San Diego Padres: The man, the myth, the legend of Ken Caminiti

Was the offseason before the 1997 season the start of Caminiti’s steroid usage?

Good: Interesting looking back on his rotator cuff surgery. Many believe that was the start of his steroid usage. But that was not the case.

His physical therapist and main steroid supplier warned Caminiti that using steroids in the rehab process could tear the muscle off the bone. Damage of this nature could have been career-ending. Instead, Caminiti’s therapist had him working on agility drills.

His steroid usage began in 1995. Ken’s high school buddy helped him get and use the drug correctly during his offseason workouts. Ironically, Cammy never purchased steroids himself.

Immediately, Caminiti gained a spike in his power numbers. Add the success from the 1996 season, and other players were coming to Caminiti to set them up with his steroid program.

Then, he sustained a torn rotator cuff that forced him to re-adjust his 1997 workout program. Ken needed to regain strength and steroids were the solution to his early-season troubles.

Let’s not forget that Cammy thought of taking steroids as early as 1991 and did further research in 1993. His admission has been well-documented in the 2002 Sports Illustrated article.

In the end, his problems were a combination of steroids, increased drinking and drug usage. Caminiti felt indestructible, but that façade was crumbling.

Why was Caminiti treated as a martyr while Jose Canseco is applauded for his book on baseball’s steroid problem?

Good: Good question. There was sympathy for Caminiti. But also, confusion as to why he came forward with the SI article. For him, it was an opportunity to set the record straight on his own actions. Ken was trying to close this chapter of his life. Everything that he talked about came to be true.

Canseco was trying to sell books. Instead, he promoted himself with an ax to grind.
In the end, both players gained credibility by admitting that steroids were a part of major league baseball. The difference being, Ken was not trying to gain anything from his admission.

Why was Caminiti so addicted to competition but hated to have expectations placed on him?

Good: It’s a real sharp analysis on your part. Yes, Caminiti lived for competition as it was his fuel and energy. However, expectations from others did trip him up all throughout his playing career.

What made Cammy so damn clutch in key at-bats?

Good: He did come through time and time again. It was all about proving himself to others.
The early Astro teams were bad and rarely contended for a postseason berth. However, 1996 allowed him to take his career to the next level. No question, Caminiti dialed it up in the postseason.

Remember 1998, he was falling down and struggling in games. His personal life was in turmoil. Yet, you thought he could make something happen with one swing of the bat.

In 1999, Caminiti struggled throughout the regular season. But come October, he is battling Brian Jordan once again. Both players were homering back and forth.

Somehow, Cammy’s broken-down body allowed him to perform at a high level one more time. You felt that he had something to prove.

In the end, Caminiti rose to the occasion because he wanted to give his team every opportunity to win.

Speak on his retirement from baseball and that faithful trip to New York?

Good: The end of his life was so disappointing and sad.

For me, I look at the years of substance abuse and the things he put into his body. All of the internal demons he tried to fight off. Unfortunately, the outcome was not surprising. It could have happened in San Jose, San Diego or wherever he was at that time.

After his baseball career ended, Ken had trouble finding a purpose in life. Many retired players struggle with this aspect of their life. Their greatest days are behind them.

No longer is the crowd cheering, you stop making a ton of money and your catered life is over. You become a has-been baseball player.

For Caminiti, it was tough to adjust being retired from baseball. He did not know what was next in his life. His daughters meant so much to him, but it was tough for him to be identified as an ex-major leaguer. Then, the headlines (steroid controversy) followed.

Personally, it took me a long time to draft this portion of the book. I wrote with a heavy heart.

The shocking aspect is how few people knew Ken was in New York at the time of his death. What was the former NL MVP doing in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx?

The end of his life does not offer the answers we need for closure. It was a sad, tragic end to Ken Caminiti’s life.