While the Los Angeles Dodgers have a rich history of pitchers who have been part of the organization, Esteban Loaiza does not fall into that category.
Not just for falling short of matching the talent seen from Hall-of-Famers, but Loaiza fell into criminal activity. He was arrested in February 2018 after being found in possession of cocaine and charged with intent to distribute.
Authorities arrested him after finding drugs in 20 packages in a van parked at his home in California. According to ESPN, Loaiza received a three-year prison sentence:
Former All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza was sentenced to three years in prison for cocaine possession Friday.
Loaiza pleaded guilty in August to possessing about 20 kilograms, or 44 pounds, of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was arrested in February 2018.
Speaking in court, Loaiza apologized “to my family, friends, my fans” and the sport of baseball.
Prosecutors sought a sentence closer to five years, while Loaiza’s attorney lobbied for 18 to 24 months.
Loaiza pitched in the Majors from 1995 to 2008, spending time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Dodgers, Washington Nationals and New York Yankees.
Loaiza went 21-9 for the White Sox in 2003 and finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting. He was 2-6 with a 6.94 ERA in 12 games (eight starts) over parts of two seasons with the Dodgers in 2007 and 2008.
Loaiza finished a career 126-114, good for the second-winningest Mexican pitcher in MLB history. He’s due to be deported to Mexico upon completing his sentence.
