Former MLB player, West Columbus alum Otis Nixon arrested

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A former Major League League baseball player, who grew up in Columbus County, was arrested in suburban Atlanta for a crime involving a child.

The Fulton County (GA) Jail website shows Otis Nixon, 56, was booked in Tuesday on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and permitting unlicensed person to drive.

Nixon grew up in the Evergreen community and attended West Columbus High School before a 17-year MLB career with the Yankees, Indians, Expos, Braves, Red Sox, Rangers, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Twins.

According to AJC.com, Nixon’s alleged offenses occured Sunday, records showed. Atlanta police spokesman Ofc. Ralph Woolfolk confirmed Nixon’s arrest to the AJC and said he turned himself in Tuesday night but could not provide further details. The paper reported Nixon was released from jail Wednesday after posting $2,500 bond.

Nixon suffered through highly-publicized drug problems during his playing career and since, including a suspension at the end of the 1991 season that kept him out of the World Series with the Braves.