Former MLB Pitcher Esteban Loaiza Facing Felony Drug Charges For Transporting 44 Pounds Of Heroin, Cocaine
BOSTON (CBS) -- Former MLB pitcher Esteban Loiaza is facing felony drug chargers after being arrested in San Diego County last Friday for transporting roughly 44 pounds of heroin and cocaine.
The 46-year-old played for eight teams during his 14-year MLB career, including the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, with bail set at $200,000.
Check out Loaiza's arrest report, courtesy of Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:
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 pitched in the majors from 1995-2008, compiling a 126-114 record and 4.65 ERA for his career. He was a two-time All-Star and is the second-winningest pitcher from Mexico, behind only Fernando Valenzuela's 173 career wins, and won 21 games as a member of the Chicago White Sox in 2003.
Red Sox fans will remember Loaiza as the losing pitcher in Boston's Game 5 win over the Yankees in Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS. The righty pitched well during that game, but was tagged with the loss after giving up David Ortiz's game-winning, RBI single in the bottom of the 14th inning, scoring Johnny Damon in the 5-4 Boston victory.