Author: Peter Portero

Date: 4/28/2006

Positive Tests In Minor League As Well

With all of the media and league interest in drug testing lately, one would think players who were participating in unlawful drug use would at least stop their use until things blew over a bit. However, apparently some players didn’t get the memo. There were five more minor players who were issued suspensions for positive drug tests this week.

Arizona issued the highest penalty, with the suspension of their minor league pitcher Angel Rocha for 100 games. This news probably came as no surprise to fans of the minor league team because last year Rocha was suspended for 15 games. One would wonder how long the organization will let this go on. With minor and major league hopefuls waiting for their chance in the leagues standing “clean” on the sidelines, it hardly seems fair that someone who obviously cannot stay off drugs and appreciate his opportunity is still being welcomed into the game.

The other players who were suspended were Los Angeles pitcher Karl Jelinas, St. Louis outfielder Yonathan Sivira, Mets pitcher Jorge Reyes, and San Diego pitcher Matthew Varner. These players were all suspended for 50 games each because it was only their first offense. The suspension of 100 games applies to the second offense.

Jim Bowden’s Arrest for DUI

It seems that not only players are getting into trouble these days, but so are higher positioned people in the world of sports. The latest big story was recently when Jim Bowden, the general manager of the Washington Nationals was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The police took notice of Bowden when he ran a stop sign in Miami Beach. The team was in the area playing against the Marlins.

When Bowden refused a breath-alcohol test, the officer insisted on him participating in field sobriety tests, which he ultimately failed. Bowden was immediately arrested and charged. Although Bowden was likely unaware of the law, when you refuse to participate in a breath test, you automatically lose your license for six months in the state of Florida.

As if that alone wasn’t enough drama for the evening, shortly before Bowden ran the stop sign, he and his girlfriend got into an altercation but told police everything was fine. It was when they drove off from the scene that Bowden ran the stop sign. Ultimately, his girlfriend was charged with domestic violence and she even hit the police officers several times when they tried to get her out of the car.

The Difference In Punishment For Major & Minor League Drug Use

Everyone knows there is a significant different in the level of talent between the major and minor league baseball players. One would expect the major league players to get higher salaries and better overall endorsement offers and other professional perks of the game. However, when it comes to the issue of drug use, the players are treated very differently indeed. Logic would predict that the major league players would be punished more severely when they tested positive for drug use. You would think that with the extended level of responsibility required of players in the major leagues, they would be required to act more responsibly, which includes staying off drugs.

The truth is that minor league players are punished much more severely for testing positive for drug use. A minor league player gets a suspension of 50 games for their first offense and a total of 100 for their second offense. However, a major league player can get away with much less punishment overall. Just recently the league upped the punishment from 10 days to 50 games, however every offense is considered as a “first offense” which means that if they are caught a second time, they are only suspended for another 50 games instead of the 100 the minor leaguers get.