Former All-Star Loaiza arrested on felony drug charges
Esteban Loaiza was a journeyman starting pitcher over 14 big-league seasons, spending time with eight different teams over his MLB tenure. Now, he's reportedly facing felony drug charges.
Loaiza was arrested Friday and charged with intent to sell after being in possession of more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of heroin or cocaine, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department.
His court date is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 14, and bail has been set at $200,000.
This is a new one: Esteban Loaiza, drug kingpin.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 12, 2018
The second-winningest pitcher from Mexico in MLB history was arrested Friday with 20 kilos of heroin or cocaine, according to San Diego police records. He'll be in court Wednesday to face felony drug charges. Details are in pics. pic.twitter.com/312pf21Q4F
Loaiza's peak came in 2003 and 2004 when he made the American League All-Star team in back-to-back seasons. He just missed winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2003, when he went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA while throwing a career-high 226 1/3 innings with the Chicago White Sox. He finished second in voting to Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 46-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2008, tossing 27 innings between short stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the White Sox.