I just read how well Stephen is doing in the minors in the paper and I thought I would explore and see what everyone is saying about him and I once again ran into the Cathedral suspension story on this page. I have heard a much different story about the Cathedral's incident in North Carolina from those who were directly involved (those who were suspended). I know its in the past and everyone has moved on but I don't think its fair to cover up for the "superstar" of the team. The story I was told was that there was beer drinking not one but two nights and those involved were caught on the second night. The 4 kids who made the poor decision to use marijuana, went into the woods, smoked the substance, and then went back inside their room to hangout and watch TV. After 30 minutes or so an assistant coach knocked on their door because they were alerted by loud banging noises that came from down the hall and they saw that their room light was on and it was late. The 4 kids admitted to their wrong doing and even told the coaches that there was drinking by most of the team as well. They were immediately suspended from the team and from school until their review boards the following week. In those review boards each told administrators what happened on the trip, even down to the minor details. They didn't feel comfortable "ratting out their teammates" and didnt give names but said the all but 4 or 5 players (Gonsalves wasn't one of those 4 or 5 players) drank on the trip and added that they were the only 4 who made the poor choice to use marijuana. Those kids were suspended for the remainder of the school year and were dismissed from the team. I have also heard that Gonsalves was heavily intoxicated both nights and the majority of the drinking the 2nd night was in his room. Soon after the review boards of the players that were initially caught on the trip every player was called in and questioned by administration. Almost everyone who was called in after the inital 4 review boards that drank beer those 2 nights lied about what they did and effectively "got away with it." Some of the guys admitted to drinking and were given one or two week suspensions from school and from the team. Gonsalves lied about drinking on both nights and lied about seeing teammates drinking. He was caught in his lie and was suspended from the team for 30 days. So much for ZERO tolerance. Him missing playing time is what caused him to lose draft stock. personally, I think dishonesty is worse than the acts themselves. All in all I think the punishments were too severe for all parties considering they are 17 and 18 year old High School Baseball players with little or no adult or coach supervision on the trip. I think it was about time that the cover be lifted on this story and the truth come out, not that I think the offenses were anything but minor anyways. The last time I talked to the players they have moved on from the incident and are ready for another year of school/baseball/life and I am glad to see Stephen is excelling and on his way up in the system.
