Long arm of the law

Arrest warrant issued for Canseco for violating probation

MIAMI (AP) -- An arrest warrant was issued for former baseball MVP Jose Canseco on Friday for violating his probation stemming from a nightclub brawl.

Circuit Judge Leonard E. Glick issued the warrant after being told Canseco has failed to begin community service, take anger control classes and not leave Florida for longer than 30 days. Those were among the conditions of his probation, as well as the payment of court costs and sending monthly reports.

"The subject does not appear to take probation seriously," probation officer Ileana Ortiz told Glick in a report. Ortiz said Canseco has been in Los Angeles since Dec. 20.

Canseco's attorney, Angel Ruiz, said his client will appear before Glick at an arraignment Tuesday. He declined further comment.

Canseco, 38, and his twin brother, Ozzie, fought two California men at the Opium Gardens nightclub in Miami Beach on Oct. 31, 2001.

Canseco agreed to the probation terms when he pleaded guilty Nov. 5 to felony aggravated battery and two counts of misdemeanor battery. His brother, who played briefly in the majors, pleaded guilty to felony battery and misdemeanor battery and also agreed to probation.

One of the men involved in the fight, Christian Presley, sued last month for at least $1 million in a civil lawsuit.

A six-time All-Star, Jose Canseco ranks 26th on the all-time career home run list, with 446. He retired in May, finishing as a .266 hitter with 1,407 RBIs and 200 stolen bases in 1,887 games with Oakland, Texas, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox.

In 1988, he was AL MVP with Oakland, teaming with Mark McGwire to become the "Bash Brothers."

 

Related information

Stories

SI Flashback: Earning straight A's Canseco brothers plead guilty, avoid prison Canseco retires, ending quest for 500 homers

Stats

All-Time Stats: Jose Canseco

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video