Mixed reactions to MLB doping scandal heard from around the league

Of the 13 players suspended for using an illegal substance, there are three MLB All-Stars in Jhonny Peralta, Nelson Cruz and Everth Cabrera who admitted their guilt.

Detroit Tigers’ Jhonny Peralta was one of three All-Stars suspended 50 games for doping. Carlos Osorio / AP Photo

Jim Leyland was just a minute into his pregame interview when the first — and only — question about Jhonny Peralta was asked.

That was it. Detroit's crusty manager booted reporters out of his office, saying they had been told he would not talk about losing his All-Star shortstop to a 50-game suspension on Monday.

But while Leyland was determined to keep his thoughts to himself, other major leaguers had plenty to say after 13 penalties in the Biogenesis drug scandal were finally handed down.

"Although today will be a day of infamy for MLB, it is a tremendous step in the right direction," the Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria posted on Twitter.

Alex Rodriguez received the stiffest discipline when he was banned through the 2014 season by Major League Baseball.

"This is a saga, and that's the way it's always been with him," the Los Angeles Angels pitcher CJ Wilson said.

"He just has one of those polarising personalities that people are going to be drawn to. I guess people are going to find him as a villain and stuff like that, no matter what he does."

Peralta was one of three 2013 All-Stars who accepted 50-game suspensions and admitted using prohibited substances. The others are the Texas right fielder Nelson Cruz, also on a pennant contender, and the San Diego shortstop Everth Cabrera.

"If all the allegations are true, then I'm glad they got caught and I'm glad baseball is doing something about it," Royals reliever Aaron Crow said. "It shocks me that people try to get away with it. I guess some people think the risk is worth it. It's just unfortunate that it's still going on. Hopefully this helps."

Chris Johnson, the third baseman for Atlanta, said: "We want these guys out of the game. We want all those drugs out of the game. I think there's more guys who have done it the right way than not, so I think that's why it's turning that way.

"We all knew this day was coming. But I think we're glad that it's happened."

Opinions around the majors were mixed.

The Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said even though none of his players were implicated, "it's a sad day for baseball" and "we are all affected by it".

The Twins pitcher Glen Perkins said the game is "cleaner now than it was yesterday".

Jason Giambi, the Cleveland first baseman who has his own history of using banned substances, said: "It's a bad and a good day. You're dealing with human beings and they're going to make mistakes, but the game is going in the right direction."

And one thing was certain: Monday's suspensions will not soon be forgotten.

"It's a big day and it's one of the days to be marked in baseball history a monumental day," the St Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I think overall, the guys are happy to see it kind of come to a head, be talked about today and get it over with, and just keep playing."

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