Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco recently was placed on baseball’s restricted list and will be on a leave from the team, as the league investigates allegations from media posts that Franco was involved in an improper relationship with a minor.

It is another blow to the Rays, who have scuffled since their 13-0 start. Yet, Franco’s incident is another one added to the list of players’ brushes with the law.

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column, I’ll take a look at some of the more notable players involved in these types of altercations as well as some league and fantasy notes and other tidbits.

And who were the Phillies’ “bad boys?”

Faltering Phillies: We all know about Pete Rose’s gambling problems that led to his lifetime ban from baseball in 1989. However, if you remember, it wasn’t the end of his problems.

The following year, Rose failed to report more than $350,000 in income from autograph and memorabilia sales and personal appearances for four years beginning in 1984.

He plead guilty and served five months in prison from August 1990 until January 1991.

In June 2012, Lenny Dykstra was convicted of grand theft auto, providing false information, bankruptcy fraud, concealment of assets, and money laundering. He received a total of 8 years for all of the crimes, but he served a jail sentence of 15 months.

Along with Rose, ex-Phillies’ outfielder Jerry Martin served 81 days in 1983-84 for attempting to purchase cocaine.

Former Met and Phillie pitcher Jerry Koosman got six months for tax evasion in 2009, and fellow former Phillie pitcher Mark Grace (remember him?) did four months for a DUI and endangerment in 2013.

Former Phillies’ reliever Ugueth Urbina served 5.5 years for attempted murder beginning in 2006.

Tigers’ Tale: When speaking about players who served jail time, Detroit’s Denny McLain usually is near the top of any list, mainly because he was the game’s last 30-game winner with a 31-6 record in 1968.

In 1985, McLain was sentenced to 23 years in prison by a federal judge who chided him for not accepting his conviction on racketeering, extortion and drug-dealing charges. He served 97 months.

Back in the day, I also remember ex-Tiger Gates Brown, who served 22 months for breaking and entering before his baseball career. There was outfielder and recognized base-stealer Ron LeFlore, who served three years for armed robbery in the early 70s.

You Know The Eric Clapton Song: In the 1980s, cocaine unfortunately fell into the wrong hands of numerous players. Those who served time due to it were Kansas City’s Willie Aikens (14 years and 81 days), Oakland’s Vida Blue (36 months), Chicago’s LaMarr Hoyt (17 months), and Baltimore’s Sammy Stewart (105 months), and journeyman pitcher Esteban Loaiza (17 months).

Dwight Gooden was a high-profile case, and he did a year for a parole violation in 2006, and teammate Darryl Strawberry served 18 months in 2002.

Best of the Worst: There were plenty of players in the late 1960 as well as the 70s, 80s, and 90s, that we can recall who took a wrong turn.

How about ex-Dodger Raul Mondesi, who got eight years in 2017 for public corruption and embezzlement? Or Boston’s Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, who received 120 days for threatening his mistress?

Slugger Orlando Cepeda did 10 months for possession of marijuana. Former Yankee and Guardian Mel Hall is serving a 45-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency.

Last year, ex -Yankee pitcher Sergio Mitre received a 40–60-year sentence in Mexico for the death of a toddler.

It is never a pleasant topic, but it is a reality. If you think of anyone I missed, please let me know.

I Love LA: Randy Newman recorded a song with that title (“I Love LA”) in 1983. Baseball and LA fans always have had a love affair with the Dodgers.

This year, Dodger fans lately have been feeling good about their team. Since the trade deadline, the Dodgers have quietly posted a 17-2 mark and had won 11 straight. As of Sunday morning, the Dodgers had a 12-game lead over the second-place Giants.

A huge part of their success has been the pitching staff, which has posted an ERA under 2.50 over their last 17 games. During the streak, the staff also has held opponents to a batting average hovering around .200.

Speaking of the trade deadline, pickup pitcher Lance Lynn has settled in nicely and fellow hurler Clayton Kershaw has found his stride again.

The Dodgers also recently signed former Seattle all-star infielder Kolten Wong, and temporarily sent him to their Triple-A affiliate. Won was hitting just .165 in Seattle, but he could be a valuable insurance policy down the stretch.

Phillie Fantasy: The season is gradually coming to an end, and pickups and plays down the stretch will be crucial.

Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Aaron Nola all should be plays down the stretch. All three will be critical to the team’s Wild Card run and possibly deeper into the postseason.

Nola also will be pitching for his free agency ahead.

Just Above The Low Mark: It was August 20, 1961, and the Phillies set and ended a dubious record.

In game one of a doubleheader against the then Milwaukee Braves, the Phils dropped a 5-2 decision, extending their team-record losing streak to 23 games. In the nightcap, they snapped their streak with a 7-4 victory.

Before their win, the Phillies were 1-28 in their last 29 games and registered losing streaks of seven, eight, and 10 games. They finished the year with a 47-107 record, a few wins ahead of the lowest-ever victory total. The 1942 Phillies had a 42-109 slate.

With the 1961 club, 34-year-old Robin Roberts had a 1-10 record. Art Mahaffey led the team with 11 wins (11-19) and John Buzhardt had a 6-18 record. Closer Frank Sullivan was 3-16 with just six saves. Outfielder Tony Gonzalez had the highest batting average with a .277 clip.

Pittsburgh Plummet: What happened to the Buccos? Pittsburgh was one of the better storylines to begin the season with a 20-9 record on May 1. They emerged as early contenders for the NL Central crown, a division that appeared to be up for grabs.

However, it hasn’t been a good summer. Since their fast start, the Pirates have posted a 34-59 record and slipped to fourth place.

Turn the Tables: The Yankees and the Red Sox had a weekend series at Yankee Stadium, and it certainly has lost a lot of its luster with the current state of the floundering clubs.

The Yankees have been hovering around the .500 mark all season, but they raised their mark to 30-20 on May 23. Since then, they have gone 30-45. The Yanks are in the AL East basement, and are nine games out of a Wild Card berth, and they lead baseball in innings trailing with 156.

The Red Sox struggled coming out of the gates as a club in transition, and they were 26-20 on May 23. Since then, they have gone a modest 39-38 and pulled themselves up from the cellar into fourth place.

As Richie Ashburn said to Harry Kalas in his deadpanned voice, ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

Feedback: Your comments, thoughts, and ideas are always welcomed at tnsports@tnonline.com