The Major League Baseball may have cursed him for revealing the rampant use of performance enhancing drugs in the sport but his desire to play baseball can’t be taken away from him. After more than 8 years of hiatus from professional baseball, Jose Canseco was able to comeback playing for an independent team in the United Baseball League. The Laredo Broncos announced a few weeks ago that Canseco will be playing for their team as a designated hitter and a bench coach. Although this is only a short term contract, Canseco is happy that he can play baseball again.

Many were hesitant if Canseco can still deliver the same performance after his involvement with anabolic steroids. He even admitted that he has to undergo treatment to control some of the side effects of using steroids. And at 46, can Canseco still hit a home run? In an interview, Canseco said that he still don’t know how well he will perform in the field. “I don’t know how I’ll perform physically, since I’m 46 and haven’t played at this level in a long time. We’ll see what happens,” he said.

Well after his first game with the Laredo Broncos, the slugger proves that his critics were wrong. Canseco’s first at bat was a home run to the left center on the third pitch. He also bounced into a double play helping the Broncos win the game at 16-8 beating Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. The Broncos were right in signing him into a contract. Canseco’s record is exemplary if not tainted with his steroid use. During his 17 major league season, he hit 462 home runs, averaged .266, 1,407 RBIs and won the 1988 American League MVP.

The United Baseball League President Byron Pierce told the media that acquiring Canseco was one of the highlights of their league. “This isn’t something that happens every day. It’s a long way from Major League Baseball to the United League, but we’re happier than heck to have him here,” Pierce added.

Let’s just wait if Canseco can still hit more home runs during his stay with the Broncos. He is also wants to pitch for the team. It was also reported that Canseco will be part of the Broncos Baseball Camp on August 29.

Meanwhile, catcher Ronny Paulino of Florida Marlins was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension is effective immediately which will last up to the 2011 season. The Major League Baseball did not identify the type of steroid found on Paulino’s system as part of their anti-doping policy.

Paulino blamed the dietary supplement that he took to control his weight which caused the positive test. “I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans,” he said. David Samson, Marlins President, was disappointed on the suspension of the catcher.

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