In a time where money is no object and winning is all, people will admit to almost anything. This especially applies to sports where there is often a financial reward at the end of the season. As gambling has become so popular in this era, many athletes, executives, and owners have been caught up in the betting fever. We have compiled a list of 14 high profile individuals who have been caught betting on sports. Let’s take a quick look at some of their professional histories.
Jeffrey Luettenbacher
Jeffrey Luettenbacher is a former CEO of the Santa Clara Giants and a member of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Back in February 2011, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit sports-related bribery and received a 3-year prison sentence. The judge in the case ordered him to pay over $24 million in restitution. Since he was the highest ranking executive of a Major League Baseball team at the time of his sentencing, many expected him to appeal and fight the conviction. But, that was not the case. Instead, he served his time and is now back in the Bay Area where he resides. He is also a partner in a law firm and has stated that he will not appeal the conviction. So, while some may see this as a sad day for Major League Baseball, it is in fact a great day for the legal profession. Many view Luettenbacher’s conviction as a victory for the rule of law. Regardless, the fact that he has accepted responsibility for his actions and has served his time is a positive step forward.
Randy Beckett
Randy Beckett is a former MLB pitcher who started his career with the Texas Rangers. During the 2004 season, Beckett was suspended for the first 50 games of the year for testing positive for steroids. He then proceeded to lose over 10 pounds within a week before the next season began. In 2005, Beckett was again suspended for 50 games for testing positive for steroids. While he maintains his innocence, Beckett did have a bit of a reputation for using performance enhancing drugs. But, he has since proven himself innocent and has remained active in the MLB. In fact, Beckett and his wife own a restaurant in downtown Toronto called Beckett’s Pizza. So, perhaps the steroids had some positive side effects after all.
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds is one of the greatest players of all time and the first ever to hit 5000 home runs. But, he is also known for his less-than-steroid-free days on the field. In 2001, Bonds was caught on video tape throwing his helmet after being hit by a pitch. The next day, the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article with the headline, “Barry Bonds in Video Thrilla.” In the article, they asserted that his actions on the field were due to him being affected by a steroid called Winstrol. They went on to state that he took steroids because he couldn’t stay healthy and that “Barry Bonds is fighting a battle with his body.” The fight against his aging physique and numerous injuries would eventually cost him over 20 games that year. Despite all of this, Bonds maintained his cool and never tested positive for steroids.
Billy Bean
Billy Bean is a former MLB outfielder who spent most of his career with the Montreal Expos. In October 1999, Bean was one of 11 major league players to be named in ESPN Magazine’s list of the top 100 players born in the 70s. Bean, along with his wife, Gertrude, have established the Billy and Gertrude Bean Foundation to help kids with cancer. The couple also own a restaurant in Toronto named After the Game which serves food that is both healthy and organic. So, it seems as though Bean strung along with the times and never really had a “roid” problem. But, maybe it’s just a happy coincidence that, as he entered his twilight years, he never really got obese like so many other athletes in today’s game.
Jose Canseco
Jose Canseco is a former MLB first baseman and designated hitter who ended up as a free agent during the 2011 off-season. Just like Barry Bonds, Canseco is also known for his battles with drugs and baseball officials. Canseco admitted to using PEDs in 2003 and 2004 during his playing days. In 2005, Canseco was suspended for the first 50 games of the year for testing positive for steroids. He again tested positive for steroids in 2007 and 2009. While Canseco has maintained his innocence and continues to fight the suspension, he has not played professional baseball since 2011. But, that didn’t stop him from cashing in on his notoriety. In 2012, Canseco founded a nutrition company called BODYARMOR which promotes healthy eating and supplements for sports as well as active lifestyle.
Jose Contreras
Jose Contreras is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams from 1995 to 2006. He had his best years from 2001 to 2004 when he threw a no-hitter in 2002 and struck out 12 Chicago White Sox in the same game. Contreras also earned himself a spot on the 2002 World Championship roster. But, after the 2005 season, he underwent shoulder surgery and eventually lost his spot on the White Sox roster. Since he was already in his 30s, many wondered if Contreras’ career was over. But, the pitcher had other ideas. In March 2011, he signed with the Kia Tigers of the Korean Series and helped the team reach the Finals. Then, in January 2012, he signed with the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese League where he would end up throwing a no-hitter. In July 2012, Contreras signed with the Tampa Bay Rays where he would go on to pitch in 26 games before the end of the season. During that time, he went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. In 2013, Contreras started the year with the Rays but was later traded to the Miami Marlins. There, he posted an ERA of 5.71 over 11 games before being released in June. Since then, Contreras has been working as a scout for the Chicago Cubs.
Miguel Tejada
Miguel Tejada is a former MLB first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos, the San Francisco Giants, and the Tampa Bay Rays from 2002 to 2011. As a young player, Tejada was compared to Han Solo by a national newspaper due to his unassuming nature and willingness to work hard. While he has always been a likable individual, it wasn’t always easy for those around him. In 2008, Tejada was arrested for domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend. The case was later dismissed. In July 2009, Tejada was arrested for assault after an incident in which he allegedly pointed a gun at a man who was trying to break up with his girlfriend. The case was also eventually dropped. Tejada played in the MLB from 2002 to 2011, compiling a.270 batting average with 155 home runs and 586 runs batted in. In 2012, he became a minor league infielder with the New York Mets organization. He also worked as a hitting coach for the Mets in 2013 and 2014. Since 2015, Tejada has been a special assistant to the Mets’ general manager. So, while he is no longer playing baseball, Tejada still seems to have found a way to make money from his celebrity. He is also currently developing a TV show which will be based on his life and career. In the meantime, he works as a special assistant to the Mets’ GM and also owns a bar in Brooklyn named The Dugout.
These are just a few of the famous figures who have been caught betting on baseball. Many more have avoided scandals by admitting their mistake and doing the right thing. We hope that, by sharing this information, people will be more aware of the corruption that occurs in today’s game. It is all about the money. If an owner, executive, or player expects to make a lot of money, they will do whatever it takes to make sure that they reach their goals. Sadly, there are hundreds of stories where people have lost their entire life savings, gone to jail, or had to deal with a ruined reputation. It’s all about integrity and honesty. While having a good time and watching a game is certainly desirable, people have to realize that this comes with a price. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean that it’s right. It’s time for the stigma to go away and for fans to stand up against this terrible disease that has taken over our once-proud game.