Jose Canseco- Making a "comeback" with the Surf Dogs

[Zito75]

Couldn't help but laugh when I read that he was going to PITCH as well...

[AP Wire]

SAN DIEGO -- Jose Canseco returned to baseball Thursday when he agreed to a contract with the independent San Diego Surf Dawgs, planning to be their designated hitter and -- get this -- pitch.

The Golden Baseball League announced the deal Thursday night, saying the former AL MVP and Rookie of the Year will make his Surf Dawgs debut Monday night on the road against the Chico Outlaws.

Canseco will make his debut at 10:05 ET on July 3.

Canseco's return to baseball comes some 19 months after he attracted Congress' attention with an autobiography, "Juiced," that accused several top players of steroid use.

In March 2005, he testified before the House Government Reform committee that he used performance-enhancing drugs as a player.

Canseco didn't immediately return a message left on his cell phone.

The news release announcing the deal said Canseco will be the DH "and will showcase his knuckleball as a member of the team's pitching staff."

Canseco made one big league pitching appearance, working the final inning for the Texas Rangers in a 15-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 29, 1993. He walked the bases loaded and allowed three runs and two hits. He threw 12 strikes and 21 balls, most of which were far from the strike zone.

Canseco will be playing for the league maximum of $2,500 per month.

"We strive to provide a high quality entertainment product, and Jose will undoubtedly be entertaining for our fans," GBL president Amit Patel said in a statement.

The GBL is essentially baseball's lowest rung. Rickey Henderson played for the Surf Dawgs last year as he tried to attract the attention of a big league team.

Canseco hasn't played in the big leagues since 2001 with the Chicago White Sox, who purchased his contract from the independent Newark Bears.

[Elvis]

So I guess the Independant league doesn't drug test?

[racosun]

I'm not sure if it's still in effect, but Jose did have to take drug tests under terms of probation. Not sure if it was the incident where he and little bro Ozzie beat the crap out of some drunks in Florida or not. Regardless of his steroids use, Jose was one of my favorite players during his playing days. I have more respect for him now, since he was able to own up to his prior indiscretions and get clean. Good luck to him.

[SamtheBravesFan]

This ought to be good for a few laughs.

[Steven Bryant]

So I guess the Independant league doesn't drug test?

They test. They suspended 9 players last year for failing the test, and from the AP article, Canseco will be tested as well.

Steve

[soberdennis]

Rickey Henderson played with the SurfDogs last year.
I think Canseco actually pitched in the Majors. It may have been one of those one-sided games where the manager didn't want to waste a pitcher. I'd have to look it up.
I remember Rocky Colavito actually winning a game for the Yankees in 1968. Anything can happen.

[Astro]

Rickey Henderson played with the SurfDogs last year.
I think Canseco actually pitched in the Majors. It may have been one of those one-sided games where the manager didn't want to waste a pitcher. I'd have to look it up.
I remember Rocky Colavito actually winning a game for the Yankees in 1968. Anything can happen.

Canseco blew out his arm pitchin in a mop up situation

[soberdennis]

I looked it up. On May 29, 1993, against the RedSox in a 15-1 loss, Canseco pitched the ninth inning and gave up 3 runs including a HR to Billy Hatcher.
Lifetime ERA=27.00

More on the SurfDogs, They are managed by former Padre Terry Kennedy and play at SDSU's Tony Gwynn Stadium. The ties to San Diego are endless.

[Gamingboy]

This is gonna be FUNNY. I love the indepedent leagues.


BTW, here's the box score from Jose's pitching 'performance':

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B05290BOS1993.htm

[soberdennis]

This is gonna be FUNNY. I love the indepedent leagues.


BTW, here's the box score from Jose's pitching 'performance':

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B05290BOS1993.htm

I guess the lowlights of the game were his pitching and Mo Vaughn's play at 1b-3 errors, geez. this on the same team that once had George Scott,

[KCGHOST]

I am surprised that he is even eligible to leave the State of Florida after all his convictions down there. Maybe, they figure "good riddance to bad rubbish".

[Solair Wright]

Wait a minute, he had to have season-ending surgery in 1993, resulting from pitching during a blowout, thanks to a torn ligament. This is plain and simple: never send natural DH's or very poor throwers out to pitch. The chances of them to get hurt is 5,000x (exaggerated) more likely than catchers.

[baseball junkie]

What a tragic turn of events for one of the truly great HGH/Steriod takers of our time. I can not believe he would tarnish his legacy this way.

Say it aint so Jose!

[RedSoxVT92]

So apparently he will be showing off his knuckleball? This will be good. I just got this feeling he is going to embaress himself or get injured or something. Although he really doesnt have anything going for him, since nobody really likes him (especially the players) because he told on everyone, is in trouble with the law, and he appeared on the surrell life. But whatever, if he wants to play let him play. I bet the Surf Dogs will rack in more money than usaul with Canseco on the team.

[W_Marone]

apparently this league is one of those entertainment is the most important leagues from what I hear, you can use HGH, steroids etc. He's going to be a pitcher correct? This should be good.

[Zito75]

Wait a minute, he had to have season-ending surgery in 1993, resulting from pitching during a blowout, thanks to a torn ligament. This is plain and simple: never send natural DH's or very poor throwers out to pitch. The chances of them to get hurt is 5,000x (exaggerated) more likely than catchers.

In his book, he claims the pitching had nothing to do with his arm exploding. He blamed it on his conditioning and steroid use.

Never the less, this should be interesting. I plan on going to game in Yuma, AZ in August to watch him.

[bluezebra]

Canseco returned to baseball a few weeks ago. He was playing in a men's league in the West San Fernando Valley. Also playing in the league, but on a different team,was former pitcher (a bona fide one) Bret Saberhagen.

Bob

[sandlot]

"Knuckleball" must be an error. That should read "knucklehead."

[Brannu]

Outside of his four strikeouts ... ... he did, I believe, strike out a couple of batters. But, that's not the story.

Now he says that MLB is "The Mafia" and he is writing two more books and doing a movie that is " ...going to be devastating, no ifs ands or buts."

Funny.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[Astro]

As much as people hate Canseco, he is the main reason the drug-testing is as far along as it is

[Seattle1]

I think Canseco actually pitched in the Majors. It may have been one of those one-sided games where the manager didn't want to waste a pitcher.

It talks about that right in the article that Zito75 posted (see above).

[bluezebra]

Canseco's debut was marvelous. For the opposing pitchers, that is. He went 0-3, striking out all three times, and was hit by a pitch.

Bob

[Seattle1]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2509719

Canseco seeks trade for personal reasons

RENO, Nev. -- Jose Canseco, making his return to professional baseball in the minor leagues, has asked to be traded from the San Diego Surf Dawgs after playing one game.

Golden Baseball League commissioner Kevin Outcalt said negotiations are under way to send the former Major League All-Star to the Long Beach Armada, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported Wednesday.

Canseco asked to be traded because of child custody responsibilities that require him to be in the Los Angeles area for more time than he anticipated, Outcalt said.

"He found out today and it surprised everybody," Outcalt said Tuesday. "He has family responsibilities."

Outcalt said that the deal should be completed Wednesday to send him to Long Beach and that the only thing pending was who he would be traded for.

Canseco was signed to the Surf Dawgs on June 29 and said he would hit and pitch.

The former American League Rookie of the Year last played professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox in 2001. His last pitching stint came in 1993 for the Texas Rangers, when he threw one inning and gave up three runs on two hits with three walks.

The San Diego Surf Dawgs are in Reno for a three-game series against the Silver Sox.

[sandlot]

... and doing a movie that is " ...going to be devastating, no ifs ands or buts."

Another error? Surely that must be "... no ifs, ands or butts."