Today in Sports History #21 - Baseball drugs scandal (February 28, 1986)
What happened on February 28, 1986 in Sports History? Seven Major League Baseball players, who are admitted drug users, were severely disciplined by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth. Penalties include year-long suspensions without pay, heavy fines, drug-related community service and career-long drug testing.
A huge scandal in Baseball these days during a time cocaine abuse was common across the country.
Who is Peter Ueberroth?
Peter Victor Ueberroth has been the sixth Commissioner of Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He took over as MLB commissioner in 1985. Caught up in the Just Say No moral panic of the era, he announced his top priority is to eliminate drugs from baseball. He was fighting for new drug agreements and mandatory random tests amongst players. He event sent players a letter urging them to submit to drug testing during the season – with not much luck! Ueberroth was at least able to discipline multiple players. He got support by clubs in the end, e.g. from the Red Sox.
Some famous quotes by Peter about Baseball:
The integrity of the game is everything.
Baseball is a public trust. Players turn over, owners turn over and certain commissioners turn over. But baseball goes on.
Other sports play once a week but this sport is with us every day.
Sources: NYY fans, New York Times, Vice Sports, Pixabay, AZ Quotes, Wikipedia
To see what happened in Sports History already - check the links below:
February 27: Baseball & Cricket
February 23: Olympics Lake Placid
February 17: Invention of the Bike
February 15: Olympic gold twice
February 12: Team Canada Ice Hockey
February 11: Mike Tyson knocked out
February 10: Mark Spitz Birthday
February 9: Volleyball invented
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