Now that New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been banned for life from MLB for his third failed drug test, many questions come to the forefront.
By Robby Sabo
I can just envision it now.
In a couple years I’ll flipping around the DirecTV channel guide (free plug – you’re welcome), and I’ll stop on Forensic Files for one distinct reason: the name of Jenrry Mejia is listed in the description.
“Wait, Jenrry Mejia,” I ask. Yes, Jenrry Mejia.
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The Forensic Files case on that particular episode will revolve around the curious case of how the former New York Mets closer wound up testing positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs for a third time by Major League Baseball.
It’ll explain how somebody very close to him, somebody he trusted with his life continually looked to sabotage the man’s life and career. I mean, because, seriously, nobody could actually fail three times on their own. Right?
The show will explain how Mejia failed these tests in one calendar year. It’ll go into detail about everything that has gone down in the life of the 26-year old righty from the Dominican Republic.
But that’s for the future, should it happen. What we know about the here-and-now is that Jenrry Mejia did, indeed, test positive for PEDs for the third time in his MLB career.
Mejia makes baseball history as the first major or minor league player to receive the permanent ban under MLB’s drug program.
Via Adam Rubin of ESPN New York:
“We were deeply disappointed to hear that Jenrry has again violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Mets said Friday in a statement. “We fully support MLB’s policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport. As per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension.”
Mejia will have an opportunity to apply for reinstatement after a year goes by, but won’t be able to appear in the majors again for at least another two years.
Mejia had 99 games left to serve on his second suspension and had been due to return to the Mets in late July.
Logistics aside, there’s a bigger question at hand.
Could Jenrry Mejia be the dumbest professional athlete of all-time?
Folks, it’s a tough list to top, let’s be honest. Many a player has shocked us throughout the history of professional sports.
From racist remarks from former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker, to the wild and unbelievable world of former Heavyweight Champion of the world Mike Tyson, to the countless number of times should-be Hall of Fame hitter Pete Rose has had in his life to get it right, Jenrry Mejia now joins this list. He now joins the list of the all-timers.
After the second suspension midway through the summer last season, I would’ve bathed myself in vinegar and holy water every day until I was back out there on that mound at CitiField.
This is why I see a Mejia-titled Forensic Files in our future. There just isn’t any other logical explanation.