Former World Series Champ John Wetteland Maintains Innocence Following Charges of Child Sex Abuse

The career of one of the most dominant relievers of the '90s could be rendered irrelevant if indeed former Yankees, Expos, and Rangers reliever John Wetteland is found guilty of recent charges of repeated sexual abuse against a child.

Wetteland, 52, was charged with continuous sex abuse of a child. The three-time All-Star is vehemently denying these charges, saying he is "completely shocked." He plans to plead not guilty.

Police in Bartonville, Texas charged Wetteland with continuous abuse of a child that started in 2004, when Wetteland asked a child (who was four, at the time) to perform a sexual act on him. Wetteland was arrested in January but was released on $25,000 bond.

Wetteland played 12 big league seasons, ending up 15th on the all-time lis with 330 saves. While in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame, he is perhaps most famous for recording the final out in the 1996 World Series for the New York Yankees, a series in which he won Most Valuable Player.

If any of these charges were to be proven true, Wetteland's baseball career will be forever muddied by horrific transgressions following his retirement.