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As of this afternoon at 3:00 ET on Sept. 7, both Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals and Troy Glaus of the Toronto Blue Jays have been accused of using HGH before 2005. Now, Troy Glaus I predicted, but Ankiel surprised me when it truly shouldn't. With the amount of current players that have taken 'roids, why would the amazing comeback pitcher-turned-hitter go unsuspected? After all, he is a pure power hitter with a fairly bulky size for his height, although not McGwire-like. He underwent 2 years of rehabilitation for various injuries sustained, and was under constant medical attention. The signs were there, although not nearly as evident or doubtless as as for some players. Perhaps I (or we) were too caught up with one of today's few feel-good stories to be skeptical. Perhaps it was my inner homer inside me as a Cardinal fan that wouldn't let me suspect him. Either way, while I can see the justification for medical needs and legality and whatnot, it's still quite disappointing, esecially during a point in the season where St. Louis doesn't need any more distractions.
Anyway, on to the point of the blog. Recently, it was revealed that 45 unnamed currnet and unactive players are being requested to talk to "investigators" under George Mitchell about suspected steroid and/or HGH usage. With the sudden release of the names of 2 big name players, one has to wonder: Is this the opening of the floodgates? Likely not. Chances are, the names of the players themselves will not be released until at least after the World Series concludes. Releasing names now would be chaotically hectic in the midst of regular season playoff chase. But 2 allegations in one day? I fully understand that Ankiels case was uncovered by the New York Daily News and Troy Glaus by SI.com, but both were part of a Florida-based Signiture Pharmacy client list that were shipped HGH supplements. I wouldn't be surprised to see 1 or 2 more names pop up soon.
Upon further thought, one comes across another thought: Do we want the floodgates to open up?? Think about this: We all want the steroids scandal to be broken up so it can be dismantled, and then destroyed. But what would that do to baseball? If you think people are disgusted with the MLB right now, think about what will happen when 45, 50, 100 baseball players are called out for growth supplement usage. This guy, and that guy, and that guy's friend, and that guy's friend's daughter, and her best friend, and her boyfriend, and his cousins' favorite players are all unraveled by steroid accusations. The credibility of the MLB would tumble, and fingers get pointed every which way. If baseball can survive that, then it can survive anything. Personally, I'm worried. If substance abusers aren't pointed out at all, then MLB popularity will continue to go down, down, and down, but like stated, if a mass amount of players are reported, then chaos occurs.
For shoots and giggles, here's a list of big names who have admitted, been implicated, or tested positive for testosterone:
Admitted:
Implicated:
- Mark McGwire
Bret Boone
Juan Gonzalez
Dave Martinez
Ivan Rodriguez
Miguel Tejada
Lenny Dykstra
Roger Clemens
Andy Pettitte
Brian Roberts
Jay Gibbons
Gary Matthews Jr.
Jerry Hairston Jr.
David Bell
Tested Positive:
Good luck, MLB, and godspeed.
Phew. It's been a while since I've done this.
Will Ferrel & Heidi Klum
Jessica White
Hall of Fame ballot: Holdovers
Hall of Fame ballot: Newcomers
Comments (20) Add A Comment
Jay Gibbons has a weird face. He looks so weird. Not like that has anything to do with this blog..
LMAO @ Felix Heredia. God, he sucked big time.
These guys were nothing special either: David Bell, Jarry Hairston Jr, Matt Lawton, Alex Sanchez(was with the Yanks for 30 seconds, actually...same thing for Lawton), and I never knew Ryna Franklin tested positive. Good blog. Hanley Ramirez & Ervin Santana Rule All.
Coletrain
Total Comments (10918)
*Ryan* Don't know who Ryna Franklin is...
Coletrain
Total Comments (10918)
http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/57130
Ankiel did it before it was illegal and he did it because of injury. He stopped when it became illegal. Honestly, though, I dont know what to think.
my time has come
Total Comments (1227)
I wonder hiya.....I wonder...
Coletrain
Total Comments (10918)
YEAH CARDSOX! YOU BLOGGED!
erwin: Back Again.
The Big House, MI
Total Comments (2186)
Either way, mizzou, it's an issue of morals as well. That's the part that makes it disappointing to hear.
Not all of those players are "big" name players. But they're players that are the most known. Some of the players on the list were so out there that I don't even think their mothers knew who they were.
Cardsox
Middle Of The..., US
Total Comments (9999)
YEAH ERWIN! I DID! IT'S A RUSH!
Cardsox
Middle Of The..., US
Total Comments (9999)
I don't think real baseball fans care about this as much as you think. I think people like that the names are coming out of the woodwork. It is a way to start moving on. Even if a favorite player of yours is called out, people have to take it for what it is and move on. People have to realize that when these athletes are accused of taking this ****, there is much more to the story than meets the eye. We will never know the full truth behind each story, nor should we try. I don't think MLB or the NFL will take a hit at all from this. We will accept it for what it is and move on.
cczombie
Holden, MA
Total Comments (89)
Pettitte was implicated?
hyperRevue
Total Comments (6308)
So far, no player I've really liked has been implicated or busted. I really wonder how I'd respond if Ortiz or Varitek became linked. Here's hoping I don't have to find out.
hyperRevue
Total Comments (6308)
Let's celebrate, cuz Cardsox FINALLY blogged!!!
erwin: Back Again.
The Big House, MI
Total Comments (2186)
Partayy baby! Next up on my list of things to do before I die: Throwdown!
Personally, I suspect Ortiz and perhaps Pujols, too. I might cry if it turns out they did. ...Varitek is somewhat plausible, too...
Cardsox
Middle Of The..., US
Total Comments (9999)
But if Manny gets implicated and says that he didn't know what he was taking, it's probably true.
hyperRevue
Total Comments (6308)
Or if he says he got it out of someone else's locker, that's definitely true.
hyperRevue
Total Comments (6308)
Manny? Manny is one of the few big sluggers who I don't suspect at all of taking steroids. I just don't see it. Then again, I don't think anyone saw Rafael Palmeiro coming, either.
Cardsox
Middle Of The..., US
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PARTY AT ATROO GROU! WOOHOO!
erwin: Back Again.
The Big House, MI
Total Comments (2186)
Party....for what?
Big Ben68
Total Comments (20944)
LET'S DO IT!
Cardsox
Middle Of The..., US
Total Comments (9999)
good blog
Denis24
Fort Wayne, IN
Total Comments (2187)
Ortiz...NOT. However, there was a buzz about Vtek last year when his numbers were off. And this is the shame of all this. Every player is going to good years and bad years. The minute we see a bad year, the implications will be made that this was the year he stopped using. Cheaters end up causing problems for regular guys, and everyone is under suspicion. And THAT'S what's killing MLB.
upstatebosoxbabe
Rochester , NY
Total Comments (864)
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