Former Minnesota Twins outfielder Delmon Young was arrested on a hate crime assault charge after police say he attacked a group of men and yelled anti-Semitic epithets.

Police say the current Detroit Tiger was standing outside of the Hilton New York, not far from Times Square, when the altercation occurred at 2:40 a.m. 

A group of Chicago tourists staying there were approached by a panhandler wearing a yarmulke, the Pioneer Press said. 

Young allegedly started yelling anti-Semitic epithets at the group as they approached the hotel doors.  Police say it is not clear at whom he was yelling, but he fought with one of the Chicago group.

Police were called, and Young was arrested.  He was first taken to Roosevelt Hospital to sober up before he was booked and charged with assault in the third degree, USA Today said.

Young's arrest apparently continues an unfortunate pattern of behavior marking his and his older brother Dmitir's careers, USA Today said.  As a minor leaguer in 2006, Delmon Young tossed a bat at an umpire after he was ejected from a game, earning a 50-game suspension.

Dmitri struggled with alcohol, depression and diabetes and a domestic violence conviction before a successful comeback in 2007 resulted in a trip to the All-Star Game.

Tonight, the Tigers and Yankees square off in Detroit, the place where Delmon Young contributed five home runs in the Tiger's near-run to the World Series last season.