Ex-MLB pitcher dined in Malibu less than 24 hours after lover mowed down brothers, court hears

Nypost · May 02, 2026 · 567 words · By Sonya Gugliara

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/02/us-news/ex-mlb-pitcher-dined-in-malibu-less-than-2…

psychologyDetected Techniques

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Loaded Language 95% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

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Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

10 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 7

help Insufficient Evidence 2

info Single Source 1

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“Former MLB player Royce Clayton spotted ex-Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson chowing down on a burger and enjoying a beer in Malibu less than 24 hours after Erickson watched his then-lover, Rebecca Grossman, mow down two young brothers”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results from news sources (Daily Mail and others) report that Royce Clayton testified about seeing Scott Erickson eating and drinking in Malibu shortly after the incident.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of U.S. state senators.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_senators

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This list contains notable people who have been killed in traffic collisions. This list does not include those who were killed competing on closed-road events whether in motorsport or in competitive c…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_died_in_tra…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Royce Spencer Clayton (born January 2, 1970) is an American former professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Clayton

+ 3 more evidence sources

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“Clayton, 56, took the stand Friday in a civil trial against socialite Grossman and Erickson, who are facing a wrongful death lawsuit for the horrific Sept. 2020 deaths of 11-year-old Mark and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm Royce Clayton testified in a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson regarding the September 2020 deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of American films released in 2021. The 2021 release schedule includes numerous notable films that were originally scheduled for release in 2020 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 p…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_films_of_2021

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of notable twins, siblings resultant from a multiple birth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_twins

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nancy Patricia Pelosi ( pə-LOH-see; née D'Alesandro; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who was the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 2007 to 2011 an…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Pelosi

+ 3 more evidence sources

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“The pair were allegedly racing as they drove off after a boozed-up lunch when Erickson swerved to avoid the kids and their mother Nancy, who were walking in a crosswalk in Westlake Village, California.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources report the allegation that Grossman and Erickson were racing after a 'boozed-up lunch' in Westlake Village and that Erickson swerved to avoid the victims.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of novelists from the United States, listed with titles of a major work for each. This is not intended to be a list of every American (born U.S. citizen, naturalized citizen, or long-ti…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_novelists

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tournament of Champions is a national high school debate tournament held at the University of Kentucky every year in late April. To qualify, debaters need at least two bids or automatically qualify by…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tournament_of_Champion…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Scott Gavin Erickson (born February 2, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodger…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Erickson

+ 3 more evidence sources

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“While Erickson avoided a collision, Grossman didn’t, plowing into the children and fled the scene.”

CORROBORATED

Web search results confirm the factual basis of the case: Rebecca Grossman struck the children and fled the scene, while Erickson avoided direct contact.

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web search NEUTRAL — Rebecca is a 1938 Gothic novel by the English author Daphne du Maurier. It depicts an unnamed young woman who impetuously marries a wealthy widower, before discovering that both he and his household a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_(novel)

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web search NEUTRAL — Rebecca Zamolo plays the viral roblox game of Dress to Impress in real life. She uses the most popular DTI themes to create a fun and exciting competition of girls and boys.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfw8x3VR-ElcaWW2Tg_jgSA

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web search NEUTRAL — Make an appointment with Ms. Rebecca Gordon, FNP of Gilbert, AZ. Find location information or contact Ms. Rebecca Gordon, FNP here.
https://www.dignityhealth.org/ourdoctors/rebecca-gordon-1801…

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“Clayton told jurors he joined Erickson, 58, and Grossman, 62, for drinks at Julio’s Agave restaurant in Westlake Village earlier in the day”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm Clayton's testimony that he had drinks with Erickson and Grossman at Julio's Agave in Westlake Village on the day of the crash.

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web search NEUTRAL — Clayton testified that, according to Erickson, he had seen in his rearview mirror that Grossman had hit the boys. The former shortstop also told jurors he believes Erickson should be held accountable,…
https://vt.co/news/us/shocking-text-ex-mlb-star-allegedly-se…

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web search NEUTRAL — According to Former MLB player Royce Clayton, a longtime friend of Erickson. Clayton testified he had been with both of them before the crash at Julio’s restaurant. On the stand, he testified that Gro…
https://thecurrentreport.com/narrow-minded-or-nefarious-to-e…

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web search NEUTRAL — 29 that he had had wine with Erickson that day at the Stonehaus winery in Westlake Village and later reunited with Erickson and Grossman at Julio's Agave Grill.Clayton said he never went and only late…
https://radaronline.com/p/ex-mlb-player-testified-grossman-t…

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“Grossman — who was convicted of murder and is serving 15 years to life”

CORROBORATED

Web search results refer to Rebecca Grossman as a 'convicted murderer serving a lengthy prison sentence,' corroborating the conviction and sentencing.

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“Erickson, who got off scot-free after his reckless driving charge was dropped”

CORROBORATED

One source explicitly states that Erickson's misdemeanor count of reckless driving was dismissed after he made a public service announcement.

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web search NEUTRAL — Erickson-Reckless Driving. In this April 3, 2005, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter in a baseball game in Los Angeles.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scott-erickson-reckless-driving…

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web search NEUTRAL — Reckless Driving. Criminal Defense.While a victim cannot drop domestic violence charges by themselves, they can file an affidavit stating their wishes. In addition, they can recant their statement if …
https://www.matthewkoneckypa.com/blog/can-a-victim-of-domest…

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web search NEUTRAL — According to a criminal complaint charging Adam Tang with reckless driving, Tang claimed he never went over 100 mph and ran only one red light at a pedestrian crosswalk. Tang, 30, appeared Friday in c…
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/fast-manhattan-lap…

info

“Erickson also allegedly nonchalantly texted Clayton the day after the crash... “Hey dude…I’m drinking your last IPA you left here at the house…Nothing to worry about,””

SINGLE SOURCE

While web search results mention 'extraordinarily casual' text messages and the general nature of the exchange, the specific quote about the 'last IPA' is not independently corroborated across multiple distinct news organizations in the provided evidence snippets.

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web search NEUTRAL — Royce Spencer Clayton (born January 2, 1970) is an American former professional baseball shortstop.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Clayton

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web search NEUTRAL — But it is text messages Grossman and Erickson, as well friend and fellow ex-baseballer Royce Clayton that have brought renewed attention to the case, including one extraordinarily casual exchange in t…
https://vt.co/news/us/shocking-text-ex-mlb-star-allegedly-se…

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web search NEUTRAL — He mentioned that after Erickson swerved, he glanced in his rearview mirror and witnessed Grossman, now a convicted murderer serving a lengthy prison sentence, striking the children. Despite this trau…
https://totalnews.com/former-mlb-pitcher-had-a-meal-in-malib…

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“The married Grossman and Erickson were allegedly having an affair at the time of the crash.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results to confirm or deny the allegation of an affair.

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“Her husband, renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman, is also named in the lawsuit because she was driving his Mercedes when she killed the boys.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results regarding Dr. Peter Grossman being named in the lawsuit or the ownership of the vehicle.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.

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Ex-MLB pitcher dined in Malibu less than 24 hours after lover mowed down brothers, court hears

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