San Francisco Giants Outfielder Melky Cabrera Suspended 50 Games for Testosterone
The San Francisco Giants lost arguably their best hitter, outfielder Melky Cabrera, for the remainder of the regular season after he tested positive for testosterone, which results in an automatic 50-game suspension.
His suspension is immediate. It will cost him the final 45 games of the regular season. He would be eligible to return for the sixth postseason game.
However, that would require the Giants, who are tied for the lead in the National league West, to a) reach the postseason and b) advance to the NLCS.
If the Giants do not reach the postseason, Cabrera will be suspended for the first five games of the 2013 season.
Cabrera released the following statement: “My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. … I am deeply sorry for my mistake.”
I give Cabrera major, major credit for admitting his mistake. The majority, if not all, of players suspended for performance enhancing drugs deny their involvement, even when it’s obvious that they’re lying. I’m looking at you, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire.
But he still made a mistake and it will likely cost him millions and millions of dollars. Cabrera was scheduled to become a free agent after the season, with the potential for a contract upwards in the six-year, $100 million range. But now I think he’ll get a deal around five years and $50 million.
It’s also going to be an uphill battle for the Giants to reach the postseason.
Cabrera was named to the All-Star team for the first time in 2012, winning MVP honors in the game. This season, he leads the major leagues in hits (159) and ranks first in the National League with runs (84). He has 11 home runs and 60 RBIs this season, and his .346 batting average is the second best in the NL.
This article was written by Bryn Swartz, the top writer for the Philadelphia Eagles and a featured NFL columnist on Rant Sports. Bryn has written more than 1000 articles in less than two years as a member of Rant Sports. His blog, Eagles Central, was named the 2010 Ballhyped Sports Blog of the Year. To read a portfolio of Bryn’s best work, click here.
