‘I understand': After suspension for betting, A's pitcher Michael Kelly tries to start over

New York Times

21 hours ago

ANAHEIM, Calif. — It took Michael Kelly until he was 31 years old to establish himself as a big league pitcher.
There were eight years in the minor leagues — five before he advanced past A-ball. Another season in independent ball, where he had a 5.34 ERA. Then three more years in the minor leagues, punctuated by a couple of call-ups.
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It was a slog, a fight. It meant everything just to make it to where he was in 2024 — a 2.59 ERA with the then-Oakland A's, spanning 31 1/3 innings. He'd finally earned a spot.
Then, on June 4 of last year, he got popped for betting just $99.22 on baseball, the bets made when he was a minor leaguer. He was suspended for a year. His betting history was made public in a press release by the league. This was now what he was best known for.
And his career was, once again, put on hold.
'Regardless of what it looks like, how it was, I think fans and teams and players, everyone needs to trust the integrity of the game,' Kelly said, saying that he accepted responsibility for the actions that led to his suspension. 'So, because of that, I understand why they did what they did, and they went with the suspension.
'They sent the message, and everyone needs to trust the integrity of the game. And I understand that completely.'
Kelly was suspended along with three other players — Diamondbacks reliever Andrew Saalfrank, Padres pitcher Jay Groome and Phillies infielder José Rodriguez. Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was banned from the sport that same day for betting on Pirates games, while he was on their big-league roster.
Saalfrank, who has spent time in the big leagues, was brought back by his organization and is currently pitching in the Arizona Complex League. Both Groome and Rodriguez were non-tendered by their respective clubs and are free agents.
Kelly's bets were minuscule, all things considered. They occurred over 12 days, from October 5, 2021, to October 17, all while he was a minor leaguer in the Astros' system. He placed 10 bets involving nine big-league games. Three of the games he bet on involved the Astros. He won a net of $28.30 on his bets.
'I really didn't dwell on it much,' Kelly said, when asked how he can reconcile all this happening over such a relatively small amount of money. 'I focused on what I can control. Being where my feet were, and staying in the moment. I'm not one to look back and dwell on something.'
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Kelly didn't want to discuss how receiving his suspension played out, noting that he'd rather focus on the present. He said he spent his time creating a training facility with two former big leaguers, Josh Tomlin and Steven Hill. The facility was designed to train kids and coach young players.
After the initial shock, Kelly heard from many of his teammates. Family supported him, he said. He started the facility because he knew he wanted to stay involved in the game. But still, he missed being on the field.
When he returned, he said, 'There was some excitement. Warm welcomes, for sure.'
When asked what he wanted to prove in his career, following his suspension, Kelly responded that 'For me, it's just showing my love for the game. … Competing and being the best competitor that I can be. A professional for guys on the team, guys I'm playing against.'
Kelly returned to the Athletics on June 5, the first day he was eligible. The team recently lost 20-of-21 games and was in desperate need of bullpen arms. He pitched in his first game back on the roster, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless frames against the Twins.
It meant a lot to Kelly. He had to get through a lot just to step on a major league mound for the first time three years ago. He understood why he had to miss the last year, as embarrassing as it was.
What he also recognizes, however, is that it was about more than 99 dollars and 22 cents. It was about betting on baseball, and the serious risk to the integrity of the sport that gambling can cause.
But he can't control that, not now. So he focuses on what he can impact: getting back out there, pitching again after that self-inflicted mistake. It was so important to him.
'It was everything that I was hoping it was going to be,' Kelly said. 'Just being out there and competing and helping the team, and doing my part. It was everything I could hope for.'