Baseball Criminals

[E.Banks#14]

It seems to me that there have been many current and former MLB players being charged with crimes recently, although crime has, and always will be involved in sports. So, with this in mind, I thought it would be interesting to share our knowledge of baseball players who have been charged with crimes.

Just name a player, what he was charged with, a brief description of the crime, and if possible - a date.

So I'll start:

Scott Spezio - charged with theft, general damage to property and simple assault. (Early October 2005)
Spezio and his friend, Jennifer Pankratz, got into a dispute with a cab driver over Spezio's payment. The two reached across the taxi's partition and removed the cabbie's glasses, breaking them. Spiezio also tried to punch him and stole his cell phone.

[baseball junkie]

This isn't very recent but how about the great Denny McClain -- the last pitcher to win 30 games in one season.

In 1985 he was convicted of of racketeering, extortion and drug possession and sentenced to 25 years in prison. In 1988 that conviction was over-turned on a technicality. But McClain couldn't keep his hands clean even after spending almost three years in a federal prison. In 1997 he was convicted of defrauding a meat-packing company's pension fund and sentenced to eight years of federal imprisonment. That means he must either be a free man by now or about to be one.

I'm sure it won't be long till we're hearing about him again.

[Brian McKenna]

Sam Crane was the second baseman for the National League New York Giants in 1890. He was arrested in 1889 for running away with the wife of a Scranton fruit dealer and her husband’s $1,500. The couple were living in hiding in New York under the name Morrison. Crane ultimately became a sportswriter with the New York Evening Journal for over 25 years.

[VTSoxFan]

Julio Lugo was arrested for domestic assault in 2003. He allegedly hit his wife and then pounded her head against their car window in a parking lot. After his arrest he was summarily released by the Astros. His wife later recanted her sworn statement and said he didn't really mean to hurt her, and she had made the bump on her head herself.

Brian Rekar, then pitching for the Devil Rays, was arrested in August of 2000 for domestic violence, after allegly beating up his wife in a hotel room on a road trip. I don't know how that case turned out.

[Gagne#3 8]

Will Cordero tied his wife up with a telephone cord

Vince Coleman threw firecrackers at fans

Tony Phillips was arrested for smoking crack

Darryl Strawberry
Jose Canseco and his brother
Jermey Giambi-Caught with pot at the airport
Karim Garcia and Jeff Nielsen Beating up fans at Fenway Park
Karmin Garcia (Again) and Spane Spencer Beating up a pizza boy at Spring training


NON Baseball related my favorite story of an profesional athlete getting arrested was Ed Belfour when he was a goalie for the Dallas Stars was arrested for public intoxication outside a Dallas Bar and tried to bribe the cops with a million dollars

[Zito75]

Kirby Puckett- Sexual Harrassment
Ugueth Urbina- Murder? Attempted Murder? Who knows.
Eric Davis- Drugs, Assault
Ken Caminiti- Crack
Sidney Ponson- Drunk Driving, Assault, etc.
Milton Bradley- Jailed for not paying speeding tickets; accused of assault
Carl Everett- Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Assault, etc.
Dave Parker- Cocaine
Steve Howe- Crack
Fergie Jenkins- Cocaine

[hudsonharden]

I just read that Jackie Robinson was charged and subsequently acquitted of Disorderly Conduct. Does anybody know that what, where, and when of this?

[Sean Casey]

Don't forget Rafael Furcal; he spent time last off-season in jail for DUI, and I think it might have been his second offense.

[Zito75]

There's always Pete Rose... Tax evasion, and gambling issues. (is that illegal though?)

[steveox]

Hey Zito75 what about Bert Campaneris who threw that bat at tigers pitcher back in 1972 in american league playoffs? Im suprised detrot police didnt file charges on attempted assult.

[ballparks]

I recall Luis Polonia was caught in bed with a 15 year old girl. I'm not sure if charges were pressed though.

[Mattingly]

Dwight Gooden--Nose candy, assault on his wife, wasting a HoF career, amongst other things

Dave Winfield--arrested in Toronto for killing a seagull

Fred McGriff--"Crime Dog" (slow day, I'll admit) :D
Hey Zito75 what about Bert Campaneris who threw that bat at tigers pitcher back in 1972 in american league playoffs? Im suprised detrot police didnt file charges on attempted assult.
If they did that, then they'd have to arrest Nolan Ryan for beating the heck out of Robin Ventura when he had Robin in a headlock after Ventura charged the mound.

[Zito75]

Dave Winfield--arrested in Toronto for killing a seagull



Good one, Mattingly. I totally forgot about that one. (laughs)


How about Kenny Rogers, the camerman abuser?

[trosmok]

I just read that Jackie Robinson was charged and subsequently acquitted of Disorderly Conduct. Does anybody know that what, where, and when of this?

Long before Rosa Parks made her defiant stand, or sit as it were, Jackie Robinson was charged with public drunkeness, conduct unbecoming an officer, and willful disobedience for refusing to take a seat in the rear of a bus. Jackie had succeeded in forcing the U.S. Army to accept officer candidates from the ranks of the black recruits, and had become a Lieutenant in 1943. In early 1944, he boarded an Army bus near Fort Hood, Texas and was heading toward the base in full uniform, when the racially charged incident was initiated by the bus driver who refused to drive on until Jackie moved to the rear of the bus, even though the coach was practically empty. Lt. Robinson with all his pride would not budge, the police were called, the witnesses were interviewed, and the MPs took Jackie to the stockade. He was quickly acquitted, but the incident put a smudge on his otherwise spotless service record, and he was relegated to teaching phys.ed. for the remainder of the war, instead of joining the combat in the European theater of operations as he had planned. I'll try to find the link, but there was a tremendous 1990 made for TV film, starring Andre Braugher, produced by Turner Broadcasting titled the same as my post's.

[Andrea]

Don't forget Rafael Furcal; he spent time last off-season in jail for DUI, and I think it might have been his second offense.
What's DUI???

[trosmok]

What's DUI???

Driving Under the Influence, which is similar to Driving While Intoxicated, but does not require law enforcement or the prosecution to prove anything more than the driver was impaired. In other words, if you've been drinking and decline to take a field sobriety or breath analysis, and they can't prove intoxication over the local legal limit (0.08 here), you can still be charged with the similar offense simply based on smell and appearance.

[2Chance]

Craig Monroe - In early December 2004, Monroe wrapped a $29 belt around his waist and tried to leave a department store without paying. He posted $500 bond and was released from county jail that day.

(As for Pete, the tax evasion was enough to get him prison time, but his "gambling issues" are baseball-illegal and never brought any kind of non-baseball charges.)

Other "baseball-illegal" items worth mentioning are the "eight men out" and Leo Durocher's suspension for consorting with gamblers and other underworld types.

Ruben Rivera stole teammate Derek Jeter's bat and glove from his locker after a 2002 Spring Training game, and sold them online for $2500. For this he lost his Million-dollar job-or at least $800,000 of it - and his reputation.

[Brian McKenna]

American League umpire Al Clark was terminated in June 2003 after 26 years for alleged improper use of league-supplied plane tickets. Previously, he had been questioned in a memorabilia investigation centering on David Wells signed balls in 1998. In 2004 Clark pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was jailed for four months. The ex-umpire was peddling balls that he falsely claimed were used in historically-significant games.

[trosmok]

Hall of Fame pitcher and all around nice guy Bob Gibson was arrested on Feb. 18, 2002 outside of Omaha Neb. on third degree assault charges stemming from a case of apparent road rage. Miguel Sanchez who was also charged alleged Gibson pulled out of a car lot and cut him off in traffic. Sanchez admitted he retaliated and cut Gibson off, and then was followed about ten miles where they stopped at a gas station and began duking it out. Gibson claimed he wanted Sanchez to pay for his glasses which were broken when he was cut off. Sanchez claimed Gibson suckered him and had blackened both his eyes and he had a cut above one of them requiring five stitches to close. Charges were soon dropped when the prosecution did not find any evidence or witnesses that could determine who swung first. Another driver broke them up, and afterwards Gibson left, and later had no comment about the unfortunate incident. I wouldn't want to tangle with the former Cardinals flamethrower for all the tea in China.:eek:

[bluezebra]

Don't forget "King" George Steinbrenner.

From The Baseball Almanac: "...Steinbrenner was indicted for making illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon and was later found guilty and suspended for two years."

Bob

[Brian McKenna]

Herm Doscher was expelled from the National League in 1882 for “embezzlement and obtaining money under false pretenses.” As the third baseman for the Cleveland Blues, he was cashing checks from both Cleveland and the Detroit Wolverines. Strangely, Doscher was scouting for Detroit and stocking their roster with prospects and former teammates.
He was eventually reinstated four years later and began to umpiring the following season, 1887. When his son, Jack, took the field for the Cubs in 1903, they became the first father-son duo to make the majors.

[E.Banks#14]

John Franco - questioned about ties with the Bonanno mob family. According to ganglandnews.com, "Franco has given people associated with the Bonanno crime family free tickets for Mets games and passes to visit him in the clubhouse." He reportedly did this over 10 years ago, in 1993.
I dont think there were any official charges, but it's still interesting.

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

I recall Luis Polonia was caught in bed with a 15 year old girl. I'm not sure if charges were pressed though.
Wow

I dont have any proof or anything, but a girl I know said that she saw Wade Miller at a Boston bar and he went out to the alley to have sex with a 16 year old girl. Dont know how true thi s is of coarse, and obviously no charges or anything like that.

Remember when David Wells got into that fight at a Manhatten diner or something? I dont know if he got charged with anything, but that one just came to mind.

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

John Franco - questioned about ties with the Bonanno mob family. According to ganglandnews.com, "Franco has given people associated with the Bonanno crime family free tickets for Mets games and passes to visit him in the clubhouse." He reportedly did this over 10 years ago, in 1993.
I dont think there were any official charges, but it's still interesting.
Is pretty interesting. I vaguely remember something regarding that.

[Aa3rt]

I guess that I'm a little older than some of you. Some others that come immediately to mind:

Joe Pepitone: New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves-arrested in Brooklyn in 1985 with $ 70,000 worth of cocaine, heroin, Quaaludes and a loaded Derringer.

Hank Thompson: St. Louis Browns, New York Giants. The third black man to playin the majors. Had a murder charge dismissed as justifiable homicide after signing with the Giants. Washed up at 31 in 1957, managed to have numerous scrapes with the law, in 1963 robbed a Houston liquor store and spent six years in a Texas pennitentary. Died of a stroke shortly after parole in 1969.

Ron Le Flore: Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox. Recruited out of Jackson State Prison in Michigan where he learned to play baseball while doing time for armed robbery.

Gates Brown: Detroit Tigers. Did two years at the Ohio State Reformatory for breaking and entering before signing with the Tigers.

[Brian McKenna]

gerry priddy served time for extortion of a cruise line - demanded cash or he would set off a bomb - a bomb was found on the ship

[Guerrero Mad Man 2715]

Frank Francisco (oops) got charged when he punched the Oakland fan for assualt.
Alex Rodriguez, not charged but warned not to play illegal poker.

[E.Banks#14]

Is that related to the Frankie Francisco chair throwing incident in Oakland?

[trosmok]

I guess that I'm a little older than some of you. Some others that come immediately to mind:
Ron Le Flore: Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox. Recruited out of Jackson State Prison in Michigan where he learned to play baseball while doing time for armed robbery.

Thanks, Aa3rt, nearly forgot about LeFlore; he was the subject of a film or two, and I remember reading his book.

Since you aren't as young as some, do you recall the Yankee player that was being sent down to Buffalo, got drunk aboard the chartered plane, and tried to comandeer the aircraft? Seems it was in the late forties and when he made his way to the cockpit there was a scuffle, some punches thrown, and the co-pitol bashed in his skull with a fire extinguisher, killing him. If I recall the facts, the plane made an emergency landing in Canada where the pilot and co-pilot were arrested on preliminary charges of murder. They were later acquitted, but I can't find the link anywhere.

In this week's weird news: Former minor league baseball player Mark Guerra, 33, was accused by Florida authorities of being a "ringer" (the super-athlete from outside who is imported to help the office team win), playing for the Apalachee Correctional Institution's team, which he led to victory in a Dept. of Corrections softball tournament. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Guerra in October and charged him with fraudulently accepting a $1247 "salary" as a temporary Apalachee "employee" but never actually doing any work.~by Chuck Shepherd

[Aa3rt]

Since you aren't as young as some, do you recall the Yankee player that was being sent down to Buffalo, got drunk aboard the chartered plane, and tried to comandeer the aircraft? Seems it was in the late forties and when he made his way to the cockpit there was a scuffle, some punches thrown, and the co-pitol bashed in his skull with a fire extinguisher, killing him. If I recall the facts, the plane made an emergency landing in Canada where the pilot and co-pilot were arrested on preliminary charges of murder. They were later acquitted, but I can't find the link anywhere.

Well, you're right about Casey Stengel, but it happened in 1935 when Ol' Case was managing the Brooklyn Dodgers. The player's name was Len Koenecke. He started his major league career with the New York Giants in 1932, hitting .255 in 42 games. He resurfaced with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934, hitting .320 in 123 games. In 1935 his average dropped to .283 in 100 games.

Koenecke reportedly had a bit of a problem with the stuff the wine merchants sell and his heavy drinking caused him to be released by the Dodgers while on a road trip in St. Louis. He boarded an American Airlines flight from St. Louis to Detroit and was ordered off the plane in Detroit after causing an in-flight incident. He then chartered a private plane to take him to Buffalo, and as you have already alluded to, once again became unruly on the plane, untimately receiving a fatal blow to the skull, administered by the plane's pilot with a fire extinguisher. This occurred on September 17, 1935.

For a little more information:

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/features/flashbacks/09_17_1935.stm

Leonard George Koenecke's career record:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=koenele01

[trosmok]

Thanks again; I remember my late father telling of this promising young outfielder that played here when the American Association was far more than a collection of farm teams for big league clubs to pluck players from. What a way to go, and even more tragic that demon rum played a big part of his demise in 1935, shortly after prohibition was repealed.

Some of Baseball's most notorious criminals have occupied ownership positions (see Bluezebra's post), as well as the office of Commissioner. Most recently RICO (racketeering influenced and corrupt organization act) charges were filed against Jeff Loria, David Samson, Allan "Bud" Selig, Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, Robert DuPuy, and Baseball Expos GP, Inc., because of the way the Expos in Montreal were destroyed. Unfortunately, the Judge decided it was merely a dispute between partners and was sent to arbitration who found in favor of pants on fire Loria.

I remember after Fay Vincent was ousted, Bill White was charged with some serious violations of civil and possibly criminal laws in his dealing with the group headed by Naimoli to buy the Giants and move them to Tampa Bay in 1993. From what I recall, White urged the Tampa partners to distance themselves from Vincents Piazza and Tirendi in their efforts because they had "out of town influences", meaning they were likely mobbed up. The two Vinces sued, and on the eve of Magowan being awarded the Giants franchise a settlement was reached with Piazza (Mike's dad) and Tirendi, reportedly in the seven or eight figure range.

[E.Banks#14]

-Scott Sanders and Derek Bell were arrested in New York (they were at the time playing for the Padres) in April 1994 for allegedly propositioning undercover policewomen during an anti-prostitution sweep on a Manhattan street corner.


-Derrel Thomas, who left baseball because he was involved in a high-profile federal cocaine trial in Pittsburgh in 1985, was arrested when he showed undercover agents $140,000 hidden in the trunk of a Cadillac to buy 22 pounds of cocaine (April 1992).

Thomas was coaching the Dorsey High School baseball team, and in March of that year, he watched as one of his players died after shooting himself in the head aboard a team bus.

[bluezebra]

"I dont have any proof or anything, but a girl I know said that she saw Wade Miller at a Boston bar and he went out to the alley to have sex with a 16 year old girl. Dont know how true thi s is of coarse, and obviously no charges or anything like that."

An adult having sex with a 16-year-old is COARSE, of COURSE.

Bob

[rheyer]

One of my favorite incidents...and I though Lucille was BB King's guitar:

HEADLINE: RANGERS' DAVE STEWART IS ARRESTED FOR LEWD CONDUCT

BODY:
Texas Rangers pitcher Dave Stewart, a former Dodger, was arrested this
week on suspicion of participating in an act of lewd conduct in a public
place with a transvestite prostitute, police and a Ranger spokesman said.

The arrest, near Sixth and Crocker streets downtown, was the second this
month of a well-known athlete in Los Angeles.
Olympic gold medalist Edwin Moses was arrested Jan. 13 in Hollywood,
where he allegedly solicited sex from an undercover female officer.

Police said Stewart, 27, of Grand Prairie, Tex., and Elson Tyler, 27, of
Los Angeles (who also goes by the name Lucille),
were arrested in the pitcher's car early Wednesday in an alley.

"Mr. Stewart said he was unaware that Tyler was a male until after the
arrest," Police Cmdr. William Booth said. "That was his statement, and
we have reason to believe him."

Booth, the department's chief spokesman, said Stewart, the divorced
father of two daughters, did not list his occupation on the
official arrest report. Two police officers, who asked to remain
anonymous, said Stewart was the pitcher for the Rangers.

The city attorney's office will determine what charges, if any, will be
filed. Stewart was released on his own recognizance.

Jim Small, a spokesman for the Rangers, confirmed the arrest. "To our
knowledge, it was Texas pitcher Dave Stewart," Small said.

Stewart pitched for the Dodgers in 1978-83, then was traded to Texas for
Rick Honeycutt.

~~~~~~~~

Stewart's response to the matter at the Rangers "good guy award" banquet
in Stewart's honor 2 days later:

"All I can say is good guys make mistakes, too. This is the only public
statement I will make. Thank you for your compassion. Anything else on
this matter will have to come from my lawyer."

[Mattingly]

Good one, Mattingly. I totally forgot about that one. (laughs)

How about Kenny Rogers, the camerman abuser?
Right when Randy Johnson got traded to the Yanks, all of the NY media showed that he'd also killed a bird. He reared back, threw a pitch, and right before it got to the batter, a bird flew past. I mean it was *INSTANTLY* a pile of feathers. I didn't even see anything happen but a pile of feathers, like a down pillow exploded. From what I remember, each of the batter and catcher walked away with one of those "what the heck was that?" types of looks on their faces.

I remember reading somewhere that way back between 1920-40, there was one guy who'd died in a baseball game, and I think it's the only time a player actually died during a game. Does anyone know who died, and if anybody was charged with any kind of homicide? I think he was hit by a pitch or something.

[letsgocubbies]

I believe it was Ray Chapman died by an HBP but it was an accident and so no one got charged.

[Mattingly]

I believe it was Ray Chapman died by an HBP but it was an accident and so no one got charged.
Ding-ding-ding! And the prize goes to the one who posted that! :)

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Chapman_Ray.stm
Ray Chapman is the only modern major leaguer to have died as a direct result of being hit by a pitch. At the Polo Grounds on August 16, 1920, Chapman, crowding the plate as usual, was struck in the temple by a pitch from Yankee submariner Carl Mays that barely missed the strike zone. Chapman was taken to a hospital, never regained consciousness, and died twelve hours later. Rookie Joe Sewell replaced Chapman at short, beginning a Hall of Fame career. Cleveland players wore black arm bands, and manager Tris Speaker rallied his dejected men to win the first World Championship in club history.

* * *

[plask_stirlac]

Jeff Reardon arrested for robbing a jewelry store.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&sid=ag_IducaIAEM&refer=canada

[Mattingly]

I kinda figured someone would bring this thread up once Reardon got arrested.

I'm surprised that Loria's name hasn't been added. Crime: highway robbery. :D :p

Or Bud Lite: Theft of our nation's pastime. :crazy

[trosmok]

I kinda figured someone would bring this thread up once Reardon got arrested.

I'm surprised that Loria's name hasn't been added. Crime: highway robbery. :D :p

Or Bud Lite: Theft of our nation's pastime. :crazy

See post #31, Donny Baseball.

Was there any news over the last week regarding Urgeth Urbina and his attempted murder charges? Last I heard Ozzie Guillen went to visit and said he himself would rather be dead than spend a day in Venezuelan prison.

[Zito75]

Right when Randy Johnson got traded to the Yanks, all of the NY media showed that he'd also killed a bird. He reared back, threw a pitch, and right before it got to the batter, a bird flew past. I mean it was *INSTANTLY* a pile of feathers. I didn't even see anything happen but a pile of feathers, like a down pillow exploded. From what I remember, each of the batter and catcher walked away with one of those "what the heck was that?" types of looks on their faces.

That happened down here in Arizona during Spring Training, and actually have the video clip. And you're right, it was like a mini explosion! There was nothing left.

Anyway, back to Baseball Criminals... ;)

[sandlot]

FYI, the first true skyjacking attempt had nothing at all to do with baseball or unruly baseball players. It occurred on a flight from Macau to Hong Kong sometime around 1948-49. The plane carried gold, or was thought to, and a gang tried to commandeer the flight en route. The crew resisted and the plane went down. I think there was one survivor.

[wamby]

I just read that Jackie Robinson was charged and subsequently acquitted of Disorderly Conduct. Does anybody know that what, where, and when of this?

According to Ramperstand's biography, Jackie Robinson was arrested a couple of times when he was living in Pasadena in the late 30s. His brothers also were too. Their arrests may have been the 1930s version of driving while black.

I don't have the book here with me, so I can't give a more detailed response.

[wamby]

gerry priddy served time for extortion of a cruise line - demanded cash or he would set off a bomb - a bomb was found on the ship

This made the front page of the Cleveland Press on the day my sister was born.

[Brian McKenna]

i think on of the problems j. robby faced in the military was similar to rosa parks - he would move to the back of a bus

[wingo]

Lemme see, Dale Berra and maybe another Bucco, urinating in public.
Petey Rose, some steroid-distribution racket.
Umpire Bob Engle, shoplifting several boxes of baseball cards.
Mickey Hatcher, I think, also was accused of shoplifting cards, I think.
The ever-popular Don Sutton ratted out his teammate to the CHP, so's John Candelaria could get nailed for drunk driving.
Think I heard something once about eight players being charged for throwing a World Series (or having guilty knowledge thereof).
Otis Nixon had some coke thing--don't recall whether any law enforcement was involved other than MLB.
Seem to recall Cesar Cedeno being charged with manslaughter or something.
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, beating people up.
Wilson, Aikens, Martin(?) of the Royals, et al.--coke.
Henry Cotto, impersonating a major-league player (for Bill James).
Edwin "Duke" Snider and William Howard McCovey failed to report income from card-show appearances, among others.
Seem to recall Willie Davis doing a bizarre-behavior-in-public bit, possibly after his Mom threw him out of her house.

I don't think Marichal was arrested for whacking Roseboro over the head with a bat; only a ten-day suspension for the Dominican Dandy.

re Pepitone's arrest, I seem to recall reading that he kept muttering "But I'm Joe Pepitone" over and over during the arrest.

btw, the pitcher that Campaneris winged his bat at was none other than the fabulous Lerrin LaGrow (LeGrow?). Alas, if only his pitches could avoid bats like HE could!

How about an ALL-STAR team of these folks?

[secondbase1961]

Faris Fain 1951 & 1952 AL batting champ for Phil (A)

Busted for growing pot in 1985 at age 64

[secondbase1961]

Sam Crane was the second baseman for the National League New York Giants in 1890. He was arrested in 1889 for running away with the wife of a Scranton fruit dealer and her husband’s $1,500. The couple were living in hiding in New York under the name Morrison. Crane ultimately became a sportswriter with the New York Evening Journal for over 25 years.


If you got my earlier reply, I apoligse....there was a spec on my comoutor screen, and I thought I saw 1880 instead of 1890.............sorry

[sandlot]

No list of baseball criminals could be complete that did not include a host of owners and certain commissioners.

[Brian McKenna]

If you got my earlier reply, I apoligse....there was a spec on my comoutor screen, and I thought I saw 1880 instead of 1890.............sorry

there is no excuse for joining a forum and immediately firing off rude and cowardly private messages that use the word crap and other derogatory language - and now you prove wrong - it is very easy to conduct ourselves in an unfriendly manner when we are hiding behind a computer - i suggest we all including this joker secondbase1961 conduct ourselves with some dignity and consideration of others - i would also suggest that others be leery of this secondbase1961 who obviously has some sort of character flaw and that he/she purchase a dictionary - do not contact me again

[Brian McKenna]

No list of baseball criminals could be complete that did not include a host of owners and certain commissioners.

i am unaware of any specific illegal activity conducted by commissioners - could you expound?

one was a judge
the next a politician - well ok you might be on to something
the next was a toady little sycophant
the next a general
the next a lawyer - okay i'm getting warmer
the next advised collusion - okay
the next a scholar
the next probably the most honorable of all
the next a used car salesman - ah ha!

now, the owners need little explanation

[sandlot]

i am unaware of any specific illegal activity conducted by commissioners - could you expound?

one was a judge
the next a politician - well ok you might be on to something
the next was a toady little sycophant
the next a general
the next a lawyer - okay i'm getting warmer
the next advised collusion - okay
the next a scholar
the next probably the most honorable of all
the next a used car salesman - ah ha!

now, the owners need little explanation Your list does a good job summing up the point, especially if you believe, as I do, in the existence of criminal stupidity, criminal indifference and criminal self-interest. As for the owners, well, add to the list "criminal avarice" and you'll pretty much have it. If some owners had their way, players would wear shorts like soccer teams and play with a fluorescent orange ball. And if we want to discuss really serious issues, there's been criminal racial discrimination both by league and owners, and criminal gender discrimination ordered by a commissioner and accepted to this day by owners -- including female owners. Then there was that funny arrangement involving a certain US politician who had an interest in a baseball team, no doubt perfectly legal (see "lawyer," above). Oh, and ever wondered what the history of slavery might have been if someone had thought of free agency? Rest my case.

[Brian McKenna]

your post made me think yesterday about bart giamatti's legacy - no one seems to talk about his discriminatory firings of dave pallone and pam postema - i think they rank up there with his rose entanglement as part of his legacy - tell you the truth i'm not sure why he seems to get so much favorable press - he never did much that was positive except get rid of rose - ueberroth pushed that one on him

[sturg1dj]

these players weren't arrested but I would think they were crimes


there were claims that Babe Ruth beat his wives and he drank during prohibition


there is a story that Joe DiMaggio beat Marilyn Monroe and her studio didn't want her to tell anyone because they thought it would make her look like a bad wife


Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer, Billy Martin and others were involved in a brawl at the Copacabana; Martin was traded because of it

[SHOELESSJOE3]

these players weren't arrested but I would think they were crimes


there were claims that Babe Ruth beat his wives and he drank during prohibition


there is a story that Joe DiMaggio beat Marilyn Monroe and her studio didn't want her to tell anyone because they thought it would make her look like a bad wife


Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer, Billy Martin and others were involved in a brawl at the Copacabana; Martin was traded because of it


Hmmmm... thats strange, all Yankees.

[sturg1dj]

Hmmmm... thats strange, all Yankees.

i was actually going for the top stars of their time....but yeah, what do you know they were all yanks.....weird

[HDH]

I thought Cesar Cedano killed his girfriend or something to that effect.

[FatAngel]

The Rockies(?) pitcher who put a gun in his wife´s mouth - what was his name ?

[EdTarbusz]

Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer, Billy Martin and others were involved in a brawl at the Copacabana; Martin was traded because of it

I've read that the Yankees at the Copa that night were Hank Bauer, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin and Johnny Kucks. Bauer was alledged to have beaten up a couple of drunks who yelling racist comments at Sammy Davis Jr., but Bauer said a couple of Copa bouncers actually beat the guys up.

This gave George Weiss the perfect excuse to trade Martin, who he had never liked.

[Dodgerfan1]

I've read that the Yankees at the Copa that night were Hank Bauer, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin and Johnny Kucks. Bauer was alledged to have beaten up a couple of drunks who yelling racist comments at Sammy Davis Jr., but Bauer said a couple of Copa bouncers actually beat the guys up.

This gave George Weiss the perfect excuse to trade Martin, who he had never liked.

I have also read, more than once, that Mantle was at least present, if not a willing participant, during the famous Copacabana fight.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

There was Juan Uribe, who was implicated in a shooting in the Dominican. I think he was cleared of it, although there were claims that he paid someone off.

[penguinfan]

Ron Le Flore: Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox. Recruited out of Jackson State Prison in Michigan where he learned to play baseball while doing time for armed robbery.


I was thinking about him also. There was a movie made about his story.
One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story was a 1978 made for TV movie telling the story of Ron LeFlore, a troubled Detroit youth who rose from Michigan prisons to star in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers. The movie was based on LeFlore's authobiography, "Breakout: From Prison to the Big Leagues." It follows LeFlore from his heroin addiction, to his time in Michigan's Jackson State Penitentiary, and tells of his discovery in prison by Billy Martin, who was then the manager of the Detroit Tigers. The role of Ron LeFlore was played by LeVar Burton. Former Detroit manager Billy Martin played himself, and former Tigers' players, Norm Cash, Bill Freehan, Al Kaline, and Jim Northrup also appeared as themselves. The movie first aired on CBS Television on September 26, 1978.

[Dodgerfan1]

I was thinking about him also. There was a movie made about his story.
One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story was a 1978 made for TV movie telling the story of Ron LeFlore, a troubled Detroit youth who rose from Michigan prisons to star in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers. The movie was based on LeFlore's authobiography, "Breakout: From Prison to the Big Leagues." It follows LeFlore from his heroin addiction, to his time in Michigan's Jackson State Penitentiary, and tells of his discovery in prison by Billy Martin, who was then the manager of the Detroit Tigers. The role of Ron LeFlore was played by LeVar Burton. Former Detroit manager Billy Martin played himself, and former Tigers' players, Norm Cash, Bill Freehan, Al Kaline, and Jim Northrup also appeared as themselves. The movie first aired on CBS Television on September 26, 1978.

Detroit has a history of criminal signings. LeFlore, Gates Brown, Barbaro Garbey. Then there's one of our favorite criminals, Denny McLain. Admittedly, he turned criminal AFTER his career, but he fits the mold of the other Detroit criminals.

[RubeBaker]

How about Denny Neagle- caught with a DUI and a $40 hooker.

[brewcrew82]

Whilst he is by no means a household name I recall reading about in 1983, Dickie Noles (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=nolesdi01), a pitcher for the Cubs at the time, punched a cop whilst drunk after a loss.

[Dodgerfan1]

Some others I haven't seen on this thread:

"Turkey" Mike Donlin was charged with assaulting an actress in 1902. Donlin pled guilty, claiming he was drunk and didn't know what he was doing. He got six months in jail and a $250 fine. He was also charged with several other assault-related crimes throughout his life.

In 1920, Rube Marquard was arrested for scalping WS tickets in a Cleveland hotel lobby. He was trying to sell $52.80 worth of tickets to an undercover policeman for $400. Since the city of Cleveland didn't wish to appear as though they were trying to keep Marquard out of the WS (he pitched Games 1 and 4 for Brooklyn in 1920), they fined him $1 plus costs (about $2.80) and released him.

Benny Kauff was caught stealing a car in 1919 and was declared ineligible for life. He never played again, even though he was acquitted in 1921. The evidence was overwhelming that he and his brother did, indeed, steal the car, but he was acquitted anyway. He was banned from baseball for life by Judge Landis.

Paul Hines is sometimes credited as the first player in recorded history to pull off an unassisted triple play. He also won the triple crown of hitting in 1878. After his career was over, he was arrested for pickpocketing in 1922, when he was 67 years old.

Frank Robinson was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon in 1961. He had pulled a gun during an argument with a cook in a Cincinnati sandwich shop. He pleaded guilty and paid a small fine.

After his major league career, Kirbe Higbe was caught passing bad checks and spent 60 days in a South Carolina jail. After his release, Higbe became a prison guard and was busted smuggling sleeping pills into the prison. He had hid the pills inside baseballs.

In 1968, former Red Sox star Pinky Higgins, driving drunk and out of control, ran over and killed a Louisiana state highway worker and injured three others. He was charged with negligent homicide and sentenced to four years hard labor in the Louisiana State Prison. He was paroled after serving less than two months but died of a heart attack the day after he was released.

After his retirement from the game, Maury Wills was arrested in 1983 when police found him at the wheel of a stolen car. Prior to that, he had been arrested for cocaine possession. He was cleared of the auto theft charges. The car had belonged to a former girlfriend.

John "Blue Moon" Odom - In 1985, Odom threatened to kill his wife and held her at gunpoint with a shotgun. A SWAT team was dispatched and he subsequently released his wife, however he refused to surrender to authorities. After canisters of tear gas were lobbed into the building where Odom was barricaded, he finally surrendered. He was arrested and charged with assault. The following year, he was found guilty of selling cocaine.

National League umpire Bob Engel pled guilty in 1990 to stealing seven boxes containing 4,180 Score baseball cards from a Target store in Bakersfield, CA, and of attempting to steal 50 packs of baseball cards from Costco earlier. He was suspended indefinitely by the league.

[MattD1972]

The Rockies(?) pitcher who put a gun in his wife´s mouth - what was his name ?
Bobby Chouniard - previously lost the D-Back first-ever playoff game by giving up a Grand Slam to Edgardo Alfonzo.

Benny Kauff was banned for life by Judge Landis for Grand Theft Auto (the crime, not the game)

Looking at modern crime and baseball, I am driven to quote Neil Young about the song "The Needle and The Damage Done" - "I am not a preacher, but drugs have killed a lot of great men." Maybe folks like Doc Gooden haven't died, but their lives and careers were irretrievably changed.

[Captain Cold Nose]

these players weren't arrested but I would think they were crimes


there were claims that Babe Ruth beat his wives and he drank during prohibition




Drinking during prohibition wasn't so much a crime. Selling alcohol was.

[janduscframe]

I had never checked into this site before. How about


Danny Thomas in jail on sex charges when he commits suicide.

Perhaps some of us wonder about Don Wilson. His wife did have bruises when they found her.

There's a couple names I can't remember, that Brewer pitcher that ate iguanas who was jailed in Central America for murder.

Lary Sorenson with 5 or is it 6 DUI's.

Two more I just can't recall the names of, the guy from Seattle who flashed some young girls. He appears to have recovered and had a decent career. and there was that Tiger who played one year, that was acquited of murder in Canada while bear hunting. They found his lady friend(he was married) shot dead in their cabin in 37.

Was it Alex Johnson that pulled the gun on Chico Ruiz? or do I have it backwards?

I'd call the Roseboro Marichal incident a crime.

So many of these athletes have these secret second lives. My wife's friend works for a plastic surgeon that regularly does fix up work on Mr.Blank's ho's as he calls them, in a city far from his home.. Mr Blank is a Hall of Famer and married. Yes, I realize having women on the side isn't a crime, but??

[tommybaseball]

My vote is for Bumblin' Bud Selig, the worst excuse for a Commissioner in baseball history for sticking his head in the ground like an ostrich and allowing Steroids and HGH use to ruin our great game and its record books. Like the Judas he is, Selig betrayed the trust and integrity of the game and its fans which he was supposed to uphold. But then, what would you expect from a car salesman?

[penncentralpete]

my new tee-shirt

[AutographCollector]

my new tee-shirt

Is that a real tee shirt? If so I want to buy one.
Seriously.

[penncentralpete]

Is that a real tee shirt? If so I want to buy one.
Seriously.

yes, it is a real tee-shirt. i got it on ebay a long time ago. i cannot remember the details. sorry. pete

[sturg1dj]

there should be an * on it that reads "some amphetamines"

[machinehead11]

Julio Machado is currently in a South American prison for murder

[Urbanshocker13]

Right when Randy Johnson got traded to the Yanks, all of the NY media showed that he'd also killed a bird. He reared back, threw a pitch, and right before it got to the batter, a bird flew past. I mean it was *INSTANTLY* a pile of feathers. I didn't even see anything happen but a pile of feathers, like a down pillow exploded. From what I remember, each of the batter and catcher walked away with one of those "what the heck was that?" types of looks on their faces.

I remember when that happened Randy said he was very upset by that, and it sort of freaked him out! How can you blame him, I think that would freak out anyone.Strangest thing I have ever seen in baseball!!

The film Bert Campaneris throwing that bat is probally the 2nd crazyest thing I have seen in baseball! The pitcher moves his feet and he throws the bat right at his head!!

I didn't read all the posts, so sorry if someone already said this. How about 19th century and early 20th century players? Ty Cobb alone got arrested a number of times and he acted like many of his generation. I don't remember his name right now got to look it up but wasn't there a 19th century player convected of murder? I think he was even a HOFer! That time baseball attracted alot of rough type of men so there has to be tons he lead a life of crime then!

[Urbanshocker13]

these players weren't arrested but I would think they were crimes


there were claims that Babe Ruth beat his wives and he drank during prohibition


there is a story that Joe DiMaggio beat Marilyn Monroe and her studio didn't want her to tell anyone because they thought it would make her look like a bad wife


Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer, Billy Martin and others were involved in a brawl at the Copacabana; Martin was traded because of it

I am not to sure if Babe and Joe DiMaggio actually beat their wives, but I do know they did treated them badly, Drinking during Prohibition you would have to convict a large part of the population!

Funny story about Joe D and Crime. During his 56 game hitting streak his bat was stolen out of the dugout, One story tells how he sent a couple of "guys" ("guys" who are a part of a certain Italian social club) to get it back, they got it back!

That Copa fight was a thing of legend! Billy, Whitey and Mickey where know as classic bad boys back then.

They weren't just Yankees, they are my favorite Yankees! And the most popular of all time!

[Brian McKenna]

My vote is for Bumblin' Bud Selig, the worst excuse for a Commissioner in baseball history for sticking his head in the ground like an ostrich and allowing Steroids and HGH use to ruin our great game and its record books. Like the Judas he is, Selig betrayed the trust and integrity of the game and its fans which he was supposed to uphold. But then, what would you expect from a car salesman?

Seems to me this is like blaming a cop for all the drug addicts.

I realize this offends certain sensibilities but put the blame where it belongs - on the steroid abusers - instead of one of the victims of their fraud, an executive trying to run a multi-billion dollar industry.

[Brian McKenna]

The film Bert Campaneris throwing that bat is probally the 2nd crazyest thing I have seen in baseball! The pitcher moves his feet and he throws the bat right at his head!!


This is crazier than Johnny Roseboro or Jose Offerman??

[Ludeboy]

Does Kenny Rodgers going postal on a camera man count?

[NJMetfan4life]

What about Jose Reyes? He stole over 75 bases this year.

[rkoch]

Jungle Jim Rivera was brought up on a rape charge, dont know the outcome. "Prince" Henry Oana was arrested, I think on the Mann act when he was in the PCL playing for Portland. The incident occurred when they were playing the SF Seals. I don`t buy the innuendo of an unnamed HOF`er running a string of whores in a location far from his residence.To my knowledge the only HOF`er convcted or even charged with a crime was "Pud" Galvin in the early 1900`s. He was charged with armed robbery.

[Brian McKenna]

I don`t buy the innuendo of an unnamed HOF`er running a string of whores in a location far from his residence.


I think he was talking about the guy's girlfriends, not that he was a pimp.

[Dodgerfan1]

I don't remember his name right now got to look it up but wasn't there a 19th century player convected of murder? I think he was even a HOFer! That time baseball attracted alot of rough type of men so there has to be tons he lead a life of crime then!

Urban, I believe you may be thinking of John Clarkson who, while not a HOFer, certainly had Hall-like pitching numbers. Throughout the years there have been vague allusions to him having been accused of, or rumored to have, murdered his wife in the 1880s.

Jungle Jim Rivera was brought up on a rape charge, dont know the outcome.

From the Criminals in Baseball thread: Jim Rivera - "To the best of my knowledge," said Ford Frick, "this is the first time a commissioner ever had to make a decision on a morals charge."

Frick placed White Sox outfielder "Jungle" Jim Rivera on probation for one year after he had been accused of raping a woman in Chicago in 1952. The charge was dropped by the grand jury, but Frick said Rivera would be punished because baseball had "an obligation to the public to maintain the highest standards of morality among all men who are connected with the game."

The slap on the wrist 'probation' had no effect on the number of games Rivera played. In fact, most people are completely unaware of it to this day. Rivera went on to play ten more years in the majors, with a lifetime BA of .256. He led the AL with sixteen triples in 1953 and 25 stolen bases in 1955.

[Brian McKenna]

Clarkson did not kill his wife.

The grand jury cleared Rivera in 1952 but he had served 5 years prior to that in prison for rape.

[Dodgerfan1]

Clarkson did not kill his wife.

Very likely not. I'm just saying that Urbanshocker may have been thinking of him because there is speculation out there that he may have. If you know for a fact he didn't, then that's great.

[Brian McKenna]

The grand jury cleared Rivera in 1952 but he had served 5 years prior to that in prison for rape.

After further research, this should be corrected to "attempted rape."

[Brian McKenna]

If you know for a fact he didn't, then that's great.

I'm sure his wife felt great about it too. :)

[sturg1dj]

Seems to me this is like blaming a cop for all the drug addicts.

I realize this offends certain sensibilities but put the blame where it belongs - on the steroid abusers - instead of one of the victims of their fraud, an executive trying to run a multi-billion dollar industry.

no, its like blaming the government and how it goes about fixing the drug problem for all of the drug addicts, which makes sense.

cops are just middle men who are payed to enforce the laws on the books...its the government, be it the legislative branch, activist judges, or a president and his executive orders.

[steveironcity]

Urban, I believe you may be thinking of John Clarkson who, while not a HOFer, certainly had Hall-like pitching numbers. Throughout the years there have been vague allusions to him having been accused of, or rumored to have, murdered his wife in the 1880s.



From the Criminals in Baseball thread: Jim Rivera - "To the best of my knowledge," said Ford Frick, "this is the first time a commissioner ever had to make a decision on a morals charge."

Frick placed White Sox outfielder "Jungle" Jim Rivera on probation for one year after he had been accused of raping a woman in Chicago in 1952. The charge was dropped by the grand jury, but Frick said Rivera would be punished because baseball had "an obligation to the public to maintain the highest standards of morality among all men who are connected with the game."

The slap on the wrist 'probation' had no effect on the number of games Rivera played. In fact, most people are completely unaware of it to this day. Rivera went on to play ten more years in the majors, with a lifetime BA of .256. He led the AL with sixteen triples in 1953 and 25 stolen bases in 1955.

John Clarkson is not a HOFer? HMMMMMMMM

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/detail.jsp?playerId=112369