Yankee Matt Lawton suspended for steroids

[Velcro]

Lawton becomes 12th suspended for steroidsAssociated Press

NEW YORK -- Former All-Star outfielder Matt Lawton was suspended Wednesday for a positive steroids test, becoming the 12th player penalized for violating Major League Baseball's policy.

Lawton, acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 27 and then left off New York's postseason roster, became a free agent last Thursday. He would serve a 10-day suspension at the start of next season.

An All-Star with Minnesota in 2000 and Cleveland in 2004, Lawton hit a combined .254 with 13 homers and 53 RBI this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cubs and Yankees. He turns 34 on Thursday.

With the Yankees, he batted .125 (6-for-48) with two homers and four RBIs, hitting a key two-run homer in a 2-1 victory over Baltimore on Sept. 21. Lawton has a .267 career average with 138 homers, 165 steals and 630 RBI in 11 major league seasons.

His positive test was the third announced by the commissioner's office since the end of the regular season, following those of Texas pitcher Carlos Almanzar and New York Mets pitcher Felix Heredia.

Players and owners, under pressure from congressmen, are attempting to negotiate a new steroids agreement with harsher penalties. Under legislation proposed Tuesday by Sens. Jim Bunning and John McCain, a first positive test would result in a two-year suspension.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig proposed in April that an initial positive for steroids result in a 50-game suspension.

Suspensions for Testing Positive

For Banned Substance

Date Player Team

Nov. 2  Matt Lawton, OF Yankees  

Oct. 18  Felix Heredia, LHP Mets  

Oct. 4  Carlos Almanzar, RHP  Rangers  

Sept. 7  Michael Morse, SS  Mariners  

Aug. 2  Ryan Franklin, P  Mariners  

Aug. 1  Rafael Palmiero, 1B  Orioles  

July 8  Rafael Betancourt, P  Indians  

May 2  Juan Rincon, P  Twins  

April 26  Jamal Strong, OF  Mariners  

April 20  Agustin Montero, P  Rangers  

April 11  Jorge Piedra, OF  Rockies  

April 4  Alex Sanchez, OF  Devil Rays  

[ChiTownBull]

crazy...not the kind of player you would expect to be on roids.

[Velcro]

You just never know these days...  you don't have to be a beheamoth (like bonds... although that is a good indicator).   Olympic athletes and cyclists are not muscle bound, usually, but they are caught/exposed fairly often.  I wish all major sports adopted the olympic testing policies.