Post by Coach2 on May 9, 2007 15:26:39 GMT -5
houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070507&content_id=1951346&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
If you go through all the trouble to juice and you hit .236 with no home runs, how bad does that gotta suck?
CINCINNATI -- Since Major League Baseball implemented its drug-testing program several years ago, the Houston Astros had never produced a positive test -- until Monday.
Double-A prospect Lou Santangelo was suspended 50 games without pay, effective immediately, for using a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He was informed of the positive test by assistant general manager Ricky Bennett. Santangelo is home until further notice.
"We're extremely disappointed," general manager Tim Purpura said. "We certainly made that clear to Lou. We feel like we've done a lot to educate players. Sometimes they make decisions that don't seem to make a lot of sense. Obviously, this is one of them."
Santangelo was hitting .236 (17-for-72) with four doubles and no home runs for the Corpus Christi (Texas) Hooks at the time of his suspension.
The 24-year-old catcher, a 2004 fourth-round draft pick, is in his fourth season in the Astros Minor League system. He spent a chunk of time with the Major League club during Spring Training this year, as a non-roster invitee whom the Astros were hoping would benefit from spending time with the veteran catchers, particularly Brad Ausmus.
"What's disappointing about Lou is we brought him to Spring Training this year, and we really didn't have to bring him to Major League camp," Purpura said. "We thought it would be good for his development. We thought it would give him exposure to Major League pitchers. He got to spend time with Brad. That part of it is really disappointing to me.
"He's a good young catcher, he's got a lot of upside. Frankly, I didn't think he needed to do something like that. He was on a good track as it was. Now he's hurt himself."
The Corpus Christi club will turn to catchers Kevin Davidson and Jeff Mackor to fill Santangelo's starting role while also seeking outside help. Santangelo will not be eligible to return to the team until the beginning of July. The Double-A season ends Sept. 3.
"We tell our Minor League players, every day you miss in this game is a day you don't get back," Purpura said. "He's going to lose 50 of them which is a huge, huge part of a Minor League season."
At some point during the suspension, Santangelo will be permitted to workout with the team. He will not be permitted to be in uniform for games.
Purpura said the club will probably not hand down further punishment to Santangelo beyond the 50 games.
Long before Major League Baseball began its testing program, the Astros conducted their own. For approximately 10 years, Purpura estimated, all Minor Leaguers not on the 40-man roster were subject to random testing.
They also work with the employee assistance program to provide professionals to talk to the players about the dangers of steroids and recreational drugs.
"I really think one of the reasons we had gone so long without any issues is because we've been ahead of the curve a bit on this whole topic," Purpura said. "That testing we did and education was a good deterrent. We had very few issues over the years and knock on wood we'll get back to that. Right now, it's very disappointing."
Double-A prospect Lou Santangelo was suspended 50 games without pay, effective immediately, for using a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He was informed of the positive test by assistant general manager Ricky Bennett. Santangelo is home until further notice.
"We're extremely disappointed," general manager Tim Purpura said. "We certainly made that clear to Lou. We feel like we've done a lot to educate players. Sometimes they make decisions that don't seem to make a lot of sense. Obviously, this is one of them."
Santangelo was hitting .236 (17-for-72) with four doubles and no home runs for the Corpus Christi (Texas) Hooks at the time of his suspension.
The 24-year-old catcher, a 2004 fourth-round draft pick, is in his fourth season in the Astros Minor League system. He spent a chunk of time with the Major League club during Spring Training this year, as a non-roster invitee whom the Astros were hoping would benefit from spending time with the veteran catchers, particularly Brad Ausmus.
"What's disappointing about Lou is we brought him to Spring Training this year, and we really didn't have to bring him to Major League camp," Purpura said. "We thought it would be good for his development. We thought it would give him exposure to Major League pitchers. He got to spend time with Brad. That part of it is really disappointing to me.
"He's a good young catcher, he's got a lot of upside. Frankly, I didn't think he needed to do something like that. He was on a good track as it was. Now he's hurt himself."
The Corpus Christi club will turn to catchers Kevin Davidson and Jeff Mackor to fill Santangelo's starting role while also seeking outside help. Santangelo will not be eligible to return to the team until the beginning of July. The Double-A season ends Sept. 3.
"We tell our Minor League players, every day you miss in this game is a day you don't get back," Purpura said. "He's going to lose 50 of them which is a huge, huge part of a Minor League season."
At some point during the suspension, Santangelo will be permitted to workout with the team. He will not be permitted to be in uniform for games.
Purpura said the club will probably not hand down further punishment to Santangelo beyond the 50 games.
Long before Major League Baseball began its testing program, the Astros conducted their own. For approximately 10 years, Purpura estimated, all Minor Leaguers not on the 40-man roster were subject to random testing.
They also work with the employee assistance program to provide professionals to talk to the players about the dangers of steroids and recreational drugs.
"I really think one of the reasons we had gone so long without any issues is because we've been ahead of the curve a bit on this whole topic," Purpura said. "That testing we did and education was a good deterrent. We had very few issues over the years and knock on wood we'll get back to that. Right now, it's very disappointing."
If you go through all the trouble to juice and you hit .236 with no home runs, how bad does that gotta suck?
