When late New York Yankees star Joe Pepitone landed in hot water after being caught for first-degree drug possession

For MLB, doping has been a persistent problem, and some of the best professional baseball players in MLB history have utilized it repeatedly. Late New York Yankees star Joe Pepitone was once caught in a major drug bust.

The Yankees legend landed in hot water after being caught for first-degree drug possession in 1985. As reported by the New York Times, the officer who made the arrest, said:

''We found lots of cocaine, a bag of heroin, a quantity of Quaalude capsules, a tool used to grind cocaine, 140 empty glassine envelopes, and what appears to be records of drug transactions."

From 1962 to 1969, when he was transferred to the Houston Astros, Pepitone played first base and the outfield for the Yankees. He was a colorful, free-swinging slugger who was well-liked by the crowd.

He then played for the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs before calling it a career in the major leagues in 1973. Throughout that time, he hit 219 home runs while averaging.258.

Montreal Expos v New York Yankees

Pepitone returned to the Yankee organization in 1981 as a minor league hitting coach and was promoted to batting coach a year later. Yet after only a short while in that capacity, he was promoted to a public relations post where he now represents the Yankees in public appearances.

Yankees fans pay tribute to Joe Pepitone following death

Pepitone died this month at the age of 82. He will be remembered for his outstanding on-field performances that delighted the Bronx fans. In a statement, the Yankees paid their respects to Pepitone. The team said:

“The Yankees are deeply saddened by the passing of former Yankee Joe Pepitone, whose playful and charismatic personality and on-field contributions made him a favorite of generations of Yankees fans even beyond his years with the team in the 1960s"

Read:

Joe Pepitone, Popular New York Yankees Star, Dead at 82 - People

The Yankees signed amateur free agent Pepitone in 1958, and he made his MLB debut in 1962. Prior to serving with the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves, he spent seven years with the Yankees.

Statement from The New York Yankees on the passing of Joe Pepitone: - New York Yankees

Pepitone won three Gold Glove awards and was a three-time MLB All-Star. He'll be remembered for his outrageous demeanor and boldness on the field forever!