Stats on 'roids in Baseball

(By James)

Excerpt from a long ESPN story on 'roids in Baseball.  Worth a read at this link.

Steroid problem reaches critical mass in the D.R.

The numbers reveal a troubling story. According to Major League Baseball, more than half of all pro baseball players who tested positive since the start of the 2005 season -- 169 of 289, or 58.5 percent -- hail from the Dominican Republic, and that includes major and minor leagues, as well as those who play in the Dominican and Venezuelan summer leagues.

Of the 157 players suspended during this time, 37 (close to one-quarter) are from the Dominican Republic. And approximately 132 others have tested positive since 2005 in the 32-team Dominican Summer League, which generally features players just starting out in pro ball. They can't be suspended because of the country's labor laws.

How to explain it? Should we blame it on the "buscones" (pronounced boo-SCONE-ehs), baseball street agents, some of whom are suspected of starting teenage prospects on steroids to improve their ability to sell them to pro scouts? On tainted supplements and a government that allows banned drugs to be bought over the counter? On a lack of education about doping rules?

Some Stats

Since the start of the 2005 season, 157 professional players have been suspended by Major League Baseball for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Of that number, 104 players, or 66 percent, are still affiliated with their Major League franchise. Here is a breakdown by birthplace of the suspended players:

 

United States: 72 [46 percent]
Dominican Republic: 37 [24 percent]
Venezuela: 35 [22 percent]
Cuba: 3 [2 percent]
Japan: 3 [2 percent]
Mexico: 2 [1 percent]
Australia: 1 [.64 percent]
Canada: 1 [.64 percent]
Colombia: 1 [.64 percent]
Panama: 1 [.64 percent]
Puerto Rico: 1 [.64 percent]

Over the last two seasons, the Seattle Mariners organization has had the most players (13) suspended for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The Houston Astros are the only team that hasn't lost a player to suspension.

13 -- Seattle
9 -- N.Y. Mets, Texas
8 -- Chicago Cubs, Colorado, San Francisco
7 -- L.A. Angels, Pittsburgh
6 -- Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago White Sox, L.A. Dodgers, N.Y. Yankees, Oakland, San Diego
5 -- Arizona, Cincinnati, Kansas City, St. Louis, Toronto
4 -- Cleveland
3 -- Minnesota, Philadelphia
2 -- Detroit, Florida, Milwaukee, Washington
1 -- Boston, Tampa Bay
0 -- Houston

These players have tested positive twice for performance-enhancing drugs.

• Former Marlins' INF Wilson Delgado.
• Nationals' minor-league INF Ramon Castro
• Royals' minor-league INF Luis Ugueto
• D-Backs' minor-league P Angel Rocha
• D-Backs' minor-league P Chad Scarbery
• Dodgers' minor-league P Heath Totten

Pitchers make up the largest percentage of the 157 players who have been suspended over the past two seasons.

Pitchers: 87 [55 percent]
Infielders: 32 [20 percent]
Outfielders: 20 [13 percent]
Catchers: 18 [12 percent]