Pubdate: Thu, 15 Nov 2001
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspaper
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198
Author: Peggy O'Hare and Joseph Duarte

FORMER ASTRO CAMINITI ARRESTED ON CRACK POSSESSION CHARGE

Former Houston Astro third baseman Ken Caminiti, a one-time National League 
Most Valuable Player, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after officers said 
they smelled burning crack cocaine and found drugs in his hotel room.

Caminiti, 38, arrested with two other people in the room, was charged with 
possession of a controlled substance, Harris County sheriff's officials said.

It was the latest in a string of drug- and alcohol-related incidences that 
have plagued high-profile athletes. Most of Caminiti's career has been a 
roller-coaster ride of setbacks, and he has previously talked publicly 
about his dependency on alcohol.

He last played in 2001 with the Atlanta Braves and applied for free agency 
last week after the club opted not to resign him.

Caminiti was arrested at a southwest Houston hotel about 3:30 p.m., a short 
time after federal officers stopped his Mercedes-Benz, which was being 
driven by another man in Fort Bend County.

Caminiti was not in the car. Officers said they stopped the car because the 
driver was "suspicious." They did not elaborate.

It was not known how the car came to the attention of the officers, who 
were part of the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and High Intensity 
Drug Trafficking Area team.

The man told officers that he had permission to drive the car and that 
Caminiti could be found at a hotel.

Sheriff's officers were then sent to the hotel, the Ramada Limited in the 
6800 block of the Southwest Freeway, to make sure that Caminiti was safe 
and that his car had not been stolen.

The deputies knocked on the door of the room, and those inside opened it. 
The officers immediately detected the smell of burning crack cocaine, 
according to a sheriff's report.

Law enforcement officials who searched the room said they found unspecified 
types of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Caminiti and his two companions, 
whose names were not released, were arrested.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office accepted a charge against 
Caminiti of possession of a controlled substance, less than 28 grams. It 
was not clear about any charges against his two companions.

All three were held Wednesday night in the Harris County Jail.

Astros management could not immediately be reached for comment, while one 
of Caminiti's closest friends, team first baseman Jeff Bagwell, said, "I'll 
wait to comment until I know more of the facts."

Caminiti has battled injuries and alcohol dependency for most of his career.

In 1994, he went public with his battle with alcohol dependency, saying he 
had conquered the "disease" after volunteering himself for rehabilitation.

"I quit drinking nine months ago (in 1993), and I'm happy with it," 
Caminiti said at the time. "In fact, I am proud of it. I feel I have a 
disease, and I went through it on my own, with help from my teammates. I 
didn't tell anybody in the front office, I just went through it.

"I felt I wasn't playing to my potential, and it was hurting me on the 
field and hurting my teammates with what I was doing off the field. I chose 
to quit drinking and lead a healthier lifestyle.

"I was always worried about what people were thinking about me. You know, 
did he make an error because he was out drinking last night? Now I don't 
care. I know I did my best. ... It's not the drinking the night before, not 
staying out until 5 in the morning and being hung over. It's just clean 
living. I don't have the shakes anymore."

Caminiti had two stays with the Astros, leaving them the last time in 
September 2000 to undergo evaluation for chemical dependency, checking 
himself into the Smithers Clinic in New York for 30 days.

He had been sidelined since June 16 that year following surgery to repair a 
ruptured tendon sheath in his right wrist. He later admitted that he had a 
relapse with alcohol abuse.

He continued to make the Houston area his home because he wanted to remain 
near his estranged wife and three daughters.

Caminiti made his major league debut here in 1987, becoming a fan favorite 
in Houston. He was part of a 12-player trade with San Diego in 1994 and was 
the National League MVP in 1996 with the Padres, with 40 home runs and 130 
RBIs.

He returned to Houston in 1999, turning down a three-year, $21.5 million 
offer from Detroit, to accept a two-year, $9.5 million deal with the Astros.

Caminiti split last season between Texas and Atlanta. He hit .232, with 
nine home runs and 25 RBIs, for the Rangers. After being released in July, 
he batted .222, with six homers and 16 RBIs, for the Braves.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart