In his first public appearance since allegations of usage of performance-enhancing drugs surfaced, New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi apologizes to his teammates, Yankees fans and to baseball fans everywhere for letting them down last season. The All-Star first baseman, however, never uses the word steroids as he “accepts full responsibility for the controversy.”
Slugger Sammy Sosa is ejected from the game during the first inning after he shatters his bat and the broken remains expose cork. The Cub outfielder will be suspended by major league baseball for eight games (reduced to 7 after an appeal) for his offense.
2003 – In the wake of Steve Bechler’s death, Commissioner Bud Selig decides to ban the use of ephedra in the minor leagues. Players on the current 40-man major league rosters, which would have included the 23-year old Oriole pitcher who died on February 23rd, are not prohibited to use the supplement because, as union members, they are already covered by the drug-testing rules of the new collective bargaining agreement, which bans only drugs of abuse and certain illegal steroids.
The Braves trade John Rocker along with minor league third baseman Troy Cameron to the Indians in a four-player deal in return for relievers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed as well as cash. The Atlanta fireballer became a national figure after his negative comments about New Yorkers, homosexuals, unwed mothers and immigrants appeared in Sports Illustrated.
Mets P Bret Saberhagen admits to having sprayed bleach at three reporters on July 27th. He agrees to donate one day’s pay – $15,384.61 – to the Eye Research Foundation.
Reds P Tom Browning is arrested for possession of marijuana.
During a game at Yankee Stadium, Oakland OF Jose Canseco is bombarded with assorted objects by unruly fans. Included among the objects are an inflatable doll, a transistor radio, and a head of cabbage. Oakland escapes with a 10 – 8 victory, and Canseco strokes a double in four at bats.
March 30, 1991 – Dwight Gooden, Vince Coleman and Daryl Boston are accused of rape during spring training. The alleged gang rape at spring training was an enormous scandal. The police in Port St. Lucie said they’d fielded 200 calls from reporters in the 24 hours after Gooden’s name had been linked to the case….
1991 – Pete Rose is released from federal prison in Marion, IL, after serving five months for tax evasion. He will now begin the second part of his sentence, consisting of 1,000 hours of community service at Cincinnati inner-city schools.
1990 – Gambler Howard Spira is arrested for extorting money from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who paid Spira $40,000 in January. The Commissioner will suspend Steinbrenner because of his relationship with the unsavory caracter.