After years of trying to get back in the sport that he loves, Jose Canseco is playing baseball again. However, he will only be playing in the minor league according to several online sources. The slugger once said that he was punished by the major league for disclosing the rampant use of anabolic steroids in the sport. Canseco was one of those baseball players who testified in a congressional inquiry about the proliferation of performance enhancing drugs in professional baseball. He also wrote two steroid books, Juiced and Vindicated, which became controversial because of accusations he made to other baseball players.

Many considered him as the godfather of steroids in baseball, a name that he doesn’t really like. His life after the congressional inquiry was not easy. He tried to venture into other sports like boxing and mixed martial arts but he can’t make it to the limelight. In fact most fights of Canseco only involved celebrity matches and not title matches. Recently, he told the media that he regrets using steroids. It does not only ruined his career but it also gave him undesirable side effects. The slugger is on a testosterone therapy to combat the effects of long term use of steroids.

The hiring of Jose Canseco by an independent minor league team is a sign that he can still revive his baseball career. The Laredo Broncos announced that they have hired Canseco on a short term contract. The general manager of the Laredo Broncos Jose Melendez confirmed this report to the media. Canseco will serve as the bench coach of the team and designated hitter for two games. The Broncos will be playing against Rio Grande Valley White Wings on August 16-18 and Coastal Bend Thunder on August 28-30. The Broncos is one of the six teams in the United Baseball League.

In total, Canseco will only play for six home games for the team this season. Hiring Canseco is a significant decision of the team. Before retiring in the majors, Canseco is one of the best designated hitters of the league. He averaged .266 with 462 home runs and 1,407 RBIs. When he was still playing for the Oakland Athletics, he earned the American League MVP award for achieving 42 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Canseco also played for 2 independent Golden League teams in 2006.

Local officials also welcomed the inclusion of Canseco to the Broncos team. “I think he’s a great addition to the baseball team and I hope they make it to the playoffs. You need to see things as a business manager and the fact that Jose Canseco is coming to Laredo will bring a lot of attention to the Broncos. Perhaps they could have brought him earlier but I don’t know,” said one of the council members.

The only question right now is if Canseco can still perform his best after a long hiatus from baseball and without the help of steroids.

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