Two drug related suspensions have been issued in one week by Major League Baseball.
The newest 50-game performance-enhancing drug (PED) suspension recipient is Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Bartolo Colon.
Like Melky Carbrea, of the San Francisco Giants, Colon tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. He will be missing the remainder of the regular season (40 games) and most likely, depending on the A’s postseason performance, some games early next season if he signs a new contract with any team.
Also like Cabrera, Colon took responsibility for his actions, something I can respect about this situation. If you’re going to use PEDs the least you can do is own up to it and apologize.
Colon said the following in a statement released by the players’ association,
I apologize to the fans, my teammates and to the Oakland A’s. I accept responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the joint drug program.
It is unfortunate that this has become a significant part of not only baseball, but all sports. It is about winning at all costs, but these are not lessons our children should be learning. If you want to win you must work hard and achieve victory based on your skills and work ethic not because of the steroids you’re taking.