In a shock to the baseball world, Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon has been suspended eighty games without pay after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Gordon’ suspension will be effective immiediately after the speedster tested positive for the banned substances exogenous testosterone and clostebol. In a statement made earlier this morning, Gordon has stated that while he did not knowingly take these substances, he would not appeal his suspension.
Marlins 2B Dee Gordon suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances, effective immediately.
— MLB (@MLB) April 29, 2016
Dee Gordon’s statement on the matter as per ESPN.com:
“Though I did not do so knowingly, I have been informed that test results showed I ingested something that contained prohibited substances. The hardest part about this is feeling that I have let down my teammates, the organization, and the fans,” Gordon said. “I have been careful to avoid products that could contain something banned by MLB and the 20+ tests that I have taken and passed throughout my career prove this. I made a mistake and I accept the consequences.”
This suspension comes on the heels of the height of Gordon’s career. In 2015 he won the National League batting title, hitting .333 and stealing a remarkable fifty-eight bases. Gordon was rewarded with a five-year deal worth $50 million this past January. He is batting .266 with six stolen bases in 2016.
Dee Gordon signed a five-year, $50M extension this offseason. He’ll lose about $1.63M to his suspension. If he stays clean, rest guaranteed.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 29, 2016
Gordon is the son of former major league pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon, and is the older brother of Minnesota Twins farmhand Nick Gordon. He is a two-time All-Star and was the recipient of the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards in 2015. Gordon is 28 and is in his sixth season in the Majors. As a result of the suspension, he will lose approximately $1.65 million in salary and will not be eligible to participate in the postseason.
This suspension is a big blow to Major League Baseball, which has to now watch one of its stars go down in flames. Gordon was one of the more popular players around the league, and his supension has called into question the stereotype that performance enhancing drugs are simply “power drugs”, improving power pitching and home run numbers.
Harsher penalties are coming. Column on Dee Gordon’s suspension for PEDs:… https://t.co/SptMNUVK8L
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 29, 2016
Now we can’t help but question how many of Dee Gordon’s eight home runs in six seasons were legitimate.
— David O’Brien (@DOBrienAJC) April 29, 2016
Main Photo:
