Former Pirates pitcher made more than $43 million. Now he’s facing major drug charges
Former Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Esteban Loaiza is facing felony drug charges, according to San Diego court records.
Loaiza pitched for the Pirates from 1995 to 1998, had a 36-37 record and 4.63 ERA. He played for seven more major league teams, was second in the 2003 American League Cy Young voting and has the second most wins in MLB history by pitcher from Mexico.
He could add drug kingpin to the list of what he is known for, according to court records, which detailed charges against him. He earned more than $43 million during his baseball career, according to baseball-reference.com.
Loaiza was charged on Friday with felony possession of more than 20 kilograms of heroin or cocaine, felony possession or sale of a controlled substance and felony transportation or sale of a controlled substance. He has not posted $200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.
The possession of 20 kilograms of heroin or cocaine would equate to 44 pounds of drugs.
Shawn Annarelli: 814-235-3928, @Shawn_Annarelli
This story was originally published February 12, 2018 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Former Pirates pitcher made more than $43 million. Now he’s facing major drug charges."