Ex-Pirates Player Marcano Gets Lifetime Baseball Ban For Gambling

PITTSBURGH, PA — Major League Baseball banned former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Tucupita Marcano for life Tuesday for violating the league's gambling policy by betting on Pirates games while on the team last year.

Marcano apparently is the first active major leaguer banned under the sport's gambling provision since New York Giants outfielder Jimmy O'Connell in 1924. Pete Rose, who leads baseball in career hits, agreed to a lifetime ban an investigation concluded he bet on Cincinnati Reds games while managing the team.

One other big leaguer, Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, was suspended for a year for betting on baseball while he was in the minor leagues. Minor leaguers Jay Groome of San Diego, José Rodríguez of Philadelphia and Andrew Saalfrank of Arizona were banned for one year for betting on major league games.

Under Major League Baseball rules, players are not permitted to gamble on baseball or softball at any level. Players caught gambling on other baseball teams face a one-year suspension, but could be banned for life if found to have gambled on their own team.

“The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans," baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

The Pirates did not immediately issue a comment on the ban.

Marcano, 24, currently was a member of the San Diego Padres, but had not played for the team this season due to a torn ACL.