Met Hunter

Rick See Ya Later Aguilera vs. Rich Sweet Chiles of Mine

OK. Carlos In Delgado Da Vida vs. Dan Keep Your Eyes on the Road Your Hands Upon the Wheeler.

I will dethrone Carlos with a twofer Tuesday. Carlos In Delgado Da Vida vs. Tommie This is the Dawning of the Agee of Aquarius Tommie This is the Dawning of the Agee of Aquarius vs. Pat People are Strange

Sturdivant also becomes number 50 on the all time Mets deceased list.

Here's one even more insignificant: Bruce Chen, minor league deal with KC.

Snake died yesterday in his hometown of Oklahoma City. Better known for his time with the MFYs, but will always be a Met.

I have to say, I'm surprised by this story, but not shocked. The rumors of Robbie's sexual orientation have been around for years. I always felt that Piazza took some hits for Robbie back in the 'there's a gay Met' days. Hirschbeck did in fact call Alomar a name (faggot) that infuriated Roberto. A couple years ago, I attended an autograph show that both Sandys were at and we saw Roberto in the lobby. He looked like hell and we thought he was dying. We were told that he recently had surgery and was a litle under the weather. Either way, this is a sad story. If he indeed is infected, knew about it, and convinced his girl to have sexual relations with him, that is irresposible and criminal. Despite that, I hope for the best to the entire Alomar clan. A great baseball family.

="metirish":1cp4q12p]A-Fraud[/quote:1cp4q12p] A-hole Nymr83 Feb 08 2009 01:53 AM ="Willets Point":bu8eegj7]At least he wasn't photographed smoking a bong.[/quote:bu8eegj7] Grant Roberts!! Frayed Knot Feb 08 2009 05:29 AM The fun part here (as Joel Sherman points out)[/url:3hflo8sz] is that the Yanx "re-hired" Rodriguez (ie, agreed to his asking price) at least partly because he has a great shot at breaking the all-time HR record, wresting it away from that dirty Barry Bonds and returning it 'to its rightful place' as part of Yanqui lore. And all televised by 'YES'! Oops. MFS62 Feb 08 2009 07:40 AM Primobolan I'm not sure about. But the article says Testosterone can be taken legally with a prescription. I mean, if he knew he was going to be schtupping Madonna in a few years, he had legit reason to be loading up on that stuff. Later metsguyinmichigan Feb 08 2009 07:40 AM Smart move for Alex would be to come out and say, "Yeah, I tried it back in 2003, back when a lot of guys were trying it. But that was six years ago. I'm still playing at high level, which shows that I didn't need them...." Or something along those lines. G-Fafif Feb 08 2009 08:00 AM ="metsguyinmichigan"]Smart move for Alex would be to come out and say... "I'm still playing at a high level..." So he smoked dope, too? What a bad influence on all children all MFYs are! metsmarathon Feb 08 2009 09:03 AM watch him come out with an explanation like ' i only took steroids so that i would test positive, and force the testing program we have now.' Frayed Knot Feb 08 2009 09:54 AM ="metsguyinmichigan":3hfg8k2g]Smart move for Alex would be to come out and say, "Yeah, I tried it back in 2003, back when a lot of guys were trying it. But that was six years ago. I'm still playing at high level, which shows that I didn't need them...." Or something along those lines.[/quote:3hfg8k2g] That would be the smart move for just about anyone who used before MLB & the union got its collective act together. Doing the whole denial thing (Palmiero), the 'I don't walk to talk about it' thing (McGwire), the non-denial denial thing (Giambi), and the 'I don't understand the question thing (Sosa) makes it so much worse than it would be otherwise. A-Rod first move here (No comment - talk to the union?!?) seems to be some combination of all of the above. Edgy DC Feb 08 2009 02:33 PM ="Frayed Knot":31umhbnc]Doing the whole denial thing (Palmiero), the 'I don't walk to talk about it' thing (McGwire), the non-denial denial thing (Giambi), and the 'I don't understand the question thing (Sosa) makes it so much worse than it would be otherwise.[/quote:31umhbnc] But Clemens played it well. Frayed Knot Feb 08 2009 08:43 PM Hey, who doesn't like the 'blame your wife' strategy? One interesting aspect of all this A-Rod story coming to light on a Saturday afternoon is that I was able to quickly flick on MLBN just to see what they were doing at that point. Turns out they had interrupted regular programming to have a panel discussion of the topic. Now granted the scheduled program was nothing more than a replay of some decade-old game, but two things did occur to me: 1) at least MLBN didn't take a 'see-no-evil' approach and confirm fears about the station being a house organ by avoiding anything controversial. 2) I've seen maybe 5 minutes total of the NFL Network so I could be way off here -- but I highly doubt they've ever mentioned the word 'steroids' on that channel much less held a critical discussion of them Edgy DC Feb 08 2009 09:03 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 09 2009 05:40 AM How about Bobby Estalella being a star witness in a steroid trial. Shocking. Stunning. Heartbreaking. Nymr83 Feb 08 2009 10:33 PM ]I've seen maybe 5 minutes total of the NFL Network so I could be way off here -- but I highly doubt they've ever mentioned the word 'steroids' on that channel much less held a critical discussion of them The NFL doesn't only censor it's own network, it censors others. ESPN's fictional drama about football players "Playmakers" was allegedly cancelled because the NFL threatened them. metirish Feb 09 2009 06:30 AM Bill Madden in the Snooze today says the MFY's need to 'Cut him loose - no matter the cost" , they would be "applauded for it"....hey it's only $270 million.... John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 09 2009 06:48 AM Way more hysterical than the "COWARDS IN THE NIGHT" series, and that's saying something. All this based on anonymous sources revealing what was supposed to be anonymous results. The one good article in the Snooze on the subject examines who it could have been. Frayed Knot Feb 09 2009 07:21 AM ="metirish":1cn88ews]Bill Madden in the Snooze today says the MFY's need to 'Cut him loose - no matter the cost" , they would be "applauded for it"....hey it's only $270 million....[/quote:1cn88ews] That's so absurdly over the top that it's barely worth discussing. Benjamin Grimm Feb 09 2009 07:26 AM Yeah, I can't imagine the Yankees eating $270 million over nine years. Sheesh! Madden also said that none of the other 29 teams would pick Rodriguez up for the major-league minimum. Yeah, right. metirish Feb 09 2009 07:28 AM Madden seems to take personnel offense that Rodriguez would tarnish the great yankee name. Frayed Knot Feb 09 2009 07:28 AM ="Nymr83":2xenghij]The NFL doesn't only censor it's own network, it censors others. ESPN's fictional drama about football players "Playmakers" was allegedly cancelled because the NFL threatened them.[/quote:2xenghij] They just didn't want the public to think that the NFL has any drug-taking, gun-carrying, groupie-groping, wife-swapping miscreants in its midst. I mean, nobody would ever watch the sport if info like that were to get out. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 09 2009 07:33 AM ="metirish":1bbhz6qs]Madden seems to take personnel offense that Rodriguez would tarnish the great yankee name.[/quote:1bbhz6qs] I thought of all Madden's cockamamie points, the fact that this event tarnishes the MFY Brand that they've worked so hard to feed us was actually a good one. I mean, were it up to the Yankee Brand people exclusively, they'd probably have Rodriguez killed. metirish Feb 09 2009 07:38 AM It's been a bad few weeks for the Yankee Brand . metsguyinmichigan Feb 09 2009 07:44 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":3buhpzhc]Yeah, I can't imagine the Yankees eating $270 million over nine years. Sheesh! Madden also said that none of the other 29 teams would pick Rodriguez up for the major-league minimum. Yeah, right.[/quote:3buhpzhc] Hell, EVERY other team would pick him up. Any why cut Arod when they didn't cut Giambi or Pettitte? Frayed Knot Feb 09 2009 07:46 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]="metirish"]Madden seems to take personnel offense that Rodriguez would tarnish the great yankee name. I thought of all Madden's cockamamie points, the fact that this event tarnishes the MFY Brand that they've worked so hard to feed us was actually a good one. I mean, were it up to the Yankee Brand people exclusively, they'd probably have Rodriguez killed. Sure, except that the success of the 'brand' depends on large part on them continuing to win and it's amazing how many MFY fans or apologists have convinced themselves that they'd win more if only they could replace this horrible Rodriguez guy with someone really good like the reincarnation of Scott Brosius or something. metsguyinmichigan Feb 09 2009 07:57 AM Can you imagine how different that column would be had it been Jeter who was caught? "Jeter test proves 'roids should be legalized, Cap'n put personal health at risk to help Bombers and fans." MFS62 Feb 09 2009 08:12 AM A few minutes ago, Craig Carten on WFAN said that "30% of the year 2000 Champion Yankees were taking steroids". He didn't say where he got that number. Have any of you see that written somewhere? Even if close to true, I wonder if Madden would ask the members of that team to give back their rings? Of course not! Later metirish Feb 09 2009 08:16 AM Looking at the roster it would not surprise me, not that it means a whole lot now anyway. http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/2000.shtml John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 09 2009 08:22 AM The following guys have been implicated from 2K MFY postseason roster: Clemens Pettitte Knoblauch Justice Canseco Hill Neagle Stanton That's 8/25 -- 32% edit -- I should add this is a silly exercise, the number I am certain would similar for all teams of the era -- whether or not the guys got caught, this is how the game was played at this time. It also doesn't show these dickheads were roided up at the time they played, or even that what they took helped in any appreciable way. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 09 2009 08:28 AM I should also add the interesting part of it is to see the MFYs with so many users illustrates that steroid taking was in part good for their careers, since they got the big $$ there (Clemens, Brown, Arod, Giambi, etc etc) Frayed Knot Feb 09 2009 08:29 AM btw, turns out that SI's Selena Roberts (formerly of the NYTimes) who broke this story did so because she's been on the ARod trail in preparation for her upcoming book (sked for May release): [u:1zonj7fk]Hit & Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez[/u:1zonj7fk] Edgy DC Feb 09 2009 08:36 AM Well, these guys are those that appeared in that series. The ones on record as having a PED indiscretion hanging over them (not all of them of them with the same degree of credibility) we can bold. Clay Bellinger Scott Brosius Jose Canseco Roger Clemens David Cone Orlando Hernandez Glenallen Hill Derek Jeter David Justice Chuck Knoblauch Tino Martinez Denny Neagle Jeff Nelson Paul O'Neill Andy Pettitte Luis Polonia Jorge Posada Mariano Rivera Luis Sojo Mike Stanton Jose Vizcaino Bernie Williams That's 8/22 or 36.4%. If I had to guess, I'd suspect that the number was higher (and not much better perhaps for the Mets of that era). That seems not only closer to the high water mark, but also closer to the era in which Senator Mitchell's witnesses were most qualified to speak to. MFS62 Feb 09 2009 08:41 AM Funny that O'Neill's name isn't bolded. Looking back on all those destroyed water coolers and flung bats, I think "'roid rage". Later Benjamin Grimm Feb 09 2009 08:49 AM Or maybe he was just a jerk. SteveJRogers Feb 09 2009 09:19 AM ="Frayed Knot":2q83r4pt]btw, turns out that SI's Selena Roberts (formerly of the NYTimes) who broke this story did so because she's been on the ARod trail in preparation for her upcoming book (sked for May release): [u:2q83r4pt]Hit & Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez[/u:2q83r4pt][/quote:2q83r4pt] She was also one of those on the forefront against the Duke Lacrosse team players in that rape case, that turned out to be a big fraud. metirish Feb 09 2009 09:21 AM How are you holding up Steve? Edgy DC Feb 09 2009 09:27 AM That this is to sell a smelly book is just rotten. It seems to me the union spokespersons should have spent the last two days burning up the airwaves with invective over this. metsguyinmichigan Feb 09 2009 09:31 AM ="SteveJRogers":1qvyocmb]="Frayed Knot":1qvyocmb]btw, turns out that SI's Selena Roberts (formerly of the NYTimes) who broke this story did so because she's been on the ARod trail in preparation for her upcoming book (sked for May release): [u:1qvyocmb]Hit & Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez[/u:1qvyocmb][/quote:1qvyocmb] She was also one of those on the forefront against the Duke Lacrosse team players in that rape case, that turned out to be a big fraud.[/quote:1qvyocmb] Steve, if this was a fraud, I think ARod's response would have been stronger than "Talk to the union." Frayed Knot Feb 09 2009 09:31 AM ="SteveJRogers":3m388vh4]="Frayed Knot":3m388vh4]btw, turns out that SI's Selena Roberts (formerly of the NYTimes) who broke this story did so because she's been on the ARod trail in preparation for her upcoming book (sked for May release): [u:3m388vh4]Hit & Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez[/u:3m388vh4][/quote:3m388vh4] She was also one of those on the forefront against the Duke Lacrosse team players in that rape case, that turned out to be a big fraud.[/quote:3m388vh4] Depends on what she wrote about that case and when. Also, there's a big difference between being an opinion-writing, deadline-oriented newspaper columnist (which she was at the time of the Duke case) and a book-writing journalist chronicling someone's life story (or part of it) as she is on the ARod trail. The standards and practices are very different between the two job descriptions. SteveJRogers Feb 09 2009 09:43 AM ="metsguyinmichigan":1yl23d5c]="SteveJRogers":1yl23d5c]="Frayed Knot":1yl23d5c]btw, turns out that SI's Selena Roberts (formerly of the NYTimes) who broke this story did so because she's been on the ARod trail in preparation for her upcoming book (sked for May release): [u:1yl23d5c]Hit & Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez[/u:1yl23d5c][/quote:1yl23d5c] She was also one of those on the forefront against the Duke Lacrosse team players in that rape case, that turned out to be a big fraud.[/quote:1yl23d5c] Steve, if this was a fraud, I think ARod's response would have been stronger than "Talk to the union."[/quote:1yl23d5c] I didn't say this was a fraud, I'm giving the whole story on the story breaker. Rockin' Doc Feb 09 2009 11:06 AM It's seems apparent to me that the Yankees organiztion should be contracted and banished from MLB for the good of the game. Beside, they employed a bunch of 'roid users. MFS62 Feb 09 2009 12:08 PM (Channeling The Scooter) Holy cow! This is the most shocking revellation so far. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/02/09/2009-02-09_yankees_captain_derek_jeter_says_arod_de.html El Capitan comes out with something that can be taken as a support of A-Rod? And I thought he was the guy who might have ratted him out. Will wonders never cease? Later metirish Feb 09 2009 12:13 PM I'm certain one of our members commented along these lines when this came out. From Ian O'Connor's article today. ] The first sign of serious trouble came last February, when Rodriguez volunteered he�d been drug-tested nine or ten times during his monster 2007 season. Players are supposed to be tested twice during a season, three times if selected for one of 600 additional random tests. A-Rod�s odds of being tested as much as he claimed were a gazillion to one, unless, of course, he�d turned up positive for amphetamines and earned an extra half-dozen mandatory trips to the urinal. O'Connor lays this mess on Hank. Hank MFS62 Feb 09 2009 12:19 PM There was a list in today's early edition of the Daily News that named some players who have been associated with taking drugs and steroids in various investigations. I couldn't find the link just now - it may have been replaced by the news that A-Rod may address the press later today. Anyhow, one of the names on the list was Rico Brogna. Had anyone seen his name mentioned about drugs before? Later Frayed Knot Feb 09 2009 12:31 PM ARod is in the process of fessing up to Gammons (and ESPN is going to milk this access for all it's worth): - now admits he roided from 2001 to 2003 but not since metsguyinmichigan Feb 09 2009 12:32 PM AP sez ARod confessing to using PEDs between 2001 and 2003. Probably a good move to get it out there. Even better if he says "Derek gave them to me!" metsmarathon Feb 09 2009 12:38 PM wow! good for him! that, btw, is exactly what i would've thought he should say. own up to using for more than you were caught for, and it makes the confession more believable. should be an interesting story to read more on later when i actually have time. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 09 2009 01:07 PM The Andy Pettitte defense. I didn;t. Oh, you got me? OK I did metirish Feb 09 2009 01:08 PM Alex didn't know what he was taking either...of course you didn't..... metirish Feb 09 2009 02:27 PM I've been thinking about this and I don't dislike Rodriguez anymore after this debacle , I have never cared for him but this doesn't make me care even less for him. I have been following baseball since the mid nineties so in reality looking back I have been a fan in the steroid era. Centerfield Feb 09 2009 03:52 PM ="Frayed Knot":1w77txb8]="metirish":1w77txb8]Bill Madden in the Snooze today says the MFY's need to 'Cut him loose - no matter the cost" , they would be "applauded for it"....hey it's only $270 million....[/quote:1w77txb8] That's so absurdly over the top that it's barely worth discussing.[/quote:1w77txb8] It's like Klapisch and Madden are trying to have a dumb-off. Someone might want to point out to Madden that the "Yankee Brand" not only doesn't cut steroid users, they re-sign them (Pettite). MFS62 Feb 09 2009 04:02 PM Or forgive them (Giambi) Later bmfc1 Feb 09 2009 04:18 PM Real classy Alex: he accuses Selena Roberts of breaking into his house, scaring his kids, and only doing this because she has a book deal. bmfc1 Feb 09 2009 04:21 PM Alex: "God is doing this for a reason." Yeah, to expose you as a fraud, you self-righteous jackass. Frayed Knot Feb 09 2009 05:13 PM ="bmfc1":2fg4x9go]Real classy Alex: he accuses Selena Roberts of breaking into his house, scaring his kids, and only doing this because she has a book deal.[/quote:2fg4x9go] That was the most interesting thing I took out of his chat w/Gammons (didn't hear/see all of it). And that's not going to gain him any brownie points with the scribes. Not a whole lot gets the collective media more in line as when one of their own is attacked for his/her motives. MFS62 Feb 09 2009 05:21 PM Motives? If this (the break in) is true, what about methods? Later MFS62 Feb 09 2009 06:35 PM Did he or didn't he is just copious quantities of ca ca. This is the real issue: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne...o&type=lgns Whoever leaked the list could look at doing some real hard time. Later Rockin' Doc Feb 09 2009 07:45 PM Lunchbucket - "I thought of all Madden's cockamamie points, the fact that this event tarnishes the MFY Brand that they've worked so hard to feed us was actually a good one. I mean, were it up to the Yankee Brand people exclusively, they'd probably have Rodriguez killed." They could just have Rivera invite A-Rod to a pool party. MFS62 Feb 09 2009 07:48 PM That's cold. Funny. But cold. Literally LOL! Later metsguyinmichigan Feb 09 2009 08:16 PM ="Rockin' Doc":2q348b13]Lunchbucket - "I thought of all Madden's cockamamie points, the fact that this event tarnishes the MFY Brand that they've worked so hard to feed us was actually a good one. I mean, were it up to the Yankee Brand people exclusively, they'd probably have Rodriguez killed." They could just have Rivera invite A-Rod to a pool party.[/quote:2q348b13] Badass bullet of cool! metirish Feb 10 2009 06:35 AM I watched the interview last night , thought Gammons was disgraceful , not surprised by that though. Frayed Knot Feb 10 2009 07:00 AM ="MFS62":2tuoh1qv]Motives? If this (the break in) is true, what about methods?[/quote:2tuoh1qv] I'm operating under the assumption that the stories* of Roberts breaking into his house and "stalking" him are, at best, over-the-top exaggerations and that what Alex considers to be criminal harassment will be seen by other reporters as 'doing her job'. So, yeah, I expect the media as a whole to close ranks around her rather than him. * Apparently there was "an incident" with reporter Roberts and a guard at the gate outside of Rodriguez's community. Not sure if that's what he's blown up into 'trying to break in' or if he's talking about something else. Vince Coleman Firecracker Feb 10 2009 07:52 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]The Andy Pettitte defense. I didn;t. Oh, you got me? OK I did Actually, the Pettitte defense is more like: I didn't. Oh, you got me? Well, I only did it that time. Ok, I did it a little more than you caught me for, but never again or before. This defense allows you to seem like you're telling the truth, since you admit to just a smidge more than you got busted for, while at the same time limiting damage to your reputation, since there was only a small time span (always significantly in the past) in which you were cheating. This defense works well because people want to give these athletes the benefit of the doubt. I assume that these tests only snag the very tips of the icebergs in terms of how many are cheating and how often they are. I think A-Rod, Pettitte and countless others (including many Mets I loved and still love following) have used PEDs since high school and continue to cheat to the present day. Edgy DC Feb 10 2009 08:00 AM ="Vince Coleman Firecracker":3cjpun8v]This defense works well because people want to give these athletes the benefit of the doubt.[/quote:3cjpun8v] Unless, of course the athlete is A-Rod. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 10 2009 08:19 AM Not to stoke this more but Jeter fed his fanclub in the 4th estate an interesting line yesterday. Filip Bondy who may as well titled his piece in the snooze today GOD I LOVE THE TASTE OF DEREK'S BALLSACK practically apologizes for even asking whether Jeter did it and finds the answer: "Why would my name be on that list?" as an acceptable response. Note how Jeets dares his cheering section to accuse him of something, so he can act wronged from the start. metirish Feb 10 2009 09:12 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"] Filip Bondy who may as well titled his piece in the snooze today GOD I LOVE THE TASTE OF DEREK'S BALLSACK practically apologizes for even asking whether Jeter did it and finds the answer: "Why would my name be on that list?" as an acceptable response. . Bondy definitely finds that answer acceptable... ] That was the answer we wanted to hear. Jeter is the guy who stays out of trouble, doesn't go trawling for it. He remains single, so his romantic dalliances amuse instead of disgust us. He keeps quiet about the contract that expires in 2010, about his place in the lineup, about the pitchers and teammates and coaches who have failed him in recent seasons what would these guys do if their beloved Jeter was dirty...Snooze has 15 pages on Rodriguez. metsguyinmichigan Feb 10 2009 09:43 AM Jeter's proof is in his middling stats. If he put those numbers up in Kansas City, he'd be just another decent player. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 10 2009 09:47 AM No no no no no no. My point is if he played in this era he's a suspect whose denial is as sincere as anyone else's. Everyone is a suspect, and the papers still don't get it. And players from Termel Sledge to Manny Aybar should have proven by now that numbers have little to do with it. metirish Feb 10 2009 09:56 AM Yeah numbers mean nothing really , as we know a lot of players took them to help recover from injury or just to recover from games, unlike Rodriguez who was just young and stoopid. metsguyinmichigan Feb 10 2009 09:57 AM Letterman on ARod Top Ten Messages Left on Alex Rodriguez's Answering Machine 10 "Hey, it's Mark McGwire, want to get together this weekend and not talk about the past?" 9 "Joe Torre here, thanks for helping book sales." 8 "Could you find a steroid that keeps you from choking in the playoffs?" 7 "Are you worried this will taint all the championships you didn't win?" 6 "Hi, it's Bernie Madoff. Nice try, but I'm still the most hated man in NYC." 5 "Michael Phelps here, got any snacks?" 4 "Hi, this is Sammy Sosa, just pretend you don't speak English." 3 "Michael Phelps again, did I call you or did you call me?" 2 "Hi this is Rod Blagojevich, I'll say you're innocent if you say I am." and the Number One Message Left on Alex Rodriguez's Answering Machine: 1 "It's Madonna. You got a phone number for Jeter?" soupcan Feb 10 2009 10:09 AM Fucking funny! metirish Feb 10 2009 11:43 AM Hilarious from Letterman.... Representative Elijah Cummings apparently wants to bring Rodriguez before Congress. ] "I think we're going to have to see what Rodriguez will tell us," Cummings said in a phone interview. "He is in a confessing mode, so maybe he needs to put his apology into some meaningful action by cooperating with the committee so we can see if there are things we need to reopen to make sure baseball is doing all that it can to rid itself of this kind of practice." Edgy DC Feb 10 2009 11:47 AM Me as A-Rod: "I'll testify under oath if everybody else does. Don't have time for that? OK, then just Derek." metirish Feb 10 2009 11:48 AM Let's just play ball. MFS62 Feb 10 2009 11:51 AM Under HIPAA regulations (in force since 1996) divulging the results of a medical test without the express consent of the patient is a violation of Federal Law. The penalties are here: http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/pl104191.htm#1176 From information published about the A-Rod case, the tests were conducted by a licensed medical testing organization. To me, that makes them covered by that law. Those 2003 tests were conducted under the terms of anonymity. In that case, I can't believe any of the players testd signed a release/ waiver of those terms. Therefore, IMO anyone divulging those results has committed a crime and should be punished. Can any Medical folks here confirm my opinion? Later metirish Feb 10 2009 12:04 PM Our David has spoken ] Mets' David Wright praises A-Rod for coming clean BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com 1:57 PM EST, February 10, 2009 David Wright praised Alex Rodriguez for coming clean on his PED use during Monday's interview with ESPN, but also took a hard-line against cheaters. "I hope that anybody who cheats get caught," Wright said. "Maybe its me being na�ve, but I think baseball is clean. You would have to be either very desperate or flat-out stupid to try and beat the system now." That said, Wright still believes that A-Rod is "a tremendous player" and laughed when someone asked about comparing himself to the Yankees' third baseman in the wake of these revelations. "He's better than me," a smiling Wright said Frayed Knot Feb 10 2009 12:18 PM ]Under HIPAA regulations (in force since 1996) divulging the results of a medical test without the express consent of the patient is a violation of Federal Law. Fine. Now all you have to do is convince the government that they need to prosecute themselves over the fact that they're the ones who first confiscated, then leaked, the records. metirish Feb 10 2009 01:15 PM Congress thankfully win not haul Rodriguez in for a grilling. ] The statement from Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) today reads: "The news that another one of baseball's premier players -- in addition to another 103 unnamed players -- used performance enhancing drugs is disturbing and sends yet another horrible message to our young people. "With unemployment in this country approaching double digits and our constituents' very livelihoods being threatened by the nation's economic woes, I intend to focus on passing President Obama's Economic Recovery legislation to get Americans back to work to fix our sinking economy. The American people need leaders who will focus on stemming job losses and getting credit to flow in the marketplace before hearing from yet another person who cheated both himself and the game of baseball. The Committee began this investigation in the face of a weak and ineffective drug testing policy that compromised the integrity of Major League Baseball. Now that baseball is implementing one of the most comprehensive drug testing policies in major league sports, I look forward to monitoring how well the policy is working to ensure the credibility of our national pastime. themetfairy Feb 10 2009 01:36 PM ="metirish"]Our David has spoken ] Mets' David Wright praises A-Rod for coming clean Wright said. "Maybe its me being na�ve, but I think baseball is clean. You would have to be either very desperate or flat-out stupid to try and beat the system now." Someone give that boy a hug. Or a puppy dog. themetfairy Feb 10 2009 01:42 PM Caple Blames Madonna For A-Rod's Steroid Use[/url:1axxb394]. G-Fafif Feb 10 2009 04:44 PM Just you wait -- some version of this[/url:1e05cmtc] will be written by at least one of the columnists cited. metirish Feb 10 2009 04:53 PM OMG , brilliant.... Edgy DC Feb 12 2009 08:13 AM Zev goes the whole nine yards, and the only moral failure he indicts the Rod for is giving up the juice and therefore ripping the Yankees off. Opinion A-Rod, get back on the 'roids You've got nothing to apologize about; drugs have been part of professional baseball for a long time. By Zev Chafets February 12, 2009 If it is true that Alex Rodriguez stopped using steroids in 2003, before he came to New York, the Yankees have been swindled. A-Rod hasn't been trying his hardest to win and help his team. In A-Rod's defense, it could be argued that there is no empirical proof that taking anabolic steroids improves baseball performance. But baseball players think they do. A-Rod himself admits he took steroids to make himself one of the greatest players of all time. Even if steroids are potentially dangerous (and despite suspicions, there is no proof that they cause permanent harm when properly administered to adult males), what of it? For many people, danger is the price of doing business. Construction workers, firefighters, cops and combat soldiers all take their lives in their hands to earn a living. According to Sports Illustrated, 104 major leaguers tested positive for steroids in 2003. That's about 10% of the players in the majors. Back in 2003, A-Rod didn't necessarily know who the other 103 users were. But he did know that they were out there someplace. They might have been pitchers he was facing, or fielders who caught up with his batted balls. He probably guessed that some of the juicers were the great hitters he was competing against for primacy and the money that goes with it. Can anybody blame A-Rod for leveling the playing field? What was he supposed to say: My rivals may be chemically enhancing their performances, but that's just a disadvantage I must live with? Baseball players have been doing drugs since Hall of Fame pitcher Pud Galvin shot up with monkey testosterone in 1889. And it's not just steroids, Since the '60s, major leaguers also have used amphetamines and downers. Players take them for professional purposes, not for fun. As every Little Leaguer has been taught, you sacrifice what you must for the good of the team. You play hurt if necessary, and you take your advantages where you find them. Gaylord Perry threw spitballs, more or less publicly, for 20 years, and he got into Cooperstown. As a player, John McGraw tripped so many base runners that baseball was forced to introduce an infield umpire -- and McGraw is in the Hall of Fame too. Even Babe Ruth was caught corking his bat. These and a hundred other incidents of sign stealing, bat tippling, ball scuffing and bat doctoring are staples of baseball lore, lovingly recounted by after-dinner speakers and broadcasters across American generations. Cheating is as much a part of Major League Baseball as alcoholism, ethnic bench jockeying and the ground-rule double. Besides, let's be honest. Americans love chemicals that provide an edge. Students use them to cram for finals. Pilots and surgeons take Provigil to keep sharp. Trial lawyers and Broadway actors pop beta blockers to ward off stage fright. Bob Dole pitched Viagra on television. I've even heard rumors about sportswriters who smoothed out their workdays with Prozac. Science marches on, no matter how much we long for the pristine days before medication. Ballplayers will always look for an edge, and chemists will always come up with one, and a way to evade testing too. "Everybody does it" is not a moral defense, but honestly, is this really a moral issue? Baseball hasn't treated it that way. Forty years after Jim Bouton revealed the widespread use of "greenies," no players have been seriously punished for using chemicals. Even now, the only real threat is getting banned from the Hall of Fame, and we'll see how long that lasts in the age of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens and A-Rod. The baseball establishment still hasn't made a real effort to stop players from using steroids, because it is believed that steroids enhance performance and help win games -- and that is what professional baseball is all about. Except, it turns out, to A-Rod. For the last four seasons, he has let his teammates and his fans down by doing less than his best. Unless, of course, he is lying about having quit in 2003, and he's been enhancing right along. Say that it's so, A-Rod. Say that it's so. Zev Chafets' book on the Baseball Hall of Fame, "Cooperstown Confidential," will be published in May. Rockin' Doc Feb 12 2009 11:09 AM My dear Mr. Chafets, You sir, are an idiot. Sincerely, --Rockin' Doc metirish Feb 12 2009 11:36 AM ] As a player, John McGraw tripped so many base runners that baseball was forced to introduce an infield umpire -- and McGraw is in the Hall of Fame too. For fucks sake man get a grip . Ashie62 Feb 12 2009 05:04 PM ="metirish":1ih6vdd4]Let's just play ball.[/quote:1ih6vdd4] Yup...This whole steroid drama is wearing thin..Since no Ballplayers are beyond question as to taking performance enhancers why don't we do this to wrap up the issue for good. 1. On opening day for all teams at their own parks have every player in uniform do 200 Military squats as punishment and penance. Fans can use the time to boo or heckle to vent, or step out to get some delicious Wise snacks. 2. Have Selig sac up and designate 1996-2003 the "live ball era" or whatever you would like to call it. 3. Current Drug Testing Policies are in place to move forward. Lastly, I'm not going to hammer Arod or any other abuser as I won't should any of our boys get outed...I can't imagine David Wright ever being involved in this mess but as I said..no one is beyond question. Now play ball!!! soupcan Feb 13 2009 11:21 AM If anyone's interested - Pete Rose is going to be on WFAN with Francesa in a couple of minutes. I'm sure he'll be talking about Alex. seawolf17 Feb 17 2009 12:05 PM This press conference is insipid. PatchyFogg Feb 17 2009 12:09 PM ="soupcan":ko45fwv9]If anyone's interested - Pete Rose is going to be on WFAN with Francesa in a couple of minutes. I'm sure he'll be talking about Alex.[/quote:ko45fwv9] And, we're having Kirk Radomski live at 9:15PM tonight on LI's 90.3FM in case anyone is in the listening area. I'll put it up at http://hosted.filefront.com/patchyfogg after the show. In the meantime (at the same website), you can check out the 2 commercial-free hour Mets Preview that we did with Adam Rubin right before he left for Port St. Lucie. Nymr83 Feb 17 2009 12:12 PM ="seawolf17":3rs9xhqj]This press conference is insipid.[/quote:3rs9xhqj] What more did you want him to say? I relize the media needs to keep beating it to death because they have columns to fill, but I've heard all I need to hear already. metirish Feb 17 2009 12:52 PM It's ended.... Rodriguez ended by saying he wants "to make the world a better place" , words that would inspire Bernie Taupin. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 17 2009 12:57 PM John Harper in the meantime is suckered into taking Texiera's word he's never used, why he's "cleaner than Derek Jeter if that's even possible" (yes, he actually wrote that today). themetfairy Feb 17 2009 02:01 PM ="metirish":2kjyziqi]It's ended.... Rodriguez ended by saying he wants "to make the world a better place" , words that would inspire Bernie Taupin.[/quote:2kjyziqi] How does he feel about World Peace? holychicken Feb 17 2009 03:03 PM ="Ashie62":2gt1v9x0]2. Have Selig sac up and designate 1996-2003 the "live ball era" or whatever you would like to call it.[/quote:2gt1v9x0] The "small balls era" makes more sense. metirish Feb 17 2009 08:14 PM Johnny Damon - "using steroids is wrong but he didn't commit a crime or like go out their and kill someone"..... Edgy DC Feb 17 2009 08:20 PM Is that something he wrote or said? metirish Feb 17 2009 08:29 PM I was watching the news and he said it, not the exact quote from me but close . MFS62 Feb 17 2009 09:17 PM ="themetfairy":67aky83c]="metirish":67aky83c]It's ended.... Rodriguez ended by saying he wants "to make the world a better place" , words that would inspire Bernie Taupin.[/quote:67aky83c] How does he feel about World Peace?[/quote:67aky83c] It doesn't matter. He's not competing for Miss America. Later LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 17 2009 09:57 PM ="metirish":cg5944xb]Johnny Damon - "using steroids is wrong but he didn't commit a crime or like go out their and kill someone".....[/quote:cg5944xb] You know, like Leyritz. /Why, yes, my tongue works fine-- why do you ask? Nymr83 Feb 18 2009 02:26 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2ac33j35]="metirish":2ac33j35]Johnny Damon - "using steroids is wrong but he didn't commit a crime or like go out their and kill someone".....[/quote:2ac33j35] You know, like Leyritz. /Why, yes, my tongue works fine-- why do you ask?[/quote:2ac33j35] Sorry Johnny, whatever he took was probably illegal in the U.S. Edgy DC Feb 18 2009 05:59 AM I actually tihnk a human being must be sacrificed every time Madonna copulates. metirish Feb 18 2009 07:06 AM More from Johnny....to the print media he had this to say..... ] "It's unfortunate he made some stupid mistakes. He's a guy who definitely did not need it, and I definitely do not condone it....But there could be a lot worse things he could've been doing out there, (like) murdering someone"It's unfortunate he made some stupid mistakes. He's a guy who definitely did not need it, and I definitely do not condone it....But there could be a lot worse things he could've been doing out there, (like) murdering someone "We can go out there and support him," Damon added, "because we know we can't go out there and win a World Series without him." Rodriguez's amatuer hour defense defies logic , I didn't expect anything else from him but it couldn't have been more staged if he were on Broadway. Frayed Knot Feb 18 2009 07:06 AM ="Edgy DC":1kos7lsf]I actually tihnk a human being must be sacrificed every time Madonna copulates.[/quote:1kos7lsf] That would explain all the death and destruction in the world. Re: Damon -- His name came up in a round-table type sports discussion I was listening to and the panel was deftly using euphemisms like "an uncomplicated man" when describing him in order to keep from flat-out saying that he's basically box-of-rocks stupid. Edgy DC Feb 18 2009 07:19 AM Yes, Johnny, murder, manslaughter --- these things are worse than cheating at baseball. Thank you for your incisive analysis. For a counterpoint, here's Ambiorix Burgos.

I've met Art a few times and I think he's an asshole. Go get him psycho bitch.

6) I have no idea what I'm doing. But my name is Steinbrenner, so the Yankee fans will worship me no matter what I do. I'll probably have to beat the fans off with a stick, because anything Yankees is so damn important and valuable. Burp. 7) I think we need to trade ARod. Not because of Torre's book. Derek says his ass is killing him.

="metirish":4hte5aoo]="Edgy DC":4hte5aoo]Them's the last two runs. I think he's looking for the initial run that put them up 1-0 without a hit.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Exactly.[/quote:4hte5aoo] Sorry. My mistake. Top 1: Agee walked. Then stole second. Harrelson popped out. Singleton walked. Agee stole third. Singleton stole second. Shamsky fielder's choice 4-3. Agee scored. Jones struck out. metirish Jan 16 2009 08:47 AM Thank you Met Hunter from hunting that down. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 16 2009 08:52 AM ="HahnSolo":tq0o6xxx]Interesting (probably only to me) that Gomez's '71 card had manager abbreviated as "mgr", while Hodges's is spelled out "manager".[/quote:tq0o6xxx] No, not just you. I actually prefer that approach to squeezing the leading or point size, though I suppose in the interest of true consistency in style they'd go with mgr. on all cards just to avoid this issue. Edgy DC Jan 16 2009 09:06 AM I might've gone for a line break. preston gomez� manager Eh.

="metirish"]] In July 1970, he used a pinch-hitter for Clay Kirby after he had pitched eight hitless innings in San Diego against the Mets, who led by 1-0. The pinch-hitter, Clarence Gaston, struck out, and the Mets went on to score two runs and get three hits in the ninth for a 3-0 victory. How did the Mets score that first run? According to Retro Sheet: Harrelson singled. Singleton bunted him over. Shamsky intentionally walked. Jorgensen then pinch ran Cleon Jones singled them over. Bases loaded. Garrett struck out. Foy singled in two. Grote grounded out.

The third guy was another pretty good pitcher: David Arthur McNally.

From a card show signing in Pittsburgh, 2005. http://www.jpaulsports.com/images/photos/robert_large.jpg

10. 1975 Mets-Stros. Joe Torre hits into 4 double plays. Blames Millan for getting 4 singles in front of him. Dad laughed the whole car ride home. 9. 1998 Mike Piazza's birthday. Hits blast into trees out in LCF. A bonafide star. Sends everyone home happy. Especially my 7 year old and his friend Anthony. 8. 1988 divisional clincher vs Philly. Upper deck behind home. Was able to make it to work that night too. Highlight of night was casting a paper airplane down to the on deck circle and having Gary Carter put it in his back pocket. Lots of drunken cheers. 7. 1984-1989. Numerous games seeing Doc rock the house. I swear it was never louder and the place never shook more than those nights he lit em up. Get chills thinking about it. 6. 1971 Mets-Bucs. My first game. Steve Blass wins 2-0 over Kooz. Clemente triples, Pops homers. I'm hooked. Dad couldn't remember if he took me or if it was with Little League. Later, I find the program in the attic. I filled out Mets side. Pirates are in his handwriting. 5. 2006 pennant clincher. Sat right behind home and gave it to most of the Cardinals on their way back to the dugout. Was congratulated after game by Sarah Jessica Parker. Matthew was just glad not to have any more plastic beer bottles rolling under his seat. 4. 2006 Mets-MFYs. DWright's walkoff double of Mo. Nuff said. Beating them always makes the list. 3. 1986 Mets-Braves. My favorite alltime regular season game. Carter has 2 homers, 7 RBI by second inning. Straw has brawl with David Palmer after being plunked following Carter's 2nd homer. Mets win 11-0, Sid pitches 2 hit shutout, gets 3 hits of his own. We're on our way. Seating highlight: My friend Dino's buddy from the pharmacy, drops entire tray of beer across three rows of people trying to get back to our seats. 2. Grand Slam single. Went with my son age 8. Sat in uppers right field side. When we get to extras, he suggests moving down. Got a couple of great seats on first base side loge. Dunston, Ventura, Morrison. 1. Game 7 1986. Eight rows behind Red Sox dugout with my younger brother. So many times we sat in an empty house together. The only Game 7 the Mets ever won at Shea.

After reading this one, I wonder if the hard life took it's toll on Nick Willhite. It did on Dock. Dock Ellis, the former major league pitcher best remembered for his flamboyance and social activism as a member of the great Pittsburgh Pirates teams of the 1970s, died Friday of a liver ailment in California, his former agent, Tom Reich, confirmed. Ellis was 63. Ellis spent 12 years in the majors with Pittsburgh, the New York Yankees, Oakland, Texas and the New York Mets. He retired in 1979 with a record of 138-119, but was best known for several colorful incidents on and off the field. In his autobiography, "Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball,'' Ellis revealed that he threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres in June 1970 while under the influence of LSD. In May 1974 -- in an effort to inspire a lifeless Pittsburgh team -- Ellis drilled Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Dan Driessen in the top of the first inning. After walking Tony Perez, Ellis threw a pitch near Johnny Bench's head and was lifted from the game by manager Danny Murtaugh. Ellis also gave up Reggie Jackson's memorable home run off the Tiger Stadium light tower in the 1971 All-Star Game in Detroit. Off the field, Ellis spoke freely about racial issues, once telling reporters that he wouldn't start against Oakland's Vida Blue in the All-Star Game because Major League Baseball would never start "two soul brothers'' against each other. "Dock Ellis was my first client in baseball, and he gave me as much joy as anybody outside of my family," Reich said. "He was so unique. He was viewed by some people as an outlaw, but he was far from that. He was so ahead of his time. He was so intuitive and smart and talented and independent. And he wasn't about to roll over for the incredible prejudices that existed at the time. "He was a very special person and he had an absolute army of fans and friends. He was at the cutting edge of so many issues, and he never backed down. I was proud to be his friend and stand with him." Ellis suffered from cirrhosis of the liver and was placed on a list to receive a liver transplant in May. The Los Angeles Times wrote that Ellis had no health insurance, but received help paying his medical bills from friends in baseball. Bill Scaringe, an agent who represented Ellis after he retired, said Ellis worked for years in the California department of corrections helping inmates transition from prison back to the community. He also ran a drug counseling center in Los Angeles. "It's very disheartening," Scaringe said. "Dock was such a likeable person -- very gregarious, very outgoing. I would set up personal appearances for him, and after like 30 seconds, people were like relatives or neighbors. Dock was very easy to talk to. He was just a pleasure to be around."

I met Nick each of the last three years at the B.A.T. dinner. I never knew of his addiction problem. Just thought he went because he was proud of his career and supported the organization. He was a very humble guy. A great guy to talk to. It's good to see he supported the group that helped him get back to normal. RIP Nick.

Banco Popular Stadium.

John Stearns will be back managing the Nats AA team in Harrisburg as well.

I remember as a kid seeing a picture in a yearbook of the A's scoreboard. It read: The Oakland A's colors are California Gold, Kelly Green, and Vida Blue.

SteveJRogers wrote: Something else is interesting, and I've asked this before but to no response. Was Game 7 of the 1986 World Series the last time a sea of humanity rushed the field for a baseball championship? I thought for sure that Philly's Phinest couldn't contain a few hundred yahoos from rushing the field. Granted MLB/FOX had the on-field trophies and awards set up, but still. It wasn't game 7, it was the divisional clincher versus the Cubs. I missed that game due to work. My brother and I were at Game 7 and weren't allowed on the field. We didn't want to destroy it, just run out there like everyone did in '69. The field did get pretty messed up that night vs. Chicago, and I can't remember anyone ever having an on field celebration like that ever agin. I do remember people celebrating outside Shea after Game 7. Some guys even leaned into our car to hug us as we sat in bumper to bumper. No car flipping, no burning things with the outside pretzel vendors. Just alot of yelling and hugging.

Cleon imitated the catch. Orosco lifted both arms up like the final out in 1986. Some pitchers touched home with their fingers. Al Jackson said he touched the outside corner. The spot that he tried to paint all those years pitching for the Mets.

CF and Bernie were saved for last for effect only. Bernie hasn't been around for a while so they were counting on him getting the loudest ovation. I watched and noticed a few things. Willie getting a huge ovation. Like an innocent man being released from Met prison. Kay had to include the 'always a Yankee' line, or some such bullshit. When introducing Mantle, Sterling noted that Mick was the last player to win the Triple Crown. To hell with Frank Robby and Yaz I guess. They never called their home a cathedral. After tonight, the stadium officially becomes a masoleum in a graveyard.

April 2009. Somebody gets drilled. Chipper. McCann, Frenchy. Someone. Because I can't stand Gonzalez and his rocking motion. Ronnie seemed like he wished he could deliver that message personally. Notice how he does without the rocking when a man is on base? Bang. Zoom.

I predict that not one member of this year's bullpen gets in. Not even with paid admission.