Baseball Season Marred by Player Disappointments and Rosters Moves

Strategic Insights -

The New York Mets' struggling pitcher, Dwight Gooden, was suspended for 60 days due to violating the rules of his drug "after-care" program. Gooden's disappointing season was exacerbated by an injured toe, which forced him to miss several starts. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers made roster moves, demoting pitcher Mike Ignasiak to make room for Angel Miranda. The Brewers also asked veteran pitcher Teddy Higuera to go to the minors, but he refused due to his contractual obligations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dwight Gooden, a one-time star pitcher for the New York Mets, was suspended for 60 days due to violating the rules of his drug "after-care" program. (Source: "New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden was suspended for 60 days by Major League Baseball yesterday...")
  • Gooden's disappointing season was marked by an injured toe, which forced him to miss several starts. (Source: "An injured toe forced Gooden to miss several starts early in the season...")
  • The Milwaukee Brewers demoted pitcher Mike Ignasiak to make room for Angel Miranda, despite asking veteran pitcher Teddy Higuera to go to the minors. (Source: "Brewers demote Ignasiak: Ted Higuera gladly took the Milwaukee Brewers' money...")
  • Higuera, who is on the final year of a four-year, $13-million contract, refused the team's request to go to the minors due to his contractual obligations. (Source: "Brewers demote Ignasiak: Ted Higuera gladly took the Milwaukee Brewers' money...")
  • The Chicago Cubs' rookie sensation, Shannon Stewart, had successful surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder. (Source: "The minors:Hagerstown outfielder Shannon Stewart, who made such a big impression at the Toronto Blue Jays' major-league spring...")
  • Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop Jose Offerman was demoted to Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League due to his poor performance. (Source: "Dodgers demote Offerman: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose Offerman, hitting .210 with one homer...")
  • Former major-leaguer Phil Niekro thinks a woman will play major-league baseball within a few years, citing the advantages of pitching in terms of physical demands. (Source: "Niekro says woman will pitch: A woman will play major-league baseball. That's the opinion of Phil Niekro, the former major-league knuckleballer...")

Statistics:

  • Dwight Gooden had a 6.31 earned-run average in seven games this season. (Source: "Gooden was 3-4 with a 6.31 earned-run average in seven games this season.")
  • Mike Ignasiak had a 5.56 ERA for the Brewers in 14 games, five of them starts. (Source: "Ignasiak is 2-1 with a 5.56 ERA for the Brewers in 14 games, five of them starts.")
  • Teddy Higuera had a 7.74 earned-run average in 27 games for the Brewers, 12 of them this season. (Source: "He is 1-5 with a 7.74 earned-run average. Brewer general manager Sal Bando asked Higuera to go to Triple A New Orleans to pitch three games.")
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers demoted Jose Offerman, who was hitting .210 with one homer and 25 RBIs in 72 games. (Source: "He wasn't hitting, and we thought we'd send him down there to regain his stroke," Dodgers' manager Tom Lasorda said.)

Sources:

  • New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden was suspended for 60 days by Major League Baseball yesterday after violating the rules of his drug "after-care" program.
  • "Brewers demote Ignasiak: Ted Higuera gladly took the Milwaukee Brewers' money..."
  • "The minors:Hagerstown outfielder Shannon Stewart, who made such a big impression at the Toronto Blue Jays' major-league spring..."
  • "Dodgers demote Offerman: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose Offerman, hitting .210 with one homer..."
  • "Niekro says woman will pitch: A woman will play major-league baseball. That's the opinion of Phil Niekro, the former major-league knuckleballer..."
  • Reuters
  • Larry Millson
  • Associated Press
  • Scripps-Howard