The San Francisco Giants' pennant hopes were dealt a stunning blow today when their left fielder, Melky ("the Milkman") Cabrera, was suspended 50 games for using synthetic testosterone. The Milkman wasn't just any outfielder: he was in contention for the National League batting title and was the Most Valuable Player in the 2012 All-Star Game.
Because the Giants only have 45 games remaining on their schedule, they'll see him again this season only if the Giants make it deep into the playoffs (and if the Giants want to take him back). And any success that the Giants may have--for example, if they win the division in a close race--will be tainted by the knowledge that their stellar first-half record was partially due to a player who cheated.
For nearly a decade the Bay Area has been the center of the baseball steroid controversy. Like a bad horror movie, the monster that we thought was dead keeps coming back. © 2012 Stephen Yuen
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