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Q & A with Tom Verducci Strawberry's playing days may be numbered
Posted: Wednesday February 23, 2000 05:53 PM
Following the news that Yankees designated hitter Darryl Strawberry had tested positive for cocaine on Jan. 19, CNNSI.com spoke to Sports Illustrated baseball writer Tom Verducci about the circumstances surrounding the relapse, the length of a possible suspension and whether Strawberry will ever play in the majors again. CNNSI.com: Darryl Strawberry tested positive for cocaine a month ago. Why did it take so long for the story to be reported? Tom Verducci: That is a very good question, because, it seems highly unusual that a repeat offender such as Strawberry could fail a test and the news would remain quiet for that long. I spoke with people in the commissioner's office yesterday [Feb. 22] who were hearing it for the first time. So this was not a test administered by Major League Baseball. It was apparently administered by law enforcement officials in Florida as part of his probation. And apparently the channels of communication between the law enforcement people and Major League Baseball didn't work very quickly. CNNSI.com: Does that mean that perhaps baseball's drug testing procedures aren't as reliable or frequent enough to adequately police the situation? Verducci: Obviously, it does open that question. Major League Baseball is testing Strawberry, but you would think it would do its testing in conjunction with law enforcement officials. But one of the benefits of testing -- at least from Major League Baseball's end -- is that that they are completely random. So this could be just by happenstance that a test didn't come up positive for Major League Baseball but did for Florida law enforcement officials. Maybe this does tell baseball that, especially in the off-season, it needs to tighten up its testing and do it more frequently. CNNSI.com: Should we assume that a suspension will follow? Verducci: There will definitely be a suspension. This is a third-time offense for Strawberry. The suspension will certainly be for longer than 60 days, which is generally the length imposed after a second offense. I expect him to be suspended for the entire 2000 season. CNNSI.com: Every time repeat offenders test positive the name Steve Howe comes up. But Strawberry's circumstances are different; his career probably won't last much longer. Verducci: That's what Darryl has working against him. Steve Howe committed his offenses at a much younger age. Darryl's at the point now where it wouldn't surprise me if he never plays another Major League Baseball game. If in fact he's suspended for the season, then you're talking about somebody playing next year at the age of 38 after missing an entire season. Then he can't play in the National League because he can't play defense, and he's probably finished with the New York Yankees. So now you're down to 13 American League teams, and let's face it, most -- if not all -- don't want to touch Darryl Strawberry. And there are enough decent DHs in the league. If he were younger -- 31-, 32-years-old -- I firmly believe he would get another chance. But I think now, given his history of relapses and especially given his age, I can't see anyone sticking his neck out for Darryl Strawberry anymore. CNNSI.com: Including the Yankees? Verducci: I was actually surprised George Steinbrenner took him back last season. When he signed both Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, he put them on notice. If they crossed him once, he was done with them. After last year's episode, I was surprised Steinbrenner brought him back. That's what I mean about people developing a fondness for Darryl when they know him. But I don't think Steinbrenner will stand for being crossed twice. CNNSI.com: What will the Yankees do to fill the DH spot? Verducci: It does punch a hole in the Yankees' roster, there's no doubt about that. They have no power lefthanded bat in the DH spot, or to come off the bench late in the game against a tough righthanded pitcher. It could open the door for a young guy like Nick Johnson, though the Yankees would prefer he spend most to the year in Class AAA. The Yankees, in anticipation of a Strawberry suspension, are now showing interest in Jim Edmonds. They might be willing to offer Ramiro Mendoza and minor league pitcher Ryan Bradley. CNNSI.com: Some say Stawberry's problem is a disease. Some -- Tommy Lasorda, for instance -- have been much less sympathetic. Why does someone like Stawberry keep getting so many chances? Verducci: Believe it or not, I think Darryl is a very sympathetic character. I think one of the reasons people have continued to give him chances is that deep down there is goodness about Darryl Strawberry. I know that, with the Mets and with the Yankees, he's done as much charity work with children as any player I've seen. And that includes making unannounced visits to hospitals and things of that nature. I think people who know Darryl like Darryl and root for him. Obviously he has a serious drug problem and will continue to have one. And to me, that's the scary part. The end of his baseball career is not the end of his life. But if this guy can't stay clean and sober with the support system of Major League Baseball and the structure that team sports give people, then I think out on his own and jobless becomes a real scary proposition. It seems like he's always had these relapses when he's been away from the game -- either in the off-season or during a suspension. CNNSI.com: Baseball is in another position to make a statement, much like they're doing with John Rocker, who hasn't broken any laws. Do you think the commissioner's office or the league has an obligation to make another statement? Verducci: I think the Rocker situation was different because it was unprecedented. That's why the union is appealing it -- however it turns out, it will set a precedent for hate speech by players. In this case, we've been down the road before. And this is one area in the game that the union and the commissioner's office are working on the same page. I don't think you'll see the suspension appealed by the union because there are precedents in place. In the words of Bud Selig himself, baseball has what he calls a "social
compact" with society. He has set himself up as someone who wants to
protect not just the health of the game but the way society in general views
baseball players. And that's why I think you'll see Selig come down hard on
Strawberry. I think you'll see him come down quickly on Strawberry. I expect
he's going to be very decisive with
this.
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