April 29th, 2016 at 10:17 am 
by Ron Cervenka I had just stopped to grab a late bite to eat after having just witnessed the Miami Marlins sweep the Dodgers in four games – the first time one had done so to the other in history. As I was sitting in my car wolfing down a Jumbo Jack, my cell phone started going crazy with incoming text messages. The only time this happens is when something really really good happens … or something really really bad. After wiping the grease from my hands (as best I could), I began reading the text messages. Each of the 15 or so were the same:
“Dee Gordon was just suspended for 80 games for testing positive for PEDs”
I was no longer hungry. In fact, my initial reaction covered the entire emotional spectrum – from complete shock to disappointed to stark-raving mad.
I was shocked for the exact same reason everyone else was. How could this kid, one who is legitimately loved by everyone, have done such a thing? I was disappointed because, like so many others, I have always been a huge Dee Gordon fan and thought the world of him. In fact, on more than one occasion I have said (or written) that he is the nicest guy I had ever interviewed – bar none. And, of course, I was stark-raving mad because not only had Gordon played a huge roll in the just-completed sweep of the Dodgers, he was a cheater – a two-time All Star, a batting title winner, a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, a stolen base winner … and a cheater.
It’s probably safe to say that Dee Gordon’s next visit to Dodger Stadium won’t be nearly as warm as his last one. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
But there is one emotion that I absolutely did not feel – sad. Disappointed? Yes, But sad? Not even a little bit.
And then I waited for it. I waited for what I absolutely positively knew was coming – the “I did not knowingly take performance enhancing drugs” statement which, of course, is what Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully would call “Fertilizer.”
This time Gordon did not disappoint. As if on cue, Gordon released the following statement through the MLB Players Association (MLBPA):
“Though I did not do so knowingly, I have been informed that test results showed I ingested something that contained prohibited substances. The hardest part about this is feeling that I have let down my teammates, the organization, and the fans. I have been careful to avoid products that could contain something banned by MLB and the 20-plus tests that I have taken and passed throughout my career prove this. I made a mistake and I accept the consequences”
Add another emotion to my list – rage. Not only is Dee Gordon a cheater, he is a liar – but then, aren’t all PED users? Having been a police officer for more than 30 years – including the final 23 as a detective – I learned one very important thing about most criminals: When they say they are sorry, they are sorry about being caught, not about their crimes.
A bit harsh, you say? Check out what noted medical sportswriter Will Carroll had to say about the two banned substances – testosterone and clostebol – that Gordon tested positive for:
“While Gordon issued a statement apologizing for being caught, he also used the common trope of saying he didn’t knowingly ingest the banned substances. There are cases where this has happened, but they are rare. In this case, it’s not plausible. Gordon tested for two banned substances, including one that has never been involved in a spiked supplement. Unless Gordon can provide a supplement he took, I simply can’t believe his story.”
The irony behind all of this is that Gordon released his statement through the MLBPA, the entity that represents every major league baseball player and arguably the most powerful union in the world. Yet several fellow members of the MLBPA are also enraged with Gordon:
Sorry guys, you can’t have it both ways. We all understand that a union is obligated to represent all of its members – even cheaters and liars – but until the MLBPA agrees to more serious penalties for PED users – such as “One and Done” – PEDs will always be a part of the game.
As for Dee Gordon? Don’t feel too sorry for him. Although his 80-game suspension will cost him $1.3 million in pay, he signed a five-year contract extension (plus an option for a sixth year) on January 14, 2016 that guarantees him $50 million.
And they say crime doesn’t pay.
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Well said Ron. I honestly wish he would have just said that he regrets his actions and is taking ownership. I feel like we all got duped!
Also, he had the game winning hit last night – when did the team / league know about the failed test? Why play full game and then suspend him?
This from LA Times Dodgers beat writer Andy McCullough:
That being said, there is zero doubt that Dee planned it this way all along – to get his last licks in before biting the bullet.
There goes any respect I had left for him.
I just saw this on Yahoo news wasting some time here at work; immediately went to TBLA to see the buzz.
Very disappointed. I was just thinking last night thought it looked like the Marlins were going to sweep us I was still a huge Dee fan and wished him the best.
Now all of his accomplishments are suspect to me.
I’m in total favor of One and Done!! Or at least a major suspension,like 2 seasons or something that really hurts.
Although I’ve always been a “One and Done” advocate, I’m sure the MLBPA would never go for it – even with so many players in favor of it.
At the bare minimum, I believe that a suspended player should have to forfeit whatever contract they have and revert back to the MLB minimum for a two-year probationary period. If they have no further failed tests, then let them get whatever they can get after that. This way it hits these cheaters in the pocketbook – although the current $507,500 MLB minimum is still a ton of money, but you get the point.
I totally get your point Ron. One and done really is a fantasy but your idea is very tangible. Something has got to be done to get this under control.
When I heard this news, my main concern was for all the many Dodgers fans (and subsequent, Marlins fans) who’s hearts were about to be broken by this very disappointing news. I was not sad for Dee Gordon… not in the least bit. But the fans who have followed him throughout his career… we’re all heartbroken. And that’s what is sad.
Yes, I’m also very disappointed in Dee for his choices. I’m even more disappointed, and very upset, that he didn’t own up to such an egregious error in judgement. With all that has transpired over the last several years, what can any player gain from such wrong-doing when suspected of cheating like this? If he had aspirations of regaining even a shred of his reputation, he would have taken the high road and “owned it.” But that ship sailed and he gets no do-overs.
Unbelievable.
I wish I could be indignant at your comments Ron, but I’m not I have to agree with them completely. I too thought Dee was one of the good guys and was upset when the Dodgers traded him. I thought we’d made a bad mistake and then I thought I KNEW we’d made a bad mistake when he won the batting championship, stole a ton of bases, etc.
Now I’m just wondering if the Friedman regime had suspicions about his emergence from nearly being trade/release fodder and “sold high” on him much more literally than we thought they’d done?
Dee, you’ll likely never read this or care but you have broke the hearts of a lot of true babeball fans. And you’ve created a lot more cynics and we already have way too damned many. You’re crying all the way to the bank? Probably, you sad excuse for a “good guy”. I never thought I’d feel this way but I’m GLAD you’re not a Dodger any longer.
As one of the Dodgers beat writers pointed out, Bryce Harper finished second to Dee for the 2015 batting title, and one has to believe that Dee was juicing last year. This, of course, stinks of what Ryan Braun did to Matt Kemp in 2011.
I fully get your anger; believe me, I’ve run the full gambit of emotions on this one. And although it won’t happen until next season, Dee is going to get booed to no end when he returns to Dodger Stadium which, of course, is why he waited until AFTER this just-concluded series to withdraw his appeal.
Ryan Braun…. what a tool!! He will forever have an asterisk by his name in my mind. Absolutely no respect for that guy. Dee will end up in the same pile in my heart.
It’s like finding out your favorite uncle was molesting your sister as kids.
Now there’s an analogy I never would have come up with.
No matter how you look at it, it’s a sad day whenever we read about another player that gets a suspension for using PEDs. It looks like it will never end.
It’s never a sad day when a cheater is caught and punished Joe. How can you possibly think otherwise?