In 1985, Hernandez's previous cocaine use (and distribution of the drug to other players), which had been the subject of persistent rumors and the chief source of friction between Hernandez and Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog, became a matter of public record as a result of the Pittsburgh trial of drug dealer Curtis Strong. MLB Commissioner Peter Ueberroth found that Hernandez was among seven players who had used cocaine and been involved in its distribution. The players received season-long suspensions, that were commuted on condition that they donated ten percent of their base salaries to drug-abuse programs, submitted to random drug testing, and contributed 100 hours of drug-related community service. Hernandez has always maintained that his cocaine use was recreational and limited to a time when baseball players routinely used the drug and have adamantly denied he ever distributed the drug. Initially, Hernandez considered challenging Ueberroth's finding against him, but ultimately accepted the option available, which allowed him to avoid missing any playing time. Part of his reasoning was that he expected the Mets to make a World Series run in 1986.