Mets infield prospect, L.J. Mazzilli, was suspended 50 games on Tuesday for violating baseball’s minor league drug policy. Mazzilli, the son of former Met, Lee Mazzilli, tested positive for a second time for a “drug of abuse.”
The New York Times reports that baseball explains “drug of abuse” as a list that includes, but is not limited to, recreational drugs like marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy and from performance-enhancing drugs like steroids.
The 24-year old acknowledged that he made a mistake and that he let down a lot of people, “After everything my loved ones, supporters, and the New York Mets have given me, especially an opportunity to chase my childhood dream, I couldn’t be more ashamed and sorry. I am fully ready to own up to my mistake and accept the repercussions from Major League Baseball,” said Mazzilli in a statement released by the Mets.
There isn’t any mention as to what exactly the younger Mazzilli took, but because this being his second offense, he will not be paid while sits out the 50 games.
In his second pro-season, Mazzilli quickly moved up through the Mets minor league system, first starting with Class A Savannah Sand Gnats, then playing with Class A Advanced St. Lucie Mets and leaping straight to Triple A Las Vegas 51s for one game to end the season. Combined between all three levels, Mazzilli batted .301, with 29 doubles, 11 home runs, 79 RBI’s and 152 hits in 505 at bats.
A young ball player with a bright future, taking ownership for his mistakes, hopefully can come back better than he left.
David Conde
David is the Founder and Co-Owner of Legends On Deck and Co-Host of the Legends On Deck Podcast. A lifelong sports fan with a special passion for the New York Mets and New York Knicks, David has spent more than a decade covering the sports he loves. From 2010 to 2014, he served as a Senior Editor for MetsMerized Online and Mets Minors, and in June 2014 fulfilled a lifelong dream by covering the New York Mets at Citi Field as a credentialed writer. As Legends On Deck has expanded beyond baseball, David has enjoyed diving into more sports, learning along the way and sharing those stories with readers and listeners. Married for over 27 years and the proud father of two adult sons, he continues to connect with sports fans through Legends On Deck, the podcast and social media.
“The 24-year old acknowledged that he made a mistake and that he let down a lot of people”
Taking drugs is NOT a mistake. He didn’t trip and fall on a steroid needle over and over again. He did it because he wanted to.
I’m not sure exactly what he took. But your on point, when these guys are taking things they are not supposed to it only hits them hard when they caught if they would think about the consequences of it all and realize a head of time what they are doing is wrong then may be they don’t do it.
Its funny how MLB treats drugs of abuse. Especially THC. In the bigs they don’t test for THC. In the minors they do. Which is pretty amusing. So the minor leagues are like the cops and the majors like your mom and dad. I recall Dirk Hayhurst having much to say on that topic to vast amusement.
With the minors, any abuse should not be tolerated, just sends a bad message across the whole system if guys are allowed to get away with taking anything.
I guess being more strict with the younger ball players may prevent them from taking something when they get to the show.