When former MLB star David Justice looks back on the short-lived marriage to Halle Berry, it is with a heavy mix of hindsight, regret, and frustration. Their romance was a whirlwind from the beginning. As per Justice, Berry popped the question just five months into dating, catching the former MLB star completely off guard. “I couldn’t say no,” Justice said on All the Smoke with Matt Barnes. “We were vibing. It was the honeymoon phase”, he added. So, in January 1993, the 2 tied the knot. However, cracks quickly appeared, and not the kind that can be patched easily, although Justice now thinks therapy could have saved them.
It was not scandal and infidelity that drove them apart. In fact, David Justice insists there were no cheating issues between the 2. Instead, the star admitted that youthful immaturity, clashing expectations, and lack of mental depth doomed the marriage. Justice was a traditional Midwestern individual expecting a “cook, clean, stay-home” kind of wife. On the contrary, Berry was a rising Hollywood star with her own path. The two were separated by work and lifestyle, eventually becoming strangers under the same roof.
Still, what really left a scar on David Justice was not the breakup itself, however the thought process that came after.
After the former Yankees and Braves star initiated their split in 1996, rumors began swirling—specifically when Berry later opened up publicly related to an abusive relationship that left her partially deaf in one ear. Though Berry never provided any name, the public quickly pointed fingers at Justice. For almost three decades, the star has been trying to shake off that assumption.
“The most painful thing,” Justice said, “is she let the world think it was me. And I never appreciated that.”
David Justice clarified that he was not the one who caused Berry’s hearing loss and claimed she had told him the real abuser was a former Hollywood boyfriend, though she has never confirmed this. Yet, by not publicly clearing Justice’s name, he feels Berry allowed the court of public opinion to cast the MLB stat as the villain.
“I didn’t hit her. I didn’t abuse her. But she didn’t speak up to stop the lie”, Justice said, noting that her silence let the “machine” of Hollywood bury Justice under the weight of a story he says was not his.
He then admitted that he did not handle the breakup well either, confessing that he ghosted her mentally after leaving. No slow fade. No closure. Just gone.
“I should’ve handled that better,” Justice said, pausing to acknowledge how deeply Berry could have loved the former Braves star and how deeply he hurt her. “I was just too young to understand it all”, he added.
Image: ESPN
While Justice’s personal life has drawn headlines in current months, his on-field legacy and post-playing career contributions tell a story of leadership, mentorship and giving back to the game. The star’s current role is proof that his effect in MLB extends far beyond his playing days.
David Justice’s role in the HBCU Swingman classic
Stepping back into the baseball spotlight, David Justice has been named manager of the AL team for the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic. The event, held at the period of MLB All-Star Week, showcases the best talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and provides young athletes a platform to shine on a national stage. Justice, the two-time World Series champion and three-time All-Star, brings his experience and competitive edge to the dugout—qualities that could inspire the next generation of stars.
However, this role is more than just related to strategy and wins. His participation highlights his dedication to uplifting underrepresented communities within baseball. Sharing the field with other legends and HBCU alumni, Justice is in a place to pass down hard-earned lessons related to perseverance, professionalism and seizing opportunities when they come. For the stars under his guidance, this is a rare chance to learn directly from someone who has been to the top of the game and knows the path it takes to get there.
Credit: batterypower.com.
Justice’s candid reflection provides a rare glimpse into the challenges that can unravel the most glamorous relationships. By owning his role in their split, the star paints a picture of growth through hard-earned lessons. Justice’s story is a reminder that love alone is not enough—mutual understanding, compromise and mental maturity are what truly hold a marriage together.
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