More PED Users To Be Fingered Soon
From the Times:
When representatives from Major League Baseball met with members of the Albany district attorney’s office on Monday they were looking to get a better handle on the investigation into an extensive prescription-drug distribution ring, a probe that has already seen a number of major league players linked to the purchase of performance-enhancing drugs.
Whether baseball can establish a working relationship with the investigators remains to be seen. What is almost certain is that more names of major leaguers are going to be disclosed in connection with the case. One person who has been briefed on the situation but was not authorized to speak publicly said baseball expects the names of perhaps 10 more players to emerge as the investigation continues to unfold.
Over the last week, news reports have linked Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus and Jay Gibbons to shipments of human growth hormone and steroids.
Is it wrong of me to fear that one or more of these players to be named will be primary members of the 2007 Yankees while I also hope that one or more of these players to be named will be primary members of the 2007 Red Sox?
Even with the rivalry, it is wrong to hope that prominent baseball players have used steroids. It mars the sanctity of the game, and who hopes for that?
Although, on the other hand, if it is guaranteed that there are players to be named, I don’t think it’s wrong to hope that the Red Sox shoulder some of the burden. Members of the Sox that I wouldn’t be horribly surprised were users:
Ortiz (obviously)
Varitek
‘Nancy’ Drew
And although it would be almost impossible to think Pedroia used HGH (he’s frickin 5’7″), I just hope something comes out on him. He’s one of the most arrogant, insufferable shits in the game.
While I second the idea that I hope no more names will come out, it’s hard not to think that it will happen.
But if players are going to be hit, I think it will be from all fronts of baseball. I would think that most of the hits will be fringe players (like Ankiel) who are desperately trying to get into the show and will do whatever it takes to make it. But it would also not shock me to hear really big names trying to make the big payday…
Eh, Shadenfreude’s human, if not noble – especially considering how sanctimonious Sox fans can be. But I do think I’m a bad person for wanting Rocket to bean Pedroia in the gut.
I would be fairly suprised if Ortiz was on ‘roids, however I would also be very suprised if Schilling was NOT on ‘roids.
I am with you brockdc, for some reason I just really hate Pedroia
Putting aside the ethical issue…
Can someone please explain to me why these athletes (baseball players, football players, etc.) so nonchalantly connect their names to the ‘roids they bought? People are signing receipts, having it delivered to their houses, writing checks. Are they insane or just stupid? The most amazing thing about this so far is how a lot of the players didn’t even put much shade on the fact that they were buying illegal drugs. You’re talking about your career here.
I’m not so sure that it will only be fringe players. Gary Matthews Jr., Glaus and Rodney Harrison (a big-time football player) were all getting their ‘roids and HGH from one place in Florida (if I’m not mistaken). It seems like this was THE place to get your stuff from and everyone knew it. So there’s a chance big names could come out.
I think people are starting to not care about ‘roids in baseball. When it hit about Bonds and Giambi, it was nonstop press. Then the hearings and Canseco and Mac and Sosa, etc., and ESPN loves to talk about it and the newspapers love to write about it. But now a World Series MVP gets busted and… not much. You would figure a player like Glaus being connected to ‘roids would be a huge deal, but really it’s just faded away.
I guess I’m far too cynical at this point to believe that the Red Sox would ever have a scandal land on their doorstep. I’m sure Senator George Mitchell, a member of the Red Sox ownership/management team, would be well-connected enough with any investigation that he’d be able to quash a potentially embarrassing leak at least until after the season ended.
On another note, I don’t hate Pedroia because he’s not good enough to hate. I do hate Youkilis, however. One look at the size of that melon, together with his insane fits of rage, and I’m totally convinced that he’s sharing needles with Mike “The Chin” Timlin.
Anyone else see some Chad Curtis in Pedroia? That’s why I can’t hate him.
How about Manny and some PEDs? No one thinks that’s possible? If Varitek’s name came up, that would not shock me.
Manny’s excuse: “I thought they were PEZ”
There’s probably a few on every team. What I’d like to see is the effort going into baseball right now also be applied to football. I cannot believe that those behemoths are not on steroids HGH and a bunch of other things.
Baileywalk, go over to firejoemorgan.com and read Mike Pags’s blog entry — wow they ripped a new one there, I can believe some athletes are that stupid/oblivious/focused ont their performance that they don’t think of the consequences.
Gary Matthews is actually a good example – of fringe player looking for a big payday. Before his Angels contract, he was I believe, the very definition of a utility player playing on 8 teams in 8 years
99 – Padres
00-01 – Cubs, Pitt
02 – Orioles, Mets
03 – Orioles, Padres
04-06 – Texas
07 – Angels
He was a nomad until he took his HGH and had a career year in Texas to get his $50 mil contract from the Angels – who are now looking to void that contract.
firejoemorgan.com has been temproarily disabled.
I would be surprised if Manny was a user. Like Bonds, he was always very, very good, so I guess that’s his ‘excuse’ for the insane numbers he put up year after year. But unlike Bonds, Manny has never had a crazy spike in production, and his body and head never grew to monstrous sizes. Also, he just doesn’t seem like the type.
>> Anyone else see some Chad Curtis in Pedroia? That’s why I can’t hate him. >>
Why not? I didn’t care much for Curtis when we had him either.
>> But unlike Bonds, Manny has never had a crazy spike in production, and his body and head never grew to monstrous sizes. >>
Unless you count his currently enormous head of hair.
Manny’s excuse: “I thought they were PEZ”
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Thanks, I needed that laugh
If there’s one guy I’m sure of that never used PED’s it’s Manny. The guy, great as he is, has always skated by on 75% of his natural ability. Does he strike anyone as a particularly hard worker or extremely committed to his craft or his team? He’s a lazy guy who likes to have fun and hit a baseball. I doubt he even knows where the weight room is in Fenway Park.
Can someone please explain to me why these athletes (baseball players, football players, etc.) so nonchalantly connect their names to the ‘roids they bought?
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Because it was accepted, and therefore not really a big deal.