Longest suspensions by Major League Baseball

The news is just getting worse for the Houston Astros. On Monday, Astros relief pitcher Francis Martes of Cotui, Dominican Republic was suspended a full season for a second positive test. Martes was caught taking the substance Boldenone according to the Associated Press, and is gone for a full 162 game season. Where does Martes rank in the longest suspensions in Major League Baseball history? Here, you will find out in our list of the top suspensions all-time in MLB.

9) Francis Martes–The Astros relief pitcher got banned for the full 2020 Major League Baseball regular season. However, it was a struggle for Marte in 2019. He only had a record of five wins and two and an earned run average of 5.80.

8) Alex Rodriguez–The New York Yankees third baseman was suspended the entire 2014 Major League Baseball regular season and postseason for violating MLB’s drug policy. The 14-time all-star and three-time Most Valuable player will forever be linked to one of baseball’s darkest eras in history. Many other players were suspended in the 2010’s for taking drugs, however Rodriguez was suspended the longest.

7) AJ Hinch/Jeff Luhnow/Brandon Taubman–The manager, general manager and assistant general manager of the Houston Astros were suspended a full season (regular season and playoffs) by Major League Baseball for the 2020 season. Hinch and Luhnow were not active participants in the Astros scheme of using technology to steal signs, but were penalized for being aware of what was going on and not stopping it. Taubman was suspended for a season for his inappropriate conduct toward women during the 2019 Major League Baseball postseason.

6) Marge Schott–The owner of the Cincinnati Reds, Schott was suspended in 1993 for her racist comments and then from 1996 to 1998 for her public support of Adolf Hitler.

5) George Steinbrenner–The former owner of the New York Yankees, Steinbrenner was suspended by Major League Baseball for two seasons (1974 and 1975) for making illegal contributions to Richard Nixon’s campaign and for obstructing justice illegally. Steinbrenner returned to baseball in 1976. Then for two and a half seasons from July of 1990 to the end of the 1992 season, Steinbrenner was suspended again. This time for hiring gambler Howie Spira to get information on outfielder Dave Winfield.

1) Chicago White Sox–Eight players of the Chicago White Sox were banned from baseball for life for taking money from gamblers and then trying to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Known as the Black Sox Scandal, the White Sox players who were penalized were Arnold Gandil, Eddie Cicotte, Oscar Felsch, Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Charles Risberg, George Weaver and Claude Williams.

1) Pete Rose–Major League Baseball’s all-time hit leader was permanently banned from Major League Baseball on August 24, 1989. Rose was accused of betting on baseball games, including his own team, while playing and managing. Rose played with the Reds, Phillies and Montreal Expos from 1963-1986 and managed the Reds from 1984-1989.

1) Chris Correa–The St. Louis Cardinals scouting director was banned from Major League Baseball for life in 2017 for hacking into the Houston Astros email system and player personnel database in 2013 and 2014. Correa was sentenced to 46 months in prison for his actions.

1) John Copolella–The Atlanta Braves general manager was banned from Major League Baseball for life in 2017 for overpaying international prospects in 2017. As a fine, the Braves were forced to release 12 players.