Earlier today, MLB announced that
Mike Cameron was suspended for the first
25 games of 2008 for testing positive to a banned stimulant, which Cameron claims was an ingredient in an over-the-counter supplement. Because he received the 25-game suspension instead of a warning, we know this isn't the first positive test he's had. In fact, according to the recently released book
Andy Roddick Beat Me With a Frying Pan, Cameron has admitted to playing under the influence of another -- albeit decidedly less useful -- drug in the past. Here's a conversation he had with Todd Gallagher, the author of the book, appearing on page 101-102:
It's not as common as greenies, but big leaguers have been known to step on the field liquored up. ... Almost every current major leaguer I spoke to knew of players who had stepped on the field under the influence. When asked what the signs were, the players typically responded the way Giant Ryan Klesko and Padre Jake Peavy did: 'I just knew.' Interestingly, another Padre, center fielder Mike Cameron, had a more intimate experience with game-day tipsiness:
"Sh-t, I've played drunk."
When?
"New York City."
What were the circumstances?
"I went four for four with two jacks and eight ribbies. I'm not saying that's the only day I played drunk, but that was the best one."
Did Cameron realize this was on the record? Because that's a shockingly candid answer. I did some digging -- Cameron has only had one game with eight RBI, so he must be referring to
this game against the Yankees on August 19, 2001 back when he was still with the Mariners. It was an afternoon game that started at 1:07 pm, so I'll give Cameron the benefit of the doubt that he meant he was still drunk from the night before. As for his suggestion that there were other days, well, he's on his own there. I'm going to go out on a limb and say this isn't the type of thing he wants people to be talking about the winter that he's looking for work.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. Doc Ellis's no-hitter on acid > Mike Cameron's 8 drunk ribbies
Posted at 5:17PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Pat Lackey
2. It was no secret Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle played drunk as well.
Ask any Cubbie fan (before the lights at Wrigley). Many players were
in the bars near Wrigley after their day games! Anyone remember
reading Jim Bouton's book, Ball Four?
Posted at 8:04AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Bob
3. My friend's grandfather was a bat boy for the Yankees and was always telling stories about dragging Babe Ruth from the bar to get him to the games.
Posted at 8:28AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Mike
4. Baseball sucks! It has way to many games. It is boring as hell and pays the players to much money! It's all for the money, not the love of the game! I never watch! BAseball nerds spout off stats like they mean someting, they don't! Barry Bonds and steeriods killed Baseball!
Posted at 9:02AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Ron Noe
5. What a role model!!!
Posted at 9:09AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Dave
6. hey Ron...boy, are you ignorant, as are all the
dummies that are too stupid to comprehend baseball.
don't criticize what you don't understand ya mope.
Posted at 9:20AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Clank Mulligan
7. Drunk? Heck yeah. Anybody in their right mind would have a pop or two before facing 101 mph gas in the batter's box.
Posted at 9:21AM on Nov 1st 2007 by BILCO7@AOL.COM
8. I don't understand the purpose of the story. Why publish old news. Athletes have been drinking and playing sports since the first Olympics. It is what jocks do.
Posted at 10:00AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Rich Schumacher
9. sonny jurgensen of the washington redskins used to play drunk and claimed he played better. it's really not that big of a deal and many of you out there are probably at work and drunk reading this right now. we are.
Posted at 10:25AM on Nov 1st 2007 by union of airline pilots
10. well now apparently it's confirmed he's played on "stimulants" too.
Posted at 10:28AM on Nov 1st 2007 by bowie kuhn
11. alcohol is bad, mmkay.
Posted at 10:29AM on Nov 1st 2007 by robert downer jr.
12. Didn't Max McGee (may he rest in peace) say before his accidental death from a fall that he had played the first Super Bowl drunk? It in no excuse, though, what if he'd missed that pass?
Posted at 10:31AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Mary Edmonson
13. There is absolutely no place for drugs in sports, ever, at any time, with anyone.
Posted at 10:33AM on Nov 1st 2007 by michael irvin
14. Maybe if he always played drunk, he'd be a "hall of Famer".
Posted at 10:35AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Rosiedyke
15. Didn't the late Max McGee say he played the first Super Bowl drunk? But there's no excuse for playing inebriated. What if he'd missed that pass?
Posted at 10:35AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Mary Edmonson
16. If Cameron had a game like that drunk, maybe he should drink before every game.
Posted at 10:45AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Kbaker
17. i'm a brain surgeon and i perform most surgeries while inebriated...it gives me an edge.
Posted at 10:47AM on Nov 1st 2007 by GPOSNER
18. What a sad time for professional sports. They should be arare that they are roll models for the fans and more so for the kids watching them.
Posted at 10:53AM on Nov 1st 2007 by Annette
19. Because Mike Cameron, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and countless other players have abused alcohol, they bring shame to baseball? OK, fine, but lest we not forget about all the salespeople, accountants, stockbrokers, construction workers, etc who have shown up to their "games" drunk! Sure, they are held up as examples because they're in the public eye, but they are just as weak as everybody else.
Posted at 11:21AM on Nov 1st 2007 by jimmyb
20. Suspension? Fire and Ban his azz!
Posted at 11:27AM on Nov 1st 2007 by David