Former MLB speedster Dee Gordon claims he was suspended for steroids in 2016 as retaliation for refusing to give up the National League batting title the previous season to current Phillies first baseman and former Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.
Gordon appeared on the “Raw Room” podcast with former Eagles offensive lineman King Dunlap, former NFL cornerback Jalen Collins and Alex Sweet. The retired two-time All-Star alleged the league retaliated against him after he won the National League batting title (.333) with the Miami Marlins in 2015, beating Harper, who was with the Washington Nationals at the time (.330).
“I got suspended in 2016 for steroids,” the 5-foot-11, 166-pound Gordon said. “Look at me King. Does it look like I take steroids?”
Gordon said he was approached by someone who told him to lose the title, which would have allowed Harper, who led the league in home runs (42), to win two-thirds of the Triple Crown. There has not been an NL Triple Crown winner since St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Joe Medwick did it in 1937. Harper was fifth in RBIs with 99, tying him for fifth, 31 behind RBI leader Nolan Arenado.
“I’m not going to say names or anything but let me just put it like this,” Gordon said. “In 2015, they told my little black (bleep) don’t win that batting championship. I said y’all got me (bleep) up.”
Gordon alluded to Harper in the interview without saying his name, pointing to a screen out of the camera shot that was showing a Nationals game.
“It was a guy that played on that team,” Gordon said. “I’m not going to say his name. He would’ve won the Triple Crown if I let him win the batting title. On the last day of the season, I beat him for the batting title. I went 3 for 4 with a home run.”
According to an April 2016 ESPN story, Gordon tested positive for exogenous testosterone and clostebol after a spring training game in 2016, leading to an 80-game suspension without pay. After serving the suspension, Gordon played in 79 games that season, hitting .268 and stealing 30 bases. He said the impact of being suspended affected him after he returned.
“I sat my (bleep) down for 80 days, bro,” Gordon said. “That (bleep) was so crazy to hear. People call you a cheater and I’m like, bro, look at me…. I had kids afterwards. I had no (bleep) dysfunction.”
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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