Yankees Pitcher Jailed for Vegas Gambling Debts

Shawn Chacon, who once pitched for the New York Yankees, was arrested Monday in Greeley, Colorado, for a warrant that alleges he wrote bad checks to Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas last spring.

Authorities in Vegas have decided not to extradite Chacon.  Weld County Sheriff deputies eventually released him.

"He doesn't have any local charges; we were just holding him on that warrant only," said Weld Sheriff spokesman Shane Scofield. "They've now indicated they're not going to extradite, so he'll be released."

According to reports, Chacon is wanted in Las Vegas on allegations that he failed to pay $150,000 in gambling markers and is facing a felony charge of writing three bad checks for $50,000 each to Caesar's Palace in March.

Chacon was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round of the 1996 draft.  He pitched there until 2005 then was traded to the New York Yankees.  Chacon has also pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.  He was named to the Major League All-Star team in 2003.

Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com