This morning’s arrest of Philadelphia prospect Tyson Gillies, one of the players acquired in the Cliff Lee deal, for cocaine possession was reported on MLB.com. But the bald statement of facts provided there - including such crucial details as the time, down to the minute, he was released on bond - doesn’t appear quite to do justice to the rather bizarre facts in the matter.
Phillies’ Prospect Drops Cocaine In Police Car: Unsurprisingly, Arrest Ensues
For those, we turn to the Philadelpha Inquirer, which has more details on the incident, back in June, which led to the minor-league player’s arrest early this morning. The Cliff Notes version: a drunk Gillies was walking back to his hotel, and was offered a lift by a police cruiser which noticed him by the highway - the player dropped a bag of white powder on the back seat of the cruiser. This turned out to be coke.
Several lessons can be learned from this story. Okay, probably the single lesson that covers all the bases is, “drunk people do stupid things.” But the trifecta of dumbness here is impressive. #1. If you’re carrying controlled substances, don’t attract police attention - such as here, by “waving a white shirt at passing motorists.” #2. Should you do so, and are offered a “courtesy ride”, politely decline, saying something like, “The fresh air will clear my head, officer.”
#3 - and this is the really important one. If you do find yourself in the back of a police cruiser, with some undiscovered contraband, make sure it is properly stowed. Remember that articles may shift during flight, and check around you when exiting the vehicle, to ensure you have all personal possessions with you. Following these simple rules will help you avoid arrest, a criminal record and becoming the target of sarcasm on sites like this.
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