Houston Astros fans were quick to point out the hypocrisy of Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano, who was just suspended for PEDs.
Rule No. 1: People in glass houses should not throw stones.
Ramon Laureano did just that by criticizing the Astros over their sign-stealing scandal while apparently taking PEDs.
The league suspended Laureano for 80 games on Friday after he tested positive for the steroid nandrolone.
Astros fans who listened to Laureano blast Houston for cheating couldn’t wait to point out the hypocrisy.
https://twitter.com/BHam1720/status/1423755981637423105?s=20
Ramon Laureano called out the Astros for cheating, then cheated himself
Laureano, who was drafted by the Astros before being traded to the Athletics, went on the record with the LA Times about suspecting something was up with Houston. He called for major punishment.
“They should suspend everyone who knew about it and was involved,” Laureano said. “We were in the same division as them and suspected it. It’s not fair for the guys affected by it, especially the opposing pitcher.”
He was also involved in one of the bigger brawls of the 2020 season when he charged Astros pitching coach Alex Cintron. He became a bit of a hero of the anti-Astros crowd as a result.
On the other side of things, baseball fans across the league never waste a chance to take a stab at the Astros.
Laureano released a statement claiming he didn’t knowingly ingest the banned substance, arguing something he took must have been contaminated.
He will miss the remainder of the 2021 season and the start of the 2022 season as well.
At 26 years old, Laureano was batting .246/.317/.443 in his fourth season in the league. He had 14 home runs, 39 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
The A’s just brought in Starling Marte, which will give them a clear replacement for Laureano in center field.
Oakland is in second place in the AL West and four games behind the Astros. They’re currently in a wildcard spot but have the Yankees and others nipping on their heels.