Steroids

It has been a few days, but I want to comment on the steroids issue.

First of all... none of this is a surprise.  We all knew that Giambi, Bonds, and assorted others used steroids.  Ok, as if there was any question, there is this picture from Mayflower Hill

Now... it is apparent to me what the prosecution's intent here is.  They want the big dog... They want Barry Bonds.  Proving he knowingly took steroids will bring the most exposure to the issue.  Giambi being so willing to talk bears all the hallmarks of a classic, NYPD Blue-style "catch and turn" technique. They put the screws to him, and he buckled, all but naming Barry Bonds directly.

And can there be any doubt now that Barry Bonds knew?  From the San Francisco Gate:

Giambi said he had queried [Barry Bonds' Trainer Greg] Anderson about Bonds' workout and health regimens.

"So I started to ask him: 'Hey, what are the things you're doing with Barry? He's an incredible player. I want to still be able to work out at that age and keep playing,' " Giambi testified. "And that's how the conversation first started."

(snip)

the two men went to a hospital for Giambi to provide blood and urine samples, which were taken to BALCO, Giambi testified.

Either during that meeting or in a phone conversation shortly thereafter, Giambi said, Anderson began discussing various performance-enhancing drugs he could provide the ballplayer. Also, when Anderson received the results of Giambi's blood and urine tests, Anderson told him he had tested positive for Deca Durabolin, the steroid Giambi said he had obtained at the Las Vegas gym. Giambi said Anderson had warned him to stop using it, saying it could stay in his system a long time.

Giambi was already using steroids.  He went to Barry Bonds' trainer to find out what Anderson was doing for Bonds to put him in better shape at 40 than he was at 25.  One of the first things Anderson says to him is "stop using that steroid that stays in your system; let me show you these non-detectable performance enhancing drugs."

As I'm writing this, Bonds' lawyer is on TV saying that Bonds was lied to by Anderson and that he never knew what was being used.  Seriously Barry? You didn't notice your head getting bigger and your balls shrinking?

This is the darkest scandal in Major League Baseball since the Black Sox of 1919.  This is far worse than anything Pete Rose ever did.  Bud Selig has to stand up and call for testing of all players, and anyone who tests positive for the drugs should be banned for life.  He has to take the strongest of all possible stands: You cheated, and you can never, ever play again.

The MLBPA will fight it all the way, but Selig now has the public awareness combined with prosecutions occurring to back them into a corner.  The Player's Union will simply look like they are covering for their guilty players, and will be forced to acquiesce.

This is the last second before the time bomb that has been ticking explodes.  We all knew it was coming, and when it is all said and done, something has to be done.  This cannot, and will not be swept under the carpet.

 

Comments

[Rusty]

I agree. This is heinous. I'm still trying to decide if I think it's worse than Petey betting on his own games. That was pretty bad.

[Dylan]

I'm there with you... I think it is worse than anything that has previously happened, because, unlike Pete or the Black Sox, who's transgressions affected themselves and their teams, the steroids issues affects not only those who use them, but the integrity of the very thing that makes the sport what it is: The numbers. You cannot appreciate the comparisons of "then and now" or the enormity of breaking a record when they are obtained on an uneven playing field. It is a cliche'd term, but this affects the integrity of the game.

[Stephen]

Yes, I think Barry Bonds has used steroids, in fact he essentially admitted so, although said he did not know what he was taking. I think it is also probably true that at least half of the professional baseball players use steroids, as Sam Conti claims. So why single out Bonds? I admit I am biased as a lifelong Giants fan, but in any case there is a broader problem here that doesn't just involve a few individuals but our whole attitude toward professional and even college and high school sports.

[Dylan]

I agree with you, Stephen, Barry Bonds is not the only one out there who is deserving of punishment for steroid use. I am probably in the minority, but I think that anyone who tests positive for any steroid should be banned for life. That is just me.

The fact of the matter is, though, Barry Bonds is the biggest fish in the sea, and catching him and punishing him with the harshest possible punishment would affect some real change in this area.

Other than that, I agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your comment.