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Josh Beckett Caught Cheating After Pitching No Hitter for LA Dodgers

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LOS ANGELES, California – empire-sports-josh-beckett-LA-dodgers-HGH-scandal-cheating-no-hitter

Josh Beckett threw baseball’s first no-hitter of the season earlier this week, but later tested positive for possible HGH use during a routine drug check. Many suspect he could be a part of the Anthony Bosch Miami Clinic scandal. Beckett previously played for the Boston Red Sox, and prior to that he was a pitcher for the once Florida Marlins, which is what has lead to the tie to Anthony Bosch. Bosch was caught in a controversy a few years ago after several MLB players were caught and released for receiving HGH and other steroids and drugs at Bosch’s bio-genesis clinic in South Florida.

MLB officials, faced with another possible steroid/cheating scandal, have decided to test every player that has ever been a part of the Marlins organization, including current rosters. With this search they hope to stop the use of HGH, as well as other forms of cheating in baseball. The only exception, of course, being the New York Yankees, who are always privy to 2nd chances when it comes to cheating and rule breaking.

As of the time of this writing, Beckett had not commented on the accusation, except to say that it was completely false. Agents for Beckett and the LA Dodgers also had no comment. There is speculation that other members of the Dodgers could also be using HGH or other steroids, and the commissioner of baseball has said that it is possible that there may be a team-wide or even league-wide testing of all players and staff, including umpires, coaches, and even batboys.

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14 Year-Old High School Freshman Has 96Mph Fastball

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PORTLAND, Maine – empire-sports-high-school-pitcher-baseball-96-mph-fastball-scouts-player-teenager-red-sox

A 14 year-old high school freshman is being watched by not only his entire town, but also by scouts from some giant sports-centric colleges, and at least one major league team, after pitching two back-to-back no-hitters over 3 days this week.

Patrick Kingsford, a freshman at Deering High School in Portland, Maine, was a newcomer to their school’s baseball program this year, after trying out and making the team earlier in the spring. A broken arm a week after the season started kept Kingsford out of regular rotation, but this week, after being put into his first games, Kingsford blew away fans of by pitching well over 90mph, including hitting a high-mark of 96mph after already having thrown 58 pitches.

“We thought for sure that Patrick was going to be out for the entire season,” said Gerard Kingsford, Patrick’s father. “We get crazy weather here in the North East, and we got one big ice storm right at the start of spring. Patrick slipped and broke his arm – he was really disappointed because he had just made the baseball team and was really looking forward to playing.”

“I was supposed to be a relief pitcher for the J.V. team,” said Patrick. “I broke my arm, and the doctor said I might miss the whole season. But I healed really fast, and when the doctor took the cast off, he checked everything out and said he couldn’t believe how well I’d healed, and how fast. Less than 2 weeks later, I was pitching again.”

Kingsford went back to his J.V. team during a practice game, and when he started pitching, the coach’s jaws dropped.

“I had never seen anything like it. I never thought I would, either.” said Michel Duncan, Deering High School baseball coach. “Patrick came out and was warming up, and he started pitching, and it was like lightning. He was throwing at speeds I’ve never seen for a high school student. Even when I played in college most players weren’t throwing like he was. It was major league speeds, for sure.”

Kingsford was immediately placed into the rotation for the varsity team, and he went on to pitch 2 no-hitters over the course of a week. News of Kingsford’s abilities started to spread, and soon he was being visited by college scouts from all over the country. He even was visited by professional scouts from his favorite New England team.

“I had Amiel Sawdaye visit me. Amiel is the amateur scout for the Boston Red Sox, my favorite team.” Said Kingsford. “I’m not old enough to play professionally yet, according to MLB rules, but Amiel wanted to come see me. He watched a game, and talked to me after. He said that if I keep playing like I have been, once I graduate he’d probably be back to talk to me again. It was the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Kingsford went on to say that although it’s nice that professional teams have taken an interest in him, he wants to play in college first.

“It’s always been my goal to go to college. You can’t rely on baseball forever. Someday my arm might get tired, and I wouldn’t want that to be everything I had. If I can play baseball for a college team and then go pro, that’s what I want to do. I’ve always liked school and that’s important to me, and it’s important to my dad. So that’s probably what I’ll do.”

Kingsford has already spoken to colleges such as Boston University and the University of Connecticut about possible scholarships when he graduates. It’s the first time that Boston U has ever talked to a high school freshman about becoming a player for any of their sports teams.

“I watched him play, and if he keeps it up, there will definitely be a spot on our roster for Patrick in a few years.” Said Mike Gambino, head coach of Boston University Baseball. “It’s the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen from a high school player.”