Empathy For Jay Gibbons

If you have a chance to check out ESPN.com this evening, you should probably read "Players like Bonds, Gibbons, Logan Struggle To Find Work". It's a pretty eye-opening piece on how some unemployed players who implicated in the Mitchell Report have had a very hard time finding work and are still on the market.

Obviously, we know the saga of Barry Bonds, but much of the piece is devoted to former Oriole Jay Gibbons.

Thus, if you read the piece, you'll also see a letter -- an impassioned one -- that he wrote to all 30 teams within baseball.

Here's some of what he wrote:

I have faith and hope that some team will give me the chance to prove that I can not only be a productive player but also be a stellar member of their organization. My faith in a second chance has inspired me to work harder than I have at any time in my life. My faith has gotten me through this most difficult period in my life.

All I need is a chance -- any chance -- anywhere. I am more than willing to begin the process of proving that I can and will be a productive major league player by playing in the minor leagues.

Also...

I am so willing to prove myself as a player, and a person, that I will donate ALL of my minor league earnings to your Club's charity. In the event that I earn the right to play at the major league level, I will gladly donate a significant sum to that same charity.

Once again, all I need is a chance and I will prove that I can be an extremely productive player and a great addition to your organization.

Well, I have chastised our former slugger, but also feel tremendous empathy for him, as I have talked to him a few times and seen him interact with others -- especially kids -- in PR/community for the team.

I'll say, he may have cheated for whatever reason, but honestly, I think he should get another chance to play baseball, considering some of the other players who were in the report are employed and still have their careers intact. Furthermore, not to criticize other players, but he's unemployed mostly for the fact HE DIDN'T PRODUCE.

That's really it. If he were a .300 hitter with 35 homers a year annually, someone would justify him being employed and take the sword for him. It's that simple.

I do think Jay cheated and stole money? Yes. However, there's a long list -- perhaps maybe multiplied by the amount of players not in the Mitchell Report who have profited handsomely from the specter of drugs and the brass of Major Baseball turning it's back to an obvious problem.

Perhaps Gibbons may be closer to finding work as the Sun posted this:

From The Baltimore Sun:Gibbons, whom the Orioles released in March, several months after he admitted to using human growth hormone and agreed to a Major League Baseball-imposed suspension, said he expects to sign with a New York- or New Jersey-based Atlantic League club by tomorrow and should be in uniform within days.

"I want to continue my career and start over," said Gibbons, 31. "This is an opportunity, and that is all I have been looking for."

Gibbons has split time in his native California and his offseason Arizona home waiting to catch on with another organization. In May, he sent a letter to the other 29 baseball organizations asking for an opportunity to play.

I think he's served his punishment by just the embarrassment factor alone. He was hung out to dry by Major League Baseball, and was pretty much tried and convicted by most fans on the 'net, sports talk radio as well as the press.

In the end, I only wish Jay Gibbons the best of luck getting a spot back into the sport, as I believe he's truly sorry, wants forgiveness, and a chance to play again -- unlike some of the others who have been implicated, who have either lawyered up or refused to talk.

Why would I want him to be employed again? I think despite Jay Gibbons have been a multi-millionaire several times over and over should be given another shot despite his inclusion in the Mitchell Report. Obviously, he's starting from square one and will need to earn his spot, but from the letter I have read he's shown a lot of contrition, and considering some of his peers are playing despite also being in the document -- Gibbons should be given a chance to prove and redeem himself.

Before I go, one person needs to be singled out for his compassion -- Tigers' GM Dave Dombrowski for at least responding to Gibbons letter with dignity and decorum, despite the team not being interested in his service.

Roger Clemens Issues Another Mea Culpa…

In an effort to save not only face, but his reputation, Roger Clemens once again denied ever using steroids.

From the Baltimore Sun: Roger Clemens posted a video today repeating his denials of the steroids use alleged against him in the Mitchell Report. He also said he would be interviewed for a future episode of "60 Minutes," but a spokesman for CBS said nothing has been finalized.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner was accused in the report of using steroids, an allegation made by his former trainer.

In October last year, the Los Angeles Times reported Clemens was linked to steroids in the May 2006 sworn statement of a federal agent who cited former big league pitcher Jason Grimsley. At the time, the names of players in the public version had been blacked out. When the full affidavit was unsealed Thursday, Clemens' name was not in it, and the paper issued a correction and an apology.

"I faced this last year when the L.A. Times reported that I used steroids. I said it was not true then, and now the whole world knows it's not true, now that that's come out," Clemens said in the video, which was posted Sunday on the Web site of his foundation and on You Tube.

Looks like Roger is definitely going on the offensive to clear his name...

The Mitchell Report Is Allegedly In The Hands of Major League Baseball...

It looks like business is about to pick up -- real soon. According to the New York Daily News, Major League Baseball has the Mitchell Report...

Major League Baseball officials are reviewing George Mitchell's long-anticipated steroid report at the former Senate majority leader's law offices, 21 months after commissioner Bud Selig asked Mitchell to investigate the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

Officials arrived at Mitchell's Manhattan office Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the investigation who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the topic, and began what is believed to be a 48-hour review period before Mitchell releases the report on Thursday. The report is believed to contain the names of 60-80 former and current players, according to sources, and is based in large part on information provided to Mitchell by former clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski.

"We cannot comment on anything," MLB spokesman Rich Levin said.

MLB officials were reviewing the information in the report to make sure there are no disclosures of confidential information that would violate the collective bargaining agreement.

Mitchell is expected to hold a press conference following the release of the report.

We shall see what happens; however, in the meantime, how many Red Sox or Yankees do you expect to see in the Mitchell Report?

The Mitchell Report Out Next Thursday!!!

Well, folks it looks like the long-awaited Mitchell report is coming out next week!

From Boston.comIt's the findings of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's 20-month investigation into performance-enhancing drugs, a modern-day Black Sox scandal that has tarnished many of the game's greatest stars and records.

Although some are sure to claim it's one-sided and outdated, it has given players and executives cause for pause.

"Well, it ain't Merry Christmas or Happy New Year for somebody," Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

And this is where a conflict of interest takes place...

But he also is a director with the World Series champion Red Sox, a role players say makes him hopelessly conflicted and an agent of Selig, who appointed him. Players also claim Mitchell refused to show those accused the evidence against them, denying them a chance to refute the allegations.

Let's say someone from the Red Sox appears on his report, what happens?

I would venture to know why George Mitchell was selected to head the investigation in the first place? How could a guy that does business with the Red Sox and is a close friend of the commisioner have been given such a task. If this were corporate America (where I am a IT director), this whole show would have been a severe conflict of interest. Hell, if this were a fortune 500 company, the whole investigation would have gotten so much atention in the media heads would roll; alas, there would be resignations right and left.

I laugh when I see all this. It's a joke and for fans who care, they are being taken for a ride. It's not stopped fans from coming, or buying souvenirs.

Personally as good as this may sound and perhaps may lead to a close of the steroid era, as we have seen in the last few days, the report will probably do little to punish anyone. Furthermore, what will we learn? For the names that are divulged, what will happen to them? In the end, who cares?

In the end, I think this whole steroid investigation capped off the by Mitchell Reports and the conclusions of it will nothing but a farce and may shed new light on a few things, but for the most it will make great afternoon reading.

I see nothing really happening besides the outing of players who will probably not be punished.

>>>>To Read More About the Orioles, check out Oriole Magic....

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The Mitchell Investigation; An Active Player Helping Out?

According to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, an active player is coming on board to help out with the investigation — voluntarily.

Twenty months into his investigation of steroid use in Major League Baseball, former Sen. George Mitchell for the first time has obtained voluntary cooperation from an active player.

According to a source familiar with the investigation, the player, whom the source did not name, volunteered to speak with Mitchell in the coming weeks, ending the wall of silence Mitchell had encountered in trying to get active players to cooperate without the leverage of subpoena power.

The source described the player as one of several players Mitchell wanted to question because of their previous public comments opposing steroid use, not because the player was connected to any steroid use of his own. The source said the interview with the player was scheduled to take place “very soon.”

This is very interesting, and you have got wonder what would compel someone to do this, when it is taboo to do so. I know the player is doing a great thing for the game and to the fans; however, you have got to what would happen if the person’s name was released.

I know some players are perturbed by whole steroid stench, but considering the strength of the players’ union, the unique situation of the locker room and the money involved, it’s little wonder why more are not taking a stronger stand against it.

In the end, though; do we really care?

I see this whole witch hunt as posturing by Major League Baseball. Until the powers that be in the sport institute Olympic style testing (not that there are not ways around it), everything will always come into question...

Paul Byrd and HGH; Perspective & Our Heroes Are Not What We Think They Are

In sports, entertainment or any walk of life, we all like, appreciate and honor a great story. However, as well, things are not as they seem.

Honored and praised for his performance in the playoffs, Cleveland starter Paul Byrd impressed fans and experts alike with his clutch performances during the ALDS and ALCS.

Now, everything has lost it's luster. We don't know if the allegations are, or if he he was used in a while, but this morning it was revealed that Indian pitcher Paul Byrd bought some HGH in 2005.

Paul Byrd, who pitched the Cleveland Indians to the brink of the World Series with a victory in Game 4 of the ALCS on Tuesday, reportedly admitted to taking human growth hormone under a doctor's care.

"I have not taken any hormone apart from a doctor's care and supervision," Byrd told Foxsports.com. "The Indians, my coaches and MLB have known that I have had a pituitary gland issue for some time and have assisted me in getting blood tests in different states. I am currently working with an endocrinologist and will have another MRI on my head after the season to make sure that the tumor hasn't grown."

A report Sunday in The San Francisco Chronicle said Byrd bought nearly $25,000 worth of human growth hormone and syringes. According to Foxsports.com, Byrd did not dispute that account.

Needless to say, the news puts a damper on the whole run by the Indians. At this point, I'd say it could be possible anyone could have bought PED's now. I'm not shocked, but considering Paul Byrd's statements on being a Christian, his anti-steroid statements, and his good guy image (I have talked a bit with him in Baltimore one night), it was a little surprising, but I am not shocked by anything I hear. People often say one thing and do another all the time.

At this point, I am considering him guilty in light of the American legal procedure, as in this case, it there's smoke, there's fire.

Maybe he did it to improve and come back from injuries or healing. I'd suspect he'd wanted to keep his spot in the sport and as well for financial benefit.

Good people sometimes do stupid things; alas, temptation is hard to turn down sometimes.

In the end, I'm just curious as to why the news of Paul Byrd has been divulged now?

The Rundown, Orioles Stuff and Random Thoughts

Well, we are in day two of a long off-season for the Orioles and rather than wait, changes have already been ushered.

Jaret Wright and Victor Zambrano have been released from their contracts, and the news should not have come to any surprise for fans. Wright only lasted three starts before his shoulder injury flared up, and although he tried to come back in September, it was for nothing.

Victor Zambrano -- need we say anything? There's a reason why teams have dumped him. He's not good, and his performance against the Blue Jays and on against the Yankees on Sunday show that's he for the most part is washed up.

Rock Kubatko has more on the developments in his blog, Roch Around the Clock.

***

Well, this offseason may be difficult for the Orioles considering the free agents that are available on the market and some of the contracts that the organization has given players. In an article on the Orioles MLB site, Spencer Fordin spoke to team Chief Operating Officer Andy MacPhail and he notes what the team is trying to accomplish in the off-season and what moves should be made.

Spencer Fordin has an Orioles Year in Review piece up. It's a nice little read; however, it does not tell us anything we do not already know.

The Baltimore Examiner reviews the Orioles' season, and columnists Sean Welsh and Matt Palmer argue who should be the team MVP - Markakis or Bedard...

The Orioles minor league system has made great strides over the past few years; however, it is still barren and a lot of their prospects are not ready for the big leagues as evidenced by the callups in September. As well, the Baltimore Sun looks at the organization's best and worst prospects.

***

Pressbox Online has an interview with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian and he laments about the state of baseball in the Baltimore-Washington area. He's a bright man, and a great baseball mind and the series of quotes you see below describe Baltimore's baseball problem succinctly:

"I am discouraged about the Orioles for the Orioles’ sake. I really thought they had started to get things moved around, and maybe they have as far as developing young players, and now they have to keep them healthy for once. But just the way they have played in the last couple of months, they just don’t look as competitive as a major league team should look. I’m not sure anybody is to blame, and maybe everybody is to blame.

I worry about them for one very big reason. People in Baltimore don’t care as much as they used to. When I covered the Orioles in the mid-'80s, they were pretty bad and people really cared no matter what. Now they are pretty bad, and people don’t seem to care as much. They play in one of the great ballparks on the face of the earth, and I have been there some nights where it is really dead. To me, that is so discouraging for any Orioles fan to go in there and see 16,000 quiet people on a bad night, and that’s what they need to fix first, is to get people interested again. They need to go out and get some more players, and they need to get more athletic, well-rounded players."

I don't think anymore needs to be said.

As well, if you have a moment, check out Jim Henneman's piece on the site...

***

Random Thoughts:

• Anyone catch the Rockies-Padres game? Wow. Boy, can you count on old Jorge Julio or what. Considering his mind and focus has never been on the game, he imploded when the season was on the line and when everything counted! If not for Trevor Hoffman being that much worse than Julio, he would be a guy whose name would live in baseball infamy. Now, Julio's implosion will most likely just be forgotten.
  


• Yet another fool is implicated in the Signature Pharamacy probe, and this time it is New York Met reliever, Scott Schoenweis.
  
  According to the AP, "Relief pitcher Scott Schoeneweis received six shipments of steroids in 2003 and 2004 from the Florida pharmacy under investigation for illegal distribution of performance-enhancing drugs, ESPN.com reported yesterday."
  
  I have no idea if the Mets and their fans feel better about things considering they choked this weekend and lost the NL East pennant.
  
  Now Schoeneweis is denying he ever got steroids.
  
  From Fox Sports: "New York Mets reliever Scott Schoeneweis says he has never heard of Signature Pharmacy or received shipments from Florida in response to allegations that he got steroids from the company at the center of an investigation into illegal prescription drug sales.
  
  "I don't even know what that is," Schoeneweis told The Daily News in New York late Monday. "Steroids in Florida? I never received anything from Florida. I'm not going to comment. I never even heard of it."
  
  Good lord. If that's the case, when why were you hooked up with Signature Pharmacy and why is your name on the orders?
  
  Just say you did it.
  
  However, I am wondering about the timing of these announcements. Why was this not done earlier, and why do we hear about these things at the most convenient times (ala, the Mets imploding and the News coming out a few days later...)
  

Steroids, Our Sensibilties and Athletes: Blah, Blah...

These days across the “Bottom Line” of ESPN, the thoughts of those in the media, online and amongst everyday fans, there’s one thing that is certain.

Sports are definitely not what it used to be.

Throughout the annals of American history, sports has not only served as entertainment for the masses, but also has helped to bridge gaps, races, and serves at time as a parable for life.

In 2007, fans are getting to see another side of sports that they didn’t want to see – the proliferation of athletes using performance enhancing drugs and steroids.

Today, I’m going to use baseball as an example as to what is going today.

While America was busy ripping Barry Bonds, pretty much an assumed cheater and jerk, the country found a new hero to root for.

Rick Ankiel.

This is the same man whose career started ever so brilliantly as a left handed hurler for the Cardinals; however, the dream went totally wrong as it flat-lined several years ago due to his inability to throw a strike across the plate.

Seemingly done as a pitcher, he rescued his career as hitter, but toiled in the minors for several seasons and battled injuries. Alas, with his God-given skills and ability to hit a baseball a long way, he made the long, sometimes perilous road back to the majors.

The failed pitcher is now a heroic slugger, worthy of praise and admiration.

He’s the made-for-Hollywood story we all long for and desire out of our athletes. His homers and exploits have helped a St. Louis Cardinals team that was reeling due to unspeakable tragedy and injuries back into the National League pennant chase.

There’s only one problem with the dream, and it’s a big bump in the road.

Ankiel ordered HGH (Human Growth Hormone) from Signature Pharmacy, the same drug outlet that has ensnared so many athletes and wrestlers today.

Barry Bonds and Rick Ankiel – two names connected together in sports infamy.

How we have responded to these two men says a lot about us as sports fans, our morality and as a culture.

Why do we hate Barry Bonds, but some people seemingly have let Rick Ankiel off the hook?

Well, the answer is simple.

Barry Bonds is a man that was blessed with great athletic ability and destined for Cooperstown, with or without drugs. Supremely talented, while at times, surly and difficult with fans and disliked by the media, Bonds did not endear himself to anyone perhaps outside of San Francisco due to the BALCO investigation.

Meanwhile, Rick Ankiel came from a turbulent, impoverished background, for the most part, kept his noise clean and worked at the seemingly impossible task of going from a pitcher to a slugger in the highest levels of professional baseball.

He purports that he was using HGH with a prescription to heal from injuries, which he may very well be telling the truth.

We want our heroes to be pure, humble, and relatable to the human condition, as well as a mirror image of what most would want to be as individuals.

Why do we jump on Bonds, while giving Ankiel as pass?

Simply one guy approached and subsequently broke one of the most hallowed records in sports, while the other was on the comeback trail.

Yep.

As much as we hate to admit, we can’t resist a good story and one ideal for a big budget movie.

What does it say about us?

We’re hypocritical, but we love to feel good about ourselves. Ankiel brought joy; Bonds anger and regret.

Our athletes today are gladiators, and we live and die vicariously through their exploits. Fans travel the world; spend their hard earned money to get face time and an autograph with their hero or heroine.

In the end, do we care whether or not our athletes are clean?

The stats say no. We all may complain and whine, but sports take up a particular vacuum in our society. Most people complain about the sanctity and purity of sports disappearing; however, do we stop talking about an event or events that for the most part are meaningless in the grand scheme of life?

Yes, we go on and on about the validity of the performances you see on the field and on the court; however, I take the approach of sports as I do of pro wrestling.

What you see in front of you isn’t necessarily reality.

The world has changed along with sports, technology and the media in general.

Steroids and performance enhancing drugs for many athletes in sports have served as a means to an end. No matter how much we have evolved as a society, cheating exists in all forms and sports are no exception.

We want our athletes to be role models, but can it ever be?

Let’s accept the modern day athlete for what he or she is – an entertainer and nothing more.

Professional sports, as much as I would love it to be, should not be a forum for social, or moral stands, except in the rarest of cases, like Jackie Robinson playing his first game in the majors. Sports should be celebrated for what they are – a diversion from the stresses, hardships and the ups and downs of life.

Bottom line, athletes are no different than all of us morally – they fall into temptation too, sadly.

The Drug Probe Hits Close to Home: Gibbons Implicated...

When it rains, it pours...

As if the Baltimore Orioles needed any more bad news on top of the losing & lack of fan support.

CNN and Sports Illustrated have reported that our own Jay Gibbons Gibbons received shipments of performance-enhancing steroids and human growth hormone from Signature Pharamcy based out of Orlando, Fl.

From CNNsi:

"In the ever-widening Signature Pharmacy scandal, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons is the latest pro athlete tied to an alleged illegal internet drug distribution network. According to information obtained by SI, Gibbons received shipments of performance-enhancing steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) from an Orlando-based compound pharmacy raided last spring as part of a multi-agency bust, even after both drugs were on Major League Baseball's banned substance list.

A source in Florida with knowledge of Signature Pharmacy's client list alleges that between October 2003 and July 2005, Gibbons received six separate shipments of Genotropin (a brand name for synthetic Human Growth Hormone), two shipments of testosterone and two shipments of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone produced naturally during pregnancy, but taken by anabolic steroid users to stimulate the production of testosterone, which is suppressed as a result of steroid use. The information regarding Gibbons only pertains to receipt and not actual use of the drugs."

Lovely.

Who knows if this true; however, where there is smoke - there is often fire.

Remember, Jay Gibbons is presumed innocent before proven guilty, but the Orioles have been down this path before a few times. I think in this case, it's different as there's a major media outlet tying him to a sting.

Cardinals' Slugger Rick Ankiel Implicated in Drug Probe...

If this is true, it’s a monumental shame.

From CNNsi.com

“Comeback kid Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals received a year's supply of human growth hormone in 2004, the Daily News reported Friday.

The pitcher-turned-outfielder is the latest athlete to be linked to the Florida pharmacy at the center of an investigation by the Albany County (N.Y.) district attorney's office into the illegal Internet distribution of performance-enhancing drugs.”

Also…

“Citing records the newspaper obtained, the Daily News said Ankiel got eight shipments of human growth hormone from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando from January to December 2004, including Saizen and Genotropin, two injectable drugs.

Florida physician William Gogan signed Ankiel's prescriptions, providing them through a Palm Beach Gardens clinic called The Health and Rejuvenation Center, or THARC, the newspaper reported.

The drugs were shipped to Ankiel at the clinic's address, the paper said. The 28-year-old Ankiel lives close by in Jupiter.”

Well, I figured if a story was too good to be true, it probably is; however, you cannot discount the ability of Ankiel and what he has done. In the end, we all wanted a great story to uplift not only a sport, but our own desires, and Rick’s fit the bill. He not only sparked the Cardinals' regent surge, a city, and a team marked with tragedy and injury -- but he came back from his own struggles and demons.

Sadly, I think Rick may be one of many who have indulged and partook in making themselves better through chemistry.

Do we care no? We still attend ballgames and care about the sport.

That's the bottom line.

Is This an Admission? Jason Giambi

As we know, the steroids and the issue of performance enhancement are the big story in the media today.

Just this morning, prominent slugger and New York Yankee, Jason Giambi believes it’s time for baseball to come clean about the issue of steroids.

From ESPN:

Claiming he's likely been tested for performance-enhancing drugs more often than anyone, Giambi told USA Today in a story on its Web site Friday that the apology is long overdue.

"Unfortunately, [the rumors] are going to be a part of it. But that's OK. I'm probably tested more than anybody else. I'm not hiding anything," Giambi told the newspaper. "That stuff didn't help me hit home runs. I don't care what people say, nothing is going to give you that gift of hitting a baseball."

"I was wrong for doing that stuff," Giambi said Wednesday before the Yankees played the Chicago White Sox. "What we should have done a long time ago was stand up -- players, ownership, everybody -- and said, 'We made a mistake.'

"We should have apologized back then and made sure we had a rule in place and gone forward. Steroids and all of that was a part of history. But it was a topic that everybody wanted to avoid. Nobody wanted to talk about it."

Giambi reportedly told a grand jury during the BALCO investigation in December 2003 that he used steroids and human growth hormone. He told USA Today this week he's thankful for MLB's testing program for steroids and amphetamines that was revised before last season. MLB does not test for HGH, but Giambi said he does not use the drug.

When asked, "So why did you take steroids?" Giambi told the newspaper "Maybe one day I'll talk about it, but not now."

Wow. It’s about time sometime took the lead and call out the sport for turning a blind eye to drug use.

Why he decided until now to say this, I don't know. Is there something else in play in the works?

Another Name in the Drug Mess - Sylvester Stallone

Wow, Another Name to the Steroid Mess: Well, not only athletes do it now – actors do too!

From AOL:

“Sylvester Stallone has been charged with trying to bring vials of a muscle-building hormone into Australia, where it is restricted. Lawyers for Stallone, the 60-year-old star of the "Rocky" and "Rambo" movie franchises, represented him in a Sydney court on Tuesday where he faces a charge of importing a banned substance.

Stallone and his entourage were stopped at Sydney's airport and detained for several hours on Feb. 16 while customs officials searched bags and confiscated items. His hotel room was searched and more items were confiscated three days later.

At the Sydney premier of his latest movie, "Rocky Balboa," on Feb. 17, Stallone shrugged off the airport incident, calling it a "misunderstanding."

Stallone and his group were allowed to leave Australia, and he was not required to appear in the Sydney Local Court for Tuesday's hearing.”

Well, 48 vials of growth hormone were found on him.

I am friends with a few bodybuilders and fitness athletes, and I hate to break it you, but everyone is taking performance enhancing drugs, not only for performance, but for cosmetic purposes from staying younger to building massive muscle.

Are we up in arms when someone like Robert Downey, Jr. partakes in drug use and then wins awards for his work?

In end, do we really care about drug use amongst our heroes, athletes or not? Rocky entertained us in Rocky Balboa, and that’s all we wanted.

Will Stallone pay in the court of public opinion – maybe not. I’m sure this all will go away if he has another hit, and unlike a lot of sportsmen and women who we feel emotionally tied to (thus, we get upset when hear of their names in scandal), actors and singers are different and often receive the benefit of the doubt.

Oh well, nothing surprises me much anymore.

Gary Matthews Jr. and Steroids...

Ut-oh.

The steroid debate will only intensify that much more now with the latest news.

“According to various news reports, the feds raided two pharmacies in the Orlando, Fla., area on Wednesday and arrested four top company officials as part of a nationwide probe into the illegal distribution of steroids.The case, which is being led by a prosecutor in Albany, N.Y., involves several doctors, pharmacists and business owners who have been or will be arrested in Florida, New York and Texas.

Sealed indictments charge them with various felonies for unlawfully distributing steroids and other drugs, according to Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares.The Albany Times Union reported that investigators in the year-old case uncovered evidence that testosterone and other performance-enhancing drugs may have been fraudulently prescribed over the Internet to, among others, current and former major league baseball players, NFL players, college athletes and high school coaches.Sources with knowledge of the probe told the Times Union that the customers include Los Angeles Angels center fielder and former Oriole Gary Matthews Jr. (baltimoresun.com)”

Other names also mentioned as a buyer is Jason Grimsley.

What does this mean for the sport? More scrutiny & allegations…

Gary Matthews' reputation is probably soiled, especially considering the year he had in ’06 in comparison to his career numbers.

His life is about to become a little more interesting.

The Latest Steroid News, An Old Friend and Cliff Floyd

The interest, innuendo and speculation is about to warm up with the steroid issue with MLB again. According the AP, the names and urine samples of about 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive in 2003 can be used by federal investigators for evidence, and that in turn may have implications for Barry Bonds who's had various legal issues over the years.

Unbelievable. You have to read it for yourself. Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16370207/

The Pandora's Box that was slightly opened is going to be opened wide open in a bit, and the problem of drugs in baseball will be shown to have been substantial. Most of us are interested in the names that will come out, and it's only a matter of time before they are leaked.

Most of the players who are seen to have a positive test will probably never have to face punishment, but the court of public opinion will take care of that.

• According to the St. Louis Dispatch, "The Minnesota Twins are thse apparent leaders to sign righthanded pitcher Sidney Ponson, signed by the Cardinals last season and then released to re-sign with the Yankees. His grievance hearing for being dismissed by the Orioles in 2005 has still not been heard, and has not yet been rescheduled."
  
  Of course, if you remember Sidney Ponson was jettisoned from the Orioles after a drunk driving incident in 2005. In 2006, he pitched for the Cardinals and Yankees, subsequently released from both teams due to poor performance. He's expected to be a 5th starter or be part of the bullpen.
  
  
• "The Cubs are reviewing Cliff Floyd's medical records one last time before finalizing a one year, incentive base contract. A deal is most likely to be finalized this weekend. Floyd batted .244 with 11 HR and 44 RBI. He will most likely platoon with Matt Murton in left field."
  
  Guess he's off the O's list.
  
  *Thanks for MLB Rumors for the news on the players...

The Double Standard: The Paradox of Drugs in Baseball versus Other Sports…

Over the past 4 or 5 years, we have heard of the endless debate of steroid use in baseball. Due to the trials and tribulations of Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa and the impending Hall of Fame vote on Mark McGwire, baseball is stuck in neutral over the drug paradox.

This past season, a handful of minor leaguers and major leaguers, most notably, Guillermo Mota have violated baseball’s drug user policy. Thanks to the Congressional Hearings in 2005, the Pandora’s box of drug use in baseball and other sports were wide open.

However, why does the media seem to focus a lot of scorn and dismay at the hierarchy of baseball, rather than at football or the NHL, which would seem to rely a lot more on power and sheer physical movement, than baseball which seems to be a lot more anaerobic and less active (dependant on position)?

Well, in my opinion, I think that the steroid debate in baseball is so enflamed unlike in the NFL, because of the sport’s obsession with numbers, its history and romanticism.

The numbers .406, 56, 756 and 73 are symbols of iconography in sports folklore. Baseball fans know them better as Ted Williams’s batting average in ’41, Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak, Hank Aaron’s home run record and Barry Bonds home run record. Basketball, football and hockey are far more dependant to the action and plays; in baseball, the numbers and statistics are just as important as the action. In fact, knowing what your player is batting, etc. compliments the action and often serves as a predictor of a player’s performance.

Unlike other sports, baseball’s history is marketed as much as it’s present. I’d venture to say basketball, hockey and football (to a much lesser degree) market their sports’ nostalgia in order keep people in tune with the game. Simply, because of the hallowed records in baseball are so revered, a lot of fans are repulsed by the fact an alleged cheater could threaten a record, whether they are or are not guilty.

Furthermore, many including the media, World Doping Agency & fans find the current testing a complete joke. As baseball seemingly allowed players to cheat and use drugs before 2002, football already had a testing program in place since 1989, although like baseball it does not test for HGH or human growth hormone.

In the case of the public, perception is reality. Football seemed to put the brakes of steroid use, baseball allowed it to go on and on.

Many don’t see basketball as a power sport, and hockey is not on the radar. The only two sports that get scrutinized as much as baseball are track and field and cycling.

To be honest, does anyone care about track and field along with cycling except during the Olympics and the Tour de France?
Does anyone get on Lance Armstrong for winning 7 straight Tour de Frances, although there having been allegations of him in the media doping?

Do the media still rail on Shawn Merriman for his drug use? It seems to be that he’s back in action with a clean slate?

Again, I believe baseball is target of the media, not because of the reality of drugs in sport, but because due to a history of inactivity & the perception that baseball did nothing to stop a train running off the tracks, and now hallowed records are in danger of being broken.

Athletes in the world of all sports use steroids because they work. Steroids helps to build muscle strength, recover from workouts quicker and other benefits; however, the dangers of drug abuse cannot be understated and they range from baldness, infertility, to heart problems and cancer.

If you got offered X millions for your abilities and could secure your life, your family’s financial future, and possibly for generations, would you or would you not indulge in drug use? This is the ethical question that many struggle with.

In the end, does it matter? Fans still the see games, salaries are escalating in all sports and athletes are still icons. Do fans even care?

The Baltimore Orioles Jay Gibbons Admits Drug Use; Yeah, Like We All Should Be Surprised...

Wow, this has come quick. I don't know whether to be upset at Jay Gibbons, pat him on the back for telling the truth, or say go "f**k yourself" for being self-righteous and denying your drug use; however, what fans assumed about you was right.

It doesn't matter because you have your money to fall back on.

Yes, you took steroids, seen the light and decided to tell the truth.

Major League Baseball today suspended Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons 15 days, beginning with the start of the 2008 season, for violating the league's drug policy. Gibbons admitted to The Sun today that he had used hGH.

Gibbons had not previously addressed allegations that he received a shipment of steroids and hGH from a raided Florida pharmacy. Gibbons and Kansas City Royals outfielder Jose Guillen, who was also given a 15-day ban today, are the first players to be suspended without failing a drug test.

"I am deeply sorry for the mistakes that I have made," Gibbons said. "I have no excuses and bear sole responsibility for my decisions. Years ago, I relied on the advice of a doctor, filled a prescription, charged the hGH, which is a medication, to my credit card and had only intended to help speed my recovery from my injuries and surgeries. I hope that my family, teammates, fans and [Orioles owner] Peter Angelos and the entire Orioles organization will accept my apologies and that we can all move on."

Jay, way to go. Sheesh. I don't know if the truth will set you free, but whatever. Now, if you were a decent ballplayer, we'd care; however, it's not a big deal to me. I want to see what happens when the Mitchell Report comes out.

Check out what James Baker says on Oriole Magic...

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