Orioles and the Law

Manny Alexander - Boston police found steroids in his car on June 30, 2000, while it was being driven by the Red Sox' former batboy; Alexander was on a road trip in Chicago at the time. On February 28, 2001, a Massachusetts court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to charge Alexander with the misdemeanor charge of steroid possession.

Albert Belle - Domestic violence-related assault on July 5, 1988 in Tucson, AZ. Fined $1,000 and sentenced to one year probation in 1992.

On October 31, 1995, chased teenagers who vandalized his house. On November 28, 1995, he was convicted of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and fined $100 in Lyndhust (OH) Municipal Court.

On July 19, 1998, arrested and charged with domestic battery, criminal damage to property, and interfering with a report of domestic battery in Cook County, IL.

Armando Benitez - On December 15, 2000, accused by former fiancee Stacey O'Neill of assaulting her (by slamming a door on her) on November 9 at his Baltimore residence. At a court hearing on December 15th, denied hitting her, but agreed to stay away from her. On January 17, 2001, the case was dropped by the Baltimore City State's Attorney's office, citing lack of evidence.

On January 3, 2001, O'Neill filed a complaint at the 109th precinct in Flushing, Queens, accusing Benitez of hitting her on October 18th at their Queens home, on an off-day between the NLCS and World Series. On February 15, the Queens District Attorney's office cited "an insufficient legal basis on which to proceed with a criminal prosecution," and announced that he would not be prosecuted.

Bobby Chouinard - On December 27, 1999, arrested and charged with assault by Phoenix Police for hitting his wife and pointing a gun at her. On January 5, 2000, indicted by a Maricopa County grand jury for aggravated assault. On January 13, pleaded not guilty. On October 24, reached plea agreement with prosecutors; pled guilty to aggravated assault and will serve one year in jail, spread out over the next four offseasons.

Doug Johns - On April 5, 1999, arrested and charged by Baltimore City Police with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while intoxicated, and failure to obey a traffic signal. On January 10, 2000, sentenced to a year of supervised probation, 80 hours of community service, and fined $1,525.

On October 8, 1999, arrested after he failed to pull over to the shoulder when he was unable to pay a $1 toll at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Charged with driving under the influence of marijuana and blocking traffic.

Ray Knight - In January 2001, charged by Georgia hunting authorities with hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting without permission and hunting deer at night after an arrest. On January 25, most serious charges dropped; charged only with blinding wildlife with lights and criminal trespass.

Jose Mesa - On December 27, 1996, arrested and charged with rape, gross sexual imposition and theft in Cuyahoga County, OH for an incident which took place on December 22. Felony assault charge dropped. On April 9, 1997, acquitted by a jury. Also charged with carrying a concealed weapon based on gun found during his arrest. Gun suppressed as result of illegal search. On October 20, 1999, suppression overturned by Ohio Supreme Court; Mesa ordered to stand trial.

Luis Polonia - On August 16, 1989, arrested in Milwaukee for having sex with a 15-year old girl he picked up in the Pfister Hotel's bar. In October 1989, sentenced to 60 days in jail and given a $1,500 fine after pleading no contest to a charge of having sex with a minor.

Frank Robinson - On February 9, 1961, arrested in Cincinnati on a concealed weapons charge. He had brandished a gun at a short-order cook who had refused to serve him.