American Notes Pittsburgh

Burly Curtis Strong showed no emotion as he listened to the verdict last week in federal court in Pittsburgh. After nearly nine hours of deliberation, the jury found the former Philadelphia Phillies caterer guilty on eleven charges of selling cocaine to major-league baseball players between 1980 and 1983. Numerous players had been associated with drugs during the twelve-day trial. Star athletes who were once heavy users, including the Kansas City Royals' Lonnie Smith, the Cincinnati Reds' Dave Parker and the New York Mets' Keith Hernandez, were granted immunity to testify against Strong. The convicted dealer faces a maximum sentence of 165 years in prison and $275,000 in fines.

Judge Gustave Diamond also held Strong's lawyer, Adam Renfroe Jr., in contempt of court. Throughout the trial, Renfroe tried to shift attention from Strong to the players he called "hero junkies." In his closing remarks he ignored the judge's instructions to avoid discussing the players' immunity grants. Renfroe was sentenced to 30 days in jail.