• What happened? Philadelphia Phillies reliever J.C. Romero bought a supplement at a GNC store in July. The 33-year-old Romero, who closed out two key World Series games for the defending champs, tested positive for a banned substance under the league’s drug policy.
• The punishment Months after the positive test, the league concluded that there are over-the-counter substances that could result in a positive test under the league’s drug policy. While Romero did not do anything wrong according to the league, he was still suspended for 50 games next season due to “negligence.” Romero stands to lose $1.25 million.
• Romero’s reactionRomero, who will not reveal the over-the-counter substance he bought for fear of younger copycats, doesn’t understand what he did wrong. “There is nothing that should take away from the rings of my teammates,” he said. “I didn’t cheat. I tried to follow the rules.” source

Posted by Ernie Smith • Permalink