This week, it was revealed that San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano would be permanently banned from MLB because of his involvement in gambling activities.
He reportedly bet on baseball, which has historically been a death sentence for a player’s reputation and career.
Not only that, but he bet on his own team’s games, and that’s why the suspension is for life.
There are others punished, though.
“MLB announced the following suspensions for unrelated violations of MLB’s sports betting policy: Padres INF/OF Tucupita Marcano: permanently ineligible A’s RHP Michael Kelly: 1 year Padres LHP Jay Groome: 1 year Phillies INF José Rodríguez: 1 year D-backs LHP Andrew Saalfrank: 1 year,” MLB insider Mark Feinsand tweeted.
MLB announced the following suspensions for unrelated violations of MLB’s sports betting policy:
Padres INF/OF Tucupita Marcano: permanently ineligible A’s RHP Michael Kelly: 1 year Padres LHP Jay Groome: 1 year Phillies INF José Rodríguez: 1 year D-backs LHP Andrew…
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) June 4, 2024
According to CBS Sports: “MLB received data from a legal sports betting operator concerning baseball gambling activity from accounts that belonged to the above players, the league announced. Under MLB’s rules, personnel are allowed to partake in sports gambling provided that it is legal in their jurisdiction and that they do not bet on diamond sports — that is, baseball or softball. Each player violated the second part of that.”
Marcano, who hasn’t played in MLB this year while recovering from a knee injury, gambled away about $150,000 in over 400 baseball bets, so it’s fair to say he violated MLB rules.
He often placed bets involving the Pittsburgh Pirates, his former team.
The league estimates he won just over 4 percent of his baseball-related bets.
Marcano has basically thrown his baseball career away because of his gambling.
Since the other players refrained from betting on or against their teams, the suspensions will be for one year.
Sports betting has become more and more widespread in our society, but professional players can’t, or shouldn’t, engage in these activities.
If they do, they face consequences.
