Ex-Brave Jordan Schafer arrested on felony marijuana charge (UPDATED)
Former Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer has bigger problems now than trying to raise his batting average. (AP photo)
(UPDATED: 1 p.m.)
The Braves traded Jordan Schafer to Houston despite believing he could still be a valuable part of their future because they were able to land a proven veteran, Michael Bourn, in return. But Schafer’s future just got a little more cloudy.
The Astros’ center fielder and former Braves’ top prospect was arrested early Tuesday in Tampa on a felony marijuana possession charge.
Schafer's booking mugshot in Tampa.
The St. Petersburg Times first reported Schafer was arrested at 1:59 a.m. at the address for The Cheesecake Factory restaurant. He was released from jail at 5:15 a.m. on $2,000 cash bond.
Schafer was found in possession of 25.9 grams of marijuana. In the state of Florida, more than 20 grams is considered a third-degree felony. According to the police report, officers conducted a traffic stop after smelling what seemed to be marijuana coming out of Schafer’s car, and upon pulling him over found him with a joint in his hand.
An email to a Times reporter from the Tampa Police Dept. indicated officers also found “three small Marijuana peanut butter cups which contained 247.8 milligrams of Marijuana, according to its packaging.”
Let me just say this about Schafer: I’ve always liked him personally, and he was well-liked in the Braves’ clubhouse this season. Veterans, most notably Chipper Jones, believed he had turned the corner in his life and career after originally seeming too cocky when he first came up from the minors a few years ago.
Schafer was suspended for 50 games in 2008 for being found in violation of major league baseball’s drug policy. But the circumstances of that suspension always were cloudy — he never was tested — and Schafer disputed that he took performance-enhancing drugs.
Schafer, who maintains a home in Haines City, Fla. (south of Orlando), also battled a lot of injury problems with the Braves. He hit .240 with 15 stolen bases in 52 games before being traded to Houston, where he hit .245 with seven stolen bases in 30 games.
He now has another obstacle to overcome.
By Jeff Schultz
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244 comments Add your comment
hesalive
October 4th, 2011
7:19 pm
Schaefer needs Christ, and will not succeed until he repents.
Sounds like a person who probably was under Mark Richt's tutelage.
October 4th, 2011
7:46 pm
That’s all, folks.
Macon Falcons fan
October 4th, 2011
8:43 pm
Over / under for the price decrease of an oz of weed if the NBA lockout lasts until Christmas?
Hy Ronatt
October 4th, 2011
9:00 pm
Loyal Fan, I want Fredi gone, because he IS Booby Cox, but not even as good. Just a run down cheap left handed Soviet knockoff.
urban redneck
October 4th, 2011
9:04 pm
always liked that trade, now i thinks it’s brilliant. pro ball players should have better sense. if you can afford weed, go get your tag renewed. holy cow. he is not a thug; he is a moron.
ps jordan, if you’re reading this, my wife wants some of those peanut butter cups. nice mugshot.
Hit A Single
October 4th, 2011
10:18 pm
This world is in a mess. People think they are above the law and especially pro and college athletes. Thank God for the Payton Mannings, the Brian McCann’s, the Brian Jordans and all the others that know what the term responsibility means.
Hit A Single
October 4th, 2011
10:19 pm
Now maybe he can get another tattoo!
montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser | Montgomery news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Montgomery, AL
October 4th, 2011
10:23 pm
[...] OL is flying high right now. No, this has nothing to do with former Atlanta Braves OF Jordan Schafer. Cooper said everyone along the line is satisfied with the Tigers’ straightforward gutting of [...]
MP
October 4th, 2011
10:56 pm
Schafer has never had but 4 good weeks in majors. Another Super Star only made by Media and Braves bs that falls on his face. Braves should have let him go when he got caught the first time doing drugs. All you Schafer fans got what you ask for~~nothing! He’s a loser!
observer
October 4th, 2011
11:25 pm
THIS KID IS HAVING HIS LIFE RUINED BECAUSE HE WAS MINDING HIS BUSINESS SMOKING A WEED THAT IS NOT ADDICTIVE, DOESN’T INDUCE VIOLENCE, DOESN’T IMPAIR MOTOR FUNCTION LIKE ALCOHOL DOES, AND WAS PUT ON THIS EARTH BY GOD HIMSELF.
READ KEN STALLINGS POSTING ABOVE TO SEE PURE BS.
chris amell
October 4th, 2011
11:27 pm
This happens to a lot of players in the off-season, because they try and take advantage of not having to take a drug test for a while. Remember Lincecum just a few years back? Its not like these young guys are trafficking, I mean come on Schafer had just over an ounce of weed which is enough to possibly last him a week or two, probably just an off-season thing!!
Jeff R
October 5th, 2011
12:44 am
Don’t you like all these bloggers who are using the Schafer arrest to advocate for dope’s legalization. Not the issue. The fact is that Jordan Schafer violated Florida law (agree with the law or not). Schafer has likely jepordized his baseball career and put a big black mark next to his name. He’ll carry that black mark with him post-baseball, too. A very dumb, reckless thing to do.
Really unfortunate.
bring back blauser
October 5th, 2011
6:35 am
duh……these guys have a talent they are athletes not rhodes scholars. many do not know their batting averages unless someone tells them. i am sorry but these people are not icons they are athletes and most of them that is all they know. and you wonder why they have such big egos
SC Braves fan
October 5th, 2011
7:55 am
It’s only weed. Should be legal anyway. Being drunk on the road is far worse.
BravesFanForever
October 5th, 2011
9:01 am
It just does to show you that this guy is arrogant and has never learned any lessons. But then established veterans like Derek Lowe get caught for drunken driving and nothing becomes of it. The legal system is an absolute crock. That’s one thing that can be said for sure.
bring the weed
October 5th, 2011
9:05 am
jordan like the weed and like the ladies–what wrong with that?
Dromio94
October 5th, 2011
9:36 am
Patrick Romano, let “he” who is without grammar or spelling cast the first blog. You’ll fit right in! Talent or no, Schafer is dumb, and has proved it on too many occasions. As for Fredi G, he may not be really DUMB, he just ain’t learnt yit how to talk real good neither. Or manage, but thats a nother ball game, ain’t hit?
Dromio94
October 5th, 2011
9:38 am
Hesalive, I thought religion and related sentiments were banned from this blog. If not, Mr Schultz, get your act together!
Robert
October 5th, 2011
9:39 am
“THIS KID IS HAVING HIS LIFE RUINED BECAUSE HE WAS”
breaking the law
Robert
October 5th, 2011
10:07 am
““Your weed is in my chocolate!!!”
“Your chocolate is in my weed!!!”
THAT was great.
Robert
October 5th, 2011
10:53 am
““Too cocky” for Chipper may mean running all out to first base”
awesome . just awesome
Robert
October 5th, 2011
10:54 am
Jordan Schafer made bad choices. He isnt a Brave any more. Leave it to those it should matter to – as in the folks in Houston
Chipper
October 5th, 2011
10:56 am
I always knewn there was something wrong with that kid. I remember the way he ran out ground balls – like dude, youre gonna get thrown out anyway, so quit the hustle act ok?
Course, the kid DID have some good sources. Not that Hoss ever smoked weed or anything.
Braves Fan28
October 5th, 2011
10:57 am
He’s trying his best to piss away an opportunity that thousands of young players would love to have. What a waste. Houston should release him now….
Charles
October 5th, 2011
11:32 am
It is a shame that someone so talented ruins a promising career for a high. Unfortunately, Shaefer is but the tip of the iceberg. A trip to the Pink Pony and other watering holes in the Atlanta area will reveal that several promising young Braves stars seem content to unwind with binge drinking and who knows what else. By the second half of the season, they are totally unmotivated or fall prey to injury because they don’t take care of themself. Baseball is a precise game, and you can’t succeed if you’re getting drunk or high on a regular basis no matter how much talent you have. The players who take care of themselves don’t get hurt as much and are more consistent performers.
Warren Spahn
October 5th, 2011
11:48 am
Shaferneeds to get burned. Unfortunately, in the USA of today, he is a celebrity so he will get out of it relatively unscathed. Sadly Lady Justice is not blind. She can see through the blindfold and bows to money and/or other influences.
Smoove Criminal
October 5th, 2011
1:05 pm
Braves Fan28
October 5th, 2011
10:57 am
He’s trying his best to piss away an opportunity that thousands of young players would love to have. What a waste. Houston should release him now….
———————————————-
The last guy I remember to chance after chance after chance to redeem himself and blow every opportunity he got was Pacman Jones. With some minor differences thats what Schafer’s career has looked like and most likely where its heading—the way of Jones’. Can’t call him a once young super star because the Braves and the media hyped him into something that he never was, isn’t, and will never be. He’ll be burnt out and not playing baseball by the time he’s 30.
Smoove Criminal
October 5th, 2011
1:07 pm
and never will be*
Coach (2011 Fredi G. FAILED)
October 5th, 2011
3:39 pm
Toking the mary jane……
Good for him. Unfortunately the right wing neocons control the multibillion dollar pharmaceutical industry, which would take a hug hit if Marijuana were legalized like it should be in America.
Chipper
October 5th, 2011
3:53 pm
“The last guy I remember to chance after chance after chance to redeem himself and blow every opportunity he got was Pacman Jones. With some minor differences thats what Schafer’s career has looked like ”
There’s a HUGE difference between Pacman Jones and Jordan Schafer.
Pacman Jones could play
RoflBoat
October 5th, 2011
3:55 pm
Not surprised. More pro athletes smoke weed than you think. Most league’s don’t test for it. It’s just kind of a private thing that some athletes do during the off season. This guy just got caught with it, that’s all.
Prado's NOT a 3rd baseman
October 5th, 2011
4:24 pm
Who cares? good riddance to Schafer, Houston you have a problem! If Heyward is still in a funk by the all star break, look for him in AAA or be traded, if JJ comes back with a good first half, hurry & trade him before he gets hurt again, he always does so trade high & get a bat!
Houston Astros’ Outfielder Busted on Felony Pot Charges | Growing Medical Marijuana
October 5th, 2011
7:15 pm
[...] @ blogs.ajc.com [...]
Choppinmama
October 5th, 2011
8:26 pm
Smoking a blunt with the windows rolled down, driving a vehicle with expired plates, a stash stashed, and some “funny” trick or treat goodies on board…………..
What, ME worry????
carney johnson
October 5th, 2011
11:45 pm
nowhere near as bad as derek lowe drunk-dragracing.
NO MORE FREDI
October 6th, 2011
3:08 am
The Jordan Schafer theme song….
http://youtu.be/WeYsTmIzjkw
MLB player Jordan Schafer arrested for possession of marijuana in Fla. - CBS News | Land Depot of Florida
October 6th, 2011
3:14 am
[...] light while stopped next to a police car. A police report says the 24-year-old Schafer …Ex-Brave Jordan Schafer arrested on felony marijuana charge Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Houston OF Jordan Schafer arrested in Florida and charged with [...]
weed rules
October 6th, 2011
8:27 am
99% of pro athletes smoke weed—it’s no big deal. Jordan’s legal camp will get this thing down to a small fine. Weed helps the pros relax off the field.
Larry30
October 6th, 2011
2:03 pm
Hey joycee: if you stay home and get high and break the law in the process then “your choice” more than likely won’t effect me. When you take that out onto the public streets behind the wheel of an suv it’s no longer a private matter. You’re a knucklehead and so is shafer. This story buttresses my thinking that our roster is essentially filled with dumb jock types.
Larry30
October 6th, 2011
2:05 pm
Hay man……did you and your boys figure out that stat early this morning before or after you polished off the bag of crunchy cheetos?
Larry30
October 6th, 2011
2:06 pm
Lowe was not DUI. The potheads really come out on these stories.
Randy Daniel
October 8th, 2011
2:07 am
First it’s the 50 game suspension for HGH,and now this.Would somebody please tell this kid that his career is quickly going down the toilet?
mistermak
October 9th, 2011
2:59 am
People…it is just pot!! The worse thing he did was smoke in heavy traffic with expired tags. And you definitely don’t take your whole stash with you in the car. you don’t need to carry round and OZ every where you go. A quarter bag would have been sufficient for the moment. But really it is just a weed. For all you who are so high and mightly against it, you obviously have not tried it. You have bought in to all the govt sponsored propeganda that has been shoved down our throats for decades! ‘Reefer Madness’ was the funniest attempt to demonize pot. if you don’t want to do it, don’t do it. But why should the rest of us have to live by your choice. What if we turned the table and made you smoke it just because we do!!! FREEDOM of CHOICE!!!!! We have much worse things in this OBAMA Socialized country to worry about!! Not to mention what a billion dollar waste of tax payer money to try and I emphasize “TRY” and stop it. Been trying for 30+ years…how is that working out for ya??
eddie willers
October 9th, 2011
1:44 pm
“Better call Saul!”