Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Davis Suspended 25 Games

Sep 5, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The hits just keep coming in Baltimore this week! The word is out that Chris Davis has been suspended 25 games for a positive test for an amphetamine.

So, what else can happen in Baltimore this week?

Much more will be written on this in coming hours and days, but two things come to mind quickly…

First, there is a difference between an amphetamine and steroids. But it all gives one a black eye all the same. There is going to be some back-story explanation to it, though it is unlikely to have a sufficient “oh, in that case… well, yes… that is understandable” sort of justification to it. This sort of thing simply cannot happen. What a difference a year can make in a person’s life.

Secondly, what is the effect on the team?  Davis had been hitting somewhat better of late. But the year has been a terrible disappointment. That this raises more questions about how to deal with the defensive vacuum at the infield corner positions than it does a hole in the lineup … well, that speaks to what a lousy offensive year it has been. There already was a hole in the batting order on more occasions than not – even granting a good number of RBIs.

There is a way to fill this gap and still find success… so long as J.J. Hardy can beat off his back problems and Steve Pearce can stay healthy. I even had to laugh at one early tweet that said, “Ryan Flaherty, please save us!”

Ugh!

This is a team that comes together; they will certainly need to now. It is a lot to overcome as a fan, let alone as a player on the field.

So sad. What a week!