Pitcher Rod Scurry to Be Charged With Cocaine Possession and Use

Pitcher Rod Scurry, arrested for cocaine possession and use a day after becoming a free agent when the Seattle Mariners released him, will be formally charged Tuesday, city prosecutors said.

Police said Scurry, 32, was arrested Thursday after allegedly buying rock cocaine in Reno. He was released from Washoe County Jail after posting $6,000 bond.

Scurry has been plagued with drug and alcohol problems during his career, which also has included seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants.

William Hehn, a Reno deputy district attorney, said a crack house was under surveillance when Scurry allegedly asked a person outside the house where he could buy cocaine.

The person bought the cocaine for Scurry and police followed the pitcher for several minutes before arresting him, Hehn said.

He said the criminal complaint would allege Scurry already had used the cocaine by the time of his arrest.

Scurry became a first-round draft pick of the Pirates in 1974 after leading Hug High School of Reno to the Nevada triple-A high school baseball championship.

He admitted to cocaine and alcohol abuse in 1984, and began treatment. But Pittsburgh sold him to the Yankees in 1985 after he failed to follow his after-care treatment.