Marlins president Samson calls Gordon suspension a 'huge disappointment'

The Miami Marlins should have been celebrating a four-game sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Instead, they're reeling from the loss of Dee Gordon, the All-Star second baseman suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for taking performance-enhancing substances.

Marlins president David Samson addressed the suspension, announced early Friday morning and effective immediately, in an interview with reporters, as recorded by The Miami Herald.

"Dee Gordon is a very important part of our team, and we all love him and support him," Samson said. "That said, I do not like or condone what he did. He's an important member of this organization and will be for many years to come. It is a huge, huge disappointment. To the kids, to our fans, to his teammates, and to everyone in our organization who works hard every single day to put a product on and off the field that all of Miamians can be proud of.

"He will be back 80 games from now and will be welcomed back to this organization, but in the interim period we expect him and we are positive that he will do whatever is necessary to make it up to our fans, to his teammates, and to this organization."

Samson said the club was alerted of the suspension Thursday.

"The Marlins completely support the Major League Baseball drug prevention program in every way," he added. "That said, it is a huge disappointment and a huge loss for our team. And as I said, we love Dee Gordon, but we do not like what he did."

Much of the shock regarding the suspension among reporters and baseball enthusiasts is the fact Gordon is least known for his power, an attribute usually equated with steroid use. The slight second baseman has only hit eight home runs in his career, and set a personal best with four last year, when he won the National League batting title.

Asked if he was surprised Gordon was booked, Samson was politically correct.

"My answer is that I would be surprised when anybody is suspended 80 games."