Giants star Melky Cabrera is in the spotlight again today for the very worst reasons. The team announced today that the 2012 All-Star Game MVP winner, who was enjoying a .346 batting average during his first season in San Francisco this year, will sit out the next 50 games after testing positive for testosterone.
In a statement released today, the 27-year-old fan-favorite told the MLB Player's Association:
My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down.
The Giants won't be commenting further on the matter, per MLB protocol. Given that there are only 45 games left in the regular season it looks like we won't be seeing Melky back on the field at AT&T Park without going deep in to the postseason. The contract discussions he was having with the team after the All-Star break are apparently on hold until the end of the season as well.
Meanwhile, local baseball scribe Grant Brisbee at McCovey Chronicles expertly summed up those fan frustrations, saying:
I have no words right now. Anger, denial, bargaining, midday drinking ... all of the classic signs of grief are wrestling around in my head. Just as the lineup was whole again, just as everything was about to click ... jeez.
Adding to the heartbreak, here's video of Melky's highlights up to the All-Star break. Ah, the memories:
