Cleveland beat writer implicates Bartolo Colon in PED usage

Oct 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) pitches the ball against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning in game one of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

In a regular column driven by readers’ questions, Paul Hoynes of the Daily Leader chose a rather particular response when asked if former Indians’ ace Bartolo Colon could make sense as a one-year deal for Cleveland this offseason.

"I like the way you’re thinking, but I just get the feeling that Boogie Colon, who is 40 going on 43, is doing it with smoke and mirrors and is this far away from another positive PED test. Besides, I think he’s found a home in Oakland."

Colon, who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2012, hot on the heels of the suspension of San Francisco Giants’ outfielder Melky Cabrera, has seen tremendous success over the past two seasons with the Athletics, but many thought his career was over when the announcement was made last summer.

The 40-year old right-hander went 18-6 with a 2.65 earned run average this season for the American League West champion Athletics, adding 117 strikeouts and three shutouts, as well.

Since his suspension for PED-use, there have been no reported links between Colon and any type of performance-enhancing substances, but this hasn’t stopped Hoynes from linking the success Colon has had to cheating.

Is it odd? It most certainly is. Most pitchers don’t get a second wind at age 39, as has been the case with the righty. However, that can’t be the reasoning for linking him to PEDs.

Innocent until proven guilty. That’s how it’s supposed to work, right?

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