Black Sox Denied Gold Medal After Venezuelan Pitcher’s Doping Case

The Black Sox of New Zealand will not receive a gold medal from the recent World Cup, following a doping violation involving Venezuelan pitcher Maiker Pimentel. Despite Pimentel’s disqualification due to a positive test for a banned anabolic steroid, Softball New Zealand has expressed disappointment that the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) did not consider a special case for team sanctions.

In July, Pimentel led Venezuela to a 3-0 victory over the Black Sox in the World Cup final. On August 5, the WBSC confirmed Pimentel’s three-year ban after he tested positive for stanozolol, a substance prohibited in sports since 1974. According to the International Testing Agency (ITA), Pimentel accepted the penalty, which will keep him ineligible until August 5, 2028.

The WBSC’s statement emphasized that Pimentel has been disqualified from all results and awards since his positive test on July 12, 2025. This includes stripping him of his World Cup gold medal and Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. However, the final standings of the World Cup remain unchanged, meaning Venezuela retains their gold, and the Black Sox are awarded silver.

According to WBSC rules, which align with those set by the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA), teams can only be stripped of titles if “two or more members” breach doping regulations. This policy has drawn criticism from Softball New Zealand’s chair, Hoani Lambert, who believes that the case warranted a review for a team sanction.

Lambert expressed his disappointment regarding the situation, stating, “We are really disappointed in the positive test for Pimentel. He played quite an important role in Venezuela’s win at the World Cup.” He noted that the individual performance of a player like Pimentel can significantly influence the outcome of a match, suggesting that the WBSC could have exercised discretion to impose a stricter sanction.

Pimentel’s impact on the tournament was considerable, as he pitched a total of 34 innings across six games, achieving a 4-1 record with a 2.88 ERA. He led the tournament with four wins and recorded 58 strikeouts, significantly more than his closest competitor. During the final, he struck out nine Black Sox batters and allowed only three hits, demonstrating his dominance.

While Pimentel’s suspension lasts until 2028, the Black Sox may face him again if Venezuela qualifies for future tournaments. Lambert remarked on the positive developments within the Black Sox team, highlighting the successful rebuilding of team culture under coach Thomas Makea. He added that a review of the campaign is underway, with announcements regarding coaching reappointments expected soon.

The use of stanozolol, a synthetic anabolic steroid, has been controversial in sports. It enhances muscle growth and strength, leading to its prohibition in competitive sports. The most notable case involving this substance occurred in 1988 when Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was disqualified from the Seoul Olympics after testing positive.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of doping regulations on team sports continue to be a topic of debate. The Black Sox, with a storied history of seven world titles, now look to the future as they regroup and strategize for upcoming competitions.