Roid Talk

[Guest Edgy DC]

With everybody reporting to camp and reporters leading with "So, what do you think of A-Rod" some big talk is coming out on steroids. Ozzie Guillen has called for one year suspensions for first-time violators, but we all know Ozzie's crazy. But now, David Oritiz has also called for one-year suspensions and increased testing --- going from random to universal testing several times per year.

Personally, I think random can be more effective, but I think it's true that even the guilty in the union probably wanted the policing to be stronger, as many of them only began using because they thought others were and they didn't want to (1) fall behind or (2) rat anybody out.

[metirish]

The Union and MLB need to both do a better job , it's good that players like Ortiz speak out but I wonder if they don't get a call then from their Union guy and told to shut up.

[metsmarathon]

i'm waiting for the question to be asked "why do you think baseball is alone among major american sports in facing such heightened public scrutiny in the face of steroids allegations?"

specifically, you're kidding me if you don't think that basketball players can't benefit from the effects of steroid usage.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'd rather they asked that at football camps.

[smg58]

="metsmarathon":26wkpoho]i'm waiting for the question to be asked "why do you think baseball is alone among major american sports in facing such heightened public scrutiny in the face of steroids allegations?"[/quote:26wkpoho] I think the answer to that is because with baseball, steroids had a more noticeable effect on the way the game was played. In the NFL, for example, if you have juiced up linemen on both sides of the ball, there's not going to be a significant effect on the stats that players put up. Plus, the players at the skill positions in football might not want to sacrifice agility for muscle. A deserving gold glove shortstop might morph rather quickly into an average defensive third baseman and not care as long as the home runs (and dollars) keep coming, but a wide receiver isn't going to switch to tight end. With basketball, the agility/muscle tradeoff might be less one-sided as well. Sure, your heavy-duty rebounders might benefit, but steroids won't improve your jump shot or make you a better ball-handler.

Edgy DC Feb 17 2009 08:39 AM

I think the answer is because baseball represents something purer to America, part of the national fabric. A lot of that is hooey, of course, but the press like to write like it is. But footballers and basketballers and wrestlers are all so culturally disposeable that it's heartbreaking. Few are more disposeable than football linemen.

Centerfield Feb 17 2009 09:09 AM

On a somewhat related note, Bud Selig continues to throw the players, such as A-Rod, under the bus while refusing to take any of the blame for the so-called steroid era.

themetfairy Feb 17 2009 09:16 AM

Playing Devil's Advocate. Not that I have any love of Selig. But I'm personally quicker to blame the Players Union for the steroid problem than the owners. The union actively opposed testing even when it was apparent that there was a significant steroid problem in baseball.

Fman99 Feb 17 2009 09:19 AM

Rusty Griswold: Hey, ya' got Pac Man? Cousin Dale: No. Rusty Griswold: Ya' got Space Invaders? Cousin Dale: Nope. Rusty Griswold: Ya' got Asteroids? Cousin Dale: Naw, but my dad does. Can't even sit on the toilet some days.

SteveJRogers Feb 17 2009 10:08 AM

="Edgy DC":23rudtqg]I'd rather they asked that at football camps.[/quote:23rudtqg] They are tested all the time and much, much stringent than baseball. And they have been suspending players. End of issue. Edgy DC Feb 17 2009 10:17 AM The NFL is clean? metirish Feb 17 2009 10:21 AM Steve Rogers Goodell

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think the answer is because baseball represents something purer to America, part of the national fabric.

A lot of that is hooey, of course, but the press like to write like it is. But footballers and basketballers and wrestlers are all so culturally disposeable that it's heartbreaking.

Few are more disposeable than football linemen.

[Centerfield]

On a somewhat related note, Bud Selig continues to throw the players, such as A-Rod, under the bus while refusing to take any of the blame for the so-called steroid era.

[Guest themetfairy]

Playing Devil's Advocate. Not that I have any love of Selig. But I'm personally quicker to blame the Players Union for the steroid problem than the owners. The union actively opposed testing even when it was apparent that there was a significant steroid problem in baseball.

[Fman99]

Rusty Griswold: Hey, ya' got Pac Man?
Cousin Dale: No.
Rusty Griswold: Ya' got Space Invaders?
Cousin Dale: Nope.
Rusty Griswold: Ya' got Asteroids?
Cousin Dale: Naw, but my dad does. Can't even sit on the toilet some days.

[stevejrogers]

="Edgy DC":23rudtqg]I'd rather they asked that at football camps.[/quote:23rudtqg] They are tested all the time and much, much stringent than baseball. And they have been suspending players. End of issue.

Edgy DC Feb 17 2009 10:17 AM

The NFL is clean?

metirish Feb 17 2009 10:21 AM

Steve Rogers Goodell

[Guest Edgy DC]

The NFL is clean?

[metirish]

Steve Rogers Goodell