Baseball has once again disappointed me. Between Ryan Braun’s positive test for PEDs and the reinstatement of 2 time offender Manny Ramirez, baseball has once again been diminished.
Everyone talks about the steroids era. They talk about it as if all steroid usage was concentrated to just those years. That outside of that and due to the fact that MLB thinks they have taken some kind of action against steroid usage, that it is no longer an issue. That no one playing now or outside of the steroid era is using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Maybe someone needs to check MLB execs for drug usage because that’s just ignorant. Read more... (605 words, 1 image, estimated 2:25 mins reading time)
So, Manny Ramirez has decided to retire rather than face another suspension for failing a drug test. Not surprising in the least, either the failed test or the walking away. Once again, a lack of character taints an entire career and for Ramirez this is just the latest example.
Ramirez is one of those sports figures that gets a lot of press. Not necessarily because of his on the field performance, though over some of the 19 years of his career they were quite good (but most likely PED enhanced), but for his demeanor and look. Ramirez is one of those guys that the sports media eats up with a spoon. They get down on their knees and pray that he does something they can spin into stories for a couple of weeks. And more often than not, he was more than willing to give it to them. Read more... (530 words, 1 image, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)
Jose Guillen has set a deadline of next week for possible retirement. Guillen said that if a team doesn’t make him an offer by next week that he will officially retire. Guillen also said that he has directed his agent to put out feelers for any team looking for a DH or outfielder. So far, no takers as yet.
Guillen is 34 years old and he has played 14 years with 10 different teams in the majors. In 2010, he batted .258 with 19 HRs and 77 RBIs in 148 games with Kansas City and San Francisco, but missed the entire postseason with the Giants due to a neck injury. Guillen is also still under federal investigation for a shipment of human growth hormone allegedly sent to his wife in California. This may be the main reason he is not receiving any offers from major league teams. Most will want to avoid any connection with a possible PED scandal. Read more... (293 words, 1 image, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)
I find myself at odds with my own beliefs with Andy Pettitte. As a baseball purist, I would never vote for or consider him for the HOF. As an admitted steroid user, I believe he has no place in the Hall of Fame. That said, I enjoyed watching him pitch more than almost any other pitcher in the game. He was intense. He wanted to win every game. He was a fighter. He was masterful to watch throw. Damn you Andy. Read more... (337 words, 1 image, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
There are 33 players eligible to be selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 5. This year the steroid issue intensified even more and more and more it is affecting how the votes are cast. Whereas Hall of Fame votes used to center on stats now there is a lot more to consider and a lot of it in the murky depths of speculation. While some players should never be in the hall in my opinion, still others shouldn’t be kept out just on the “taint” alone of when they played and the possibility that they may have used steroids. Read more... (394 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)
Roger “The Rocket” Clemens will be indicted today on chargers of perjury by federal authorities based on testimony he made before Congress in February 2008. Clemons has since all but dared anyone to prove he was lying when he said he wasn’t taking steroids. Seems the federal government intends to try and do just that.
In order to prove perjury, the feds will have to come up with evidence that proves his statements that he never used PED’s is false. In order to do that, they need evidence, actual evidence, that he took them. In this day and age I think that would probably mean blood samples, DNA, something absolutely concrete. You aren’t going to prove a perjury case, a federal perjury case, on he said he said. Read more... (326 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)
MLB commissioner Bud Selig announced that starting immediately minor leaguers will be tested for HGH (human growth hormone). In a move to combat the use of PEDs, major league baseball has decided to start testing for HGH using blood tests administered right after games of non-40 man roster players randomly at select minor league affiliate teams.
Those who test positive will receive the standard 50 game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. MiLB has been on the forefront of PEDs testing and in the belief that the catch them early philosophy is the best way to approach the subject. Just this week, five minor league players were suspended 50 games each for violating the substance abuse policy. Read more... (260 words, 1 image, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)
by Patton on February 24, 2010
Well, the Steroid Era has officially had its first major effect on the Minors. Major League Baseball is going to start testing for HGH in the minors this season after the first positive tests came back last season. The minors seem like this “parallel universe” where players are groomed for the Majors, but aren’t really governed by the MLB (even though they are). This brings the reality of the league’s policies to the minor leagues in a way that will drastically effect the way teams put their farm systems together.
You see, every time a guy comes up to the Majors in this new system there shouldn’t be any question as to what he was doing in the Minors. Before this we could have speculated about what might have gone on in the Minors that wasn’t “above board” but also wasn’t being noticed. Now, everything is getting noticed. Read more... (321 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)
Yesterday for the first time Mark McGwire admitted to using steroids during his playing days. This came as a shock to well, absolutely nobody. After years of denial he finally admitting to using the drugs for “health reasons.” This past Hall of Fame vote McGwire received just 23.7% of the votes to get in, a “yes you are in” takes 75% of the votes. Now that he has finally come clean does this mean McGwire will get into the Hall of Fame? Read more... (385 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)
Today Mark McGwire finally came clean, after years of speculation. McGwire admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during the 1998 season. The season he broke Roger Maris’ Homerun record.
“I wish I had never touched steroids, it was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era.”
Like many players who have come clean McGwire claimed he used them to get back onto the field, and recover from injuries.
I suppose after all this time guilt had finally gotten to McGwire. One has to wonder if this will cause a trickle down effect. First Alex Rodriguez now McGwire, who could be next to admit steroid use? With the game of Baseball seemingly doing all they can to rid the game of steroids and the era itself, this was another huge step. Read more... (205 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)
