Dominican player Bartolo Colon suspended 50 games for steroids

Once again we have a Dominican baseball player suspended for performance enhancing drugs. Bartolo Colon was busted and handed a 50-game suspension for a first time offender. That is the first time he has been convicted, not accused.

Just this past May, MLB investigated an off-season surgery on Colon's elbow. Doctors reportedly injected stem cells from Colon's back into his elbow, a procedure that did not violate MLB drug regulations. You would think he would try not do use illegal substances after that off-season, but in a statement he all but admits to the steroid use:

"I apologize to the fans, to my teammates and to the Oakland A's. I accept responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the Joint Drug Program."

I miss the days when players would at least lie and try and act like they had not been taking performance enhancing drugs. The Dominican Baseball Guy thought all along that is what the stem cells from his back that had him off to such a good season. But now I am not sure if it was the surgery or the PEDs or the fact that his is a really talented pitcher that led him to such a good year.

He has the surprising A's in playoff contention and is 10-9 with a 3.43 ERA. And he had a 20-plus inning scoreless streak this season. Now we will have to see what the A's will do without him because he will not be back until next year, because the A's are not making it to the second round of the playoffs.

Bartolo is from Altamira, Dominican Republic.

Dominican player Bartolo Colon suspended 50 games for steroids, photo by Keith Allison