Singleton, WTF?!?

[OregonStrosFan]

Duuuuuude. Gnarly. LINK (Mary Jane strikes again...)

Houston Astros prospect Jonathan Singleton *** has been suspended for the first 50 games of the 2013 season for violating minor league baseball's drug policy.

[BizidyDizidy]

Stupid all around.

[NeilT]

Good lord!  A 20-year old has used marijuana!  Inconceivable.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Doesn't the 50 game suspension imply that this isn't his first failed test, though?  If so, that kind of stupidity is harder to excuse.

[OregonStrosFan]

Good lord!  A 20-year old (who knows he is required to submit random drug tests) has used marijuana!  Inconceivable.

Inconceivable now (edits in itals)?!?

[OregonStrosFan]

Doesn't the 50 game suspension imply that this isn't his first failed test, though?  If so, that kind of stupidity is harder to excuse.

IIRC, 1st time MiLB suspensions are all 50 games now (I think 'drug of abuse' used to be 25 for 1st time offense though).  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

ETA: Actually, I'm not sure the above is correct and will try to update later.

[MusicMan]

Quite the day for our Astros.

[NeilT]

I've read that a young male's cerebral cortex isn't fully developed until they're well into their 20s.  I was surprised to learn that they had brains.

[MusicMan]

Am I correct that if he had been on the 40-man, the MLB rules would have applied?

[Ron Brand]

Brett Wallace contemplates his celebratory dragon.

[OregonStrosFan]

Doesn't the 50 game suspension imply that this isn't his first failed test, though?  If so, that kind of stupidity is harder to excuse.

Crasnick (via Twitter):

Yes, it was Singleton's second failed test. RT @jtep24 @ChrisBranchTNJ @KevinCooney does this mean it was his second offense?

[Reuben]

Luhnow statement:
“We learned today that Jonathan Singleton has tested positive for a drug of abuse and has been suspended 50 games as a result.  We are disappointed in the decisions that Jonathan made leading up to this positive test.  Jonathan has expressed regret for his decision and we expect will take the necessary steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again.  He has owned up to his actions and that is a necessary first step.  The Astros will support Jonathan through this difficult time and we hope this example will prevent other athletes from making similar decisions.”

Honestly, I don't quite understand why they test for weed. Is it really a "drug of abuse"? In any case, very very stupid on his part.

[OregonStrosFan]

Luhnow statement:
“...We are disappointed in the decisions that Jonathan made leading up to this positive test.  Jonathan has expressed regret for his decision and we expect will take the necessary steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again...."

Considering a 50-game suspension means he's failed his second test, seems like they were a little late in making sure it didn't happen again...  (Though I now understand that Cecil Cooper has guaranteed that it 'Won't Happen Again'...).

[moriartp]

Honestly, I don't quite understand why they test for weed. Is it really a "drug of abuse"?

It's such a dangerous drug that MLB players don't even get tested for it.

[Mr. Happy]

Dumb. Overflowing. However, he's still a kid, but he needs to own up to responsibility and come through his consequences with his head up and be determined to not fail again. He's apparently never had any significant consequences before until now.

[Reuben]

Considering a 50-game suspension means he's failed his second test, seems like they were a little late in making sure it didn't happen again...  (Though I now understand that Cecil Cooper has guaranteed that it 'Won't Happen Again'...).

So did he serve a 25-game for his first offense, and/or do we know when that was? Or is it warning then 50 games? Either way, seems extreme to me.

[Bench]

There goes his shot at the hall of fame.

[moriartp]

So did he serve a 25-game for his first offense, and/or do we know when that was? Or is it warning then 50 games? Either way, seems extreme to me.

No suspension until a second failed test, I believe.

[BizidyDizidy]

Ali G's perspective

[Jose Cruz III]

Another year of club control.

[Ebby Calvin]

Stupid, considering it was his second failed test.  But 50 games for pot?  Really?

[moriartp]

Another year of club control.

It guarantees it, I suppose, but there was no chance they'd have brought him up before that cutoff anyway.

[juliogotay]

It guarantees it, I suppose, but there was no chance they'd have brought him up before that cutoff anyway.

I doubt we'll see him at all in '13 in Houston now. Maybe September call-up.

[Duman]

MILB guys can be random drug tested at any time year round.  Here is a very good first hand account of what that can be like for a MILB player.

[OregonStrosFan]

SB Nation discusses the Singleton suspension rules : LINK (h/t Astros County)

[astrosfan76]

SB Nation discusses the Singleton suspension rules : LINK (h/t Astros County)

Except that they don't discuss that since Singleton isn't a member of the MLBPA, he's not subject to the rules that are laid out.

[Duman]

Go to love this response in the comments when someone points that out to him:

Ah.

That makes a ton of sense. Standing down.

by Grant Brisbee on Jan 10, 2013 2:25 PM EST

followed by

This wasn't one of my best articles, even though I tried to do research.

Noted for next time. Making shit up works better for me.

by Grant Brisbee on Jan 10, 2013 2:53 PM EST

which was greeted by this great you tube clip by the guy who pointed it out to him.

[roadrunner]

Brisbee is actually really good.  He's mainly Giants-focused, but he provides commentary on all of baseball and is generally very entertaining and pretty thoughtful.

[Fredia]

talk about  blowing your ride can you spell say think stupid