Pro athletes understand gambling on their games is a non-negotiable no-no. Some learned the hard way

BOSTON (AP) — Professional athletes get the lecture at the start of every season, and see the warnings any time they walk into their locker room or clubhouse: If you gamble on your games, the consequences are severe.

And, every once in a while, there is a more personal reminder.

When Major League Baseball banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for life – following the NBA’s permanent exile of Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter in April – it reinforced the message that the talk about gambling isn’t just talk.

“What you do in the dark will come to light, I guess,” Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen said this week after Marcano, his former teammate, was banished. “And you’ve got to deal with the consequences of poor choices.”