The Padres have told Brian and Marcus Giles they are no longer welcome at official alumni events due to concerns over their involvement in past incidents of domestic violence.

The team said the decision was made in response to objections voiced by some fans after the brothers participated in an alumni softball game last week at NAS North Island.

“We understand the frustrations and concerns of our fans regarding the alumni softball game,” the team said Wednesday in a statement to the Union-Tribune. “The issue has been addressed and new procedures are in place as to who will be invited to participate in the future.”

The Padres reached out to the Giles brothers Tuesday to inform them of the decision.


“I understand the politically motivated environment we’re living in these days,” Brian Giles said. “It’s their business. It’s their organization. They have to do what they see fit.”

Marcus Giles did not return a message.

“I don’t think he’ll have a response,” Brian Giles said.

Brian Giles pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of domestic violence in 2006 stemming from an incident caught on surveillance video, which appeared to show Giles throwing his then-fiancee Cheri Olvera to the ground. Giles underwent anger-management counseling as part of his plea agreement, and the case was later dropped.


Giles, who maintains his innocence, was not punished by the Padres or Major League Baseball.

In 2011, a San Diego jury denied Olvera’s $10 million lawsuit against Giles claiming he had promised to provide for her after they broke off their engagement. Giles countersued, alleging she had committed domestic violence against him. The jury found both parties committed domestic violence, but no damages were awarded. One juror said afterward that two sides’ claims of domestic violence “canceled each other out.”

Giles said Wednesday he did not want to “re-litigate” the case.

“There’s not much you can really do,” he said. “You have people that like Brian Giles, love Brian Giles. Those people have never wavered. You do have people that don’t like you and are never going to like you. If there’s a lesson I learned from my dad, it’s worry about the things you can control. I can’t worry about those people that don’t like me and don’t have all the facts in this case.”


Marcus Giles pleaded guilty in 2010 to a misdemeanor charge of battery against his wife. The charge stemmed from an incident in which his wife made a citizen’s arrest after an argument in which both were intoxicated. Giles’ attorney at the time said there was “no indication she had been struck, hit, nothing.” Giles was sentenced to three years’ probation and a year of counseling.

Brian Giles played for the Padres from 2003-09. Marcus Giles played for the Padres in 2007, the last of his seven seasons in the major leagues. Both men grew up in El Cajon and graduated from Granite Hills High.

According to the Padres, both have taken part in alumni events for nearly a decade.

The team said it was questioned last week by a group of fans about its relationship with the Giles brothers and after some discussion decided to sever its official ties with them. The Padres also have initiated a review of their policies and procedures regarding a review of which alumni participate in team events.


kevin.acee@sduniontribune.com