Dominicans shaken by PED suspensions
By Armando Soldevila
Sad news hit again in the Dominican Republic, this time in the shape of a PED suspension to one of the country’s biggest stars, Robinson Canó.
Around the baseball world these events have become somewhat common. Every year in the last decade, Major League Baseball has suspended players for violating the banned substances protocol. This time is different for Dominicans.
These passionate fans have endured other PED scandals, including those of sluggers Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramírez and Alex Rodríguez and a number of minor leaguers. Most recently it was Pittsburgh outfielder Starling Marte, but there are some players you never imagine are going to be involved in what most fans call cheating.
Comments on social media showed how big the news was in the Dominican Republic. Minutes after the rumor spread thanks to a tweet by Dominican sports journalist Franklin Mirabal on his account, @elreydelaradio, Canó was the most trending topic in the Dominican.
The Canó buzz remained for days.
At the very beginning fans questioned and tried to undermine the report, which was confusing at first because Mirabal only stated that a player whose name starts with an R was suspended for violating MLB’s drug program.
After the information was confirmed by sources in the United States, the range of reactions capture the entire spectrum. Thousands of fans were in shock. Others blamed the “Dominican Way,” saying the people on the island – from the government on down to individual citizens – are used to taking “shortcuts” instead of working their way to their goals.
Some defended Canó. They noted that he was the captain of the Dominican team that won the 2013 World Baseball Classic. They mentioned that he has done plenty of charity work in his hometown of San Pedro de Macorís since the begging of his career, donating baseball gear, food, medicine, ambulances. He also built a school in his hometown.
“It caused great sadness to everyone,” said Mirabal, who broke the news. “In the specific case of Canó, total disbelief. The image of the country is damaged, and so is his image in front of the other players”.
Mirabal added that major leaguers shouldn´t take all the blame, since their entourages sometimes include people who don´t look out for their best interests.
One renowned sports commentator sent an expletive-filled rant in a tweet toward Astros pitcher Justin Verlander after the latter criticized the second basemen on social media. It was a sad and confusing moment for everyone in the country.
The biggest concern for the many fans of the ex-Yankee is his legacy. Canó obviously has put up amazing numbers. He has earned millions as a baseball player, but now he could be remembered in the same light as other players caught using PEDs.
Every time a player tests positive, they are branded for history. You can feel it even more when it happens to a special player, or to one of the greats. Everyone seems to forgive faster when it comes to average players.
Bartolo Colón is praised now for his longevity and his easygoing ways while others like Ramírez have been exiled even from conversations about the all-time greats.
It happened again!
Less than a week after Canó’s suspension was announced, Dominicans were struck again with negative PED news. Even though White Sox Catcher Welington Castillo’s 80-game suspension hurt a lot less, it put more shame on Dominicans’ shoulders.
Castillo admitted immediately that “it was his fault.” He did not try to appeal the suspension.
But it didn’t help to ease the anger of others who are simply tired of the repeating narrative.
“It has to be said bluntly: this is a scandal and it speaks directly about the poor education and lack of control on PEDs in baseball here in the Dominican Republic”, wrote Héctor Cruz, the sports editor at Listin Diario, the oldest and most important newspaper in the country. “It all starts with 12-year-old kids when they are preparing for a future in baseball.
“It is done by trainers who are not supervised by anyone, and it goes on with professional players, consuming these substances provided by their personal trainers and doctors. It is an extremely serious matter.”
Rumors about other players testing positive were a daily routine in the final weeks of May. One website announced erroneously that José Ramírez of the Cleveland Indians tested positive, prompting MLB to deny the claim. Then on Thursday, in a still unconfirmed report from Dominican journalist Franklin Mirabal, Fernando Abad – who pitched for the Red Sox last year and is currently a free agent – was expected to be the fifth Dominican suspended for PEDs this year.
Dominicans are concerned by this subject. Perhaps the government will take the first step toward controlling these substances on the island.
Major League Baseball’s office in the Dominican Republic declined to comment, saying that the subject is very delicate at this moment.
It really is.
Featured Image: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport
Correction: In a previous version of this piece, the rumor about Fernando Abad’s suspension for PEDs lacked attribution. The error occurred in editing.