12/22/24
August 03, 2005
Palmeiro took powerful steroid: Accidental my ass . That sound you hear is a HOF career being flushed down the toilet .
posted by evil empire to baseball at 08:17 AM - 48 comments
"The person who said that Palmeiro tested positive for stanozolol did not want to be identified because the testing policy prohibits anyone in baseball from disclosing information about test results without authorization, the Times said." This is what this thread should be about. If the commissioner's office is going to allow leaks in violation of the testing policy agreement with the players, then how is the players association going to react. I'm not big on labor and unions, but if I were them, I would put an immediate halt to all testing until the commissioner's office finds the leak, fires him or her, and takes other action to ensure it does not happen again.
posted by graymatters at 11:05 AM on August 03, 2005
Gray, I couldn't agree more. Hold Selig personally responsible for this information getting out and keep hammering him until someone's out of a job. You signed an agreement -- stick to it.
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:14 AM on August 03, 2005
I don't think it's possible to stop leaks. If the players are fighting for secrecy in drug testing results, I'm glad that someone's finding a way around that. The drug Palmeiro tested positive for should be part of the public record, especially given his Congressional testimony and the defense he is making.
posted by rcade at 11:15 AM on August 03, 2005
It is rare, but I have to agree with rcade. There is absolutely no need for whatever they tested positive for to be a secret. The only thing that it allows them is to get away with saying "I didn't know" or "it was in my OTC cold medicine". The leak was technically wrong but overall not so bad. Personally I hope they leak every positives actual drug, as it is the first thing I want to know every time I hear of one. Like what was Ryan Franklin on? A 6-11 record and a 4.16 ERA could help wipe that juice outta the market if we knew what it was.
posted by pivo at 12:42 PM on August 03, 2005
Greymatters, you make a good point. But is the atmosphere really viable for such a move? The union blocked testing, caved under popular pressure, and now we can see that there is certainly a steroid problem in baseball. Palmeiro is the most vivid evidence of this. How, then, can the union again be seen as obstructing the testing process? Maybe they don't care how they're perceived publicly, but I doubt they would want to weather the firestorm of criticism such a move would engender. I also agree with rcade, Palmeiro's statements after the announcement practically begged for this leak to happen.
posted by Venice CA at 12:42 PM on August 03, 2005
Last night on Letterman Top Ten Rafael Palmeiro Excuses 10. "Pete Rose bet me I wouldn't do it" 9. There wasn't a Starbucks around and I needed a quick pick-me up" 8. "I enjoy the fresh minty flavor" 7. "Uhh, I lost it in the sun?" 6. "Somebody must've slipped something into my Viagra" 5. "Steroids illegal?! Since when?" 4. "Heard steroids give your mustache a glossy coat" 3. "Memory loss from steroid use made me forget I was on steroids" 2. " 'Roids rule, dude!" 1. "How am I supposed to keep track of every single thing I stick up my ass?"
posted by smithnyiu at 12:49 PM on August 03, 2005
Not only that but if I were a player, I would want the public to know if it was something other than a hard steroid. The only reason I would want the fact hidden is if it was hard,direct steroid abuse. Palmeiro has lost on all accounts.
posted by volfire at 01:07 PM on August 03, 2005
Just out of curiosity, why is it anyone's business what test he failed? Just because he's a baseball player? And anyway, it's a moot point. MLB itself says they aren't supposed to be discussing it, but they are. Find the leak and plug -- preferably with a lead slug.
posted by wfrazerjr at 01:45 PM on August 03, 2005
By the way. Where is Bud during all this? Wouldn't you think he'd be saying something about all this? He has to be the worst Commissioner ever. He just sits back and lets baseball wander in any direction it wants. No wonder it is in the mess it is in.
posted by dbt302 at 02:03 PM on August 03, 2005
We can't even keep the names of our CIA operatives secret; what chance did Palmeiro's piss test ever have?
posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:04 PM on August 03, 2005
Palmiero to release test results to Congress This better not be one of those bullshit stories that the press prints relying on secret sources that turns out to be a bunch of freaking lies.
posted by graymatters at 02:33 PM on August 03, 2005
It is our business for a very imporstant reason. We {the fans} are the ones who pay to see these people play year in and year out. We cheer for them to do well everytime they take the field. We are a major part as to why they can do this for a living. Fact is, We have every bit as much a right to know what they are doing as MLB does! These morons are looked up to by kids and adults alike. Kids want to be like their heroes. Do want your kid{s} to be just like Palmeiro, McGwire, Bonds or any of these other fools? Saying he didn't know how it happened makes it even worse. Yes, Yes it is our business! Once again, out of respect, you play the game the way it is supposed to be played-IN COMPLETE FAIRNESS! That goes for all the other cheats past, present and definately future.
posted by melcarek69 at 02:37 PM on August 03, 2005
No, I'm smart enough as a parent to tell my kid(s), "Great ballplayer, but not necessarily a great person. Here, go read about Ban Franklin." Seems to work just fine. Mel, you also pay your mechanic good money to fix your car. Is it your business if he goes home and smokes a joint (so long as he doesn't come to work high and fill your radiator with chocolate pudding or something)? If you go pay $10 to see a movie, are you going to demand the results of drug tests on Rob Schnieder? I get your point about baseball players being paid by your tickets ... I just don't think it warrants them being under more scrutiny or having less rights than you or I.
posted by wfrazerjr at 02:59 PM on August 03, 2005
That goes for all the other cheats past, present and definately future. Didn't read the fineprint I guess. All cheats including mechanics and Rob Schneider. If it was ok to do the shit, it would be legal! I work on my own cars anyway.
posted by melcarek69 at 03:02 PM on August 03, 2005
Also, a mechanic wouldn't be looked up to by thousands and thousands of people. I agree that getting into others business is shaky business, but when you are in the public eye. Well let's just say, the spotlight can make you or break you.
posted by melcarek69 at 03:07 PM on August 03, 2005
Here is a good piece of news to ponder. It was said on First and Ten that Raffy's positive test was in May. Yes, I said May. It's August. Why would MLB hold this information? Makes you wonder what is really going on.
posted by dbt302 at 03:16 PM on August 03, 2005
Well congress is back to sticking their nose in all this. The test results are supposed to be on the way. So much for keeping things out of public knowledge. Here we go again.
posted by volfire at 03:26 PM on August 03, 2005
And as far as what we have a right to know about professionals, Would you want to know if your doctor took something to calm down, or enhance his performance, before surgury? I know this is an abstract comparison, but doctors don't operate in front of thousands. (get paid like a ball player though)
posted by volfire at 03:40 PM on August 03, 2005
Note the ads on the right of this page. Poor advertising. If they really want to sell roids, describe them as "undetectable". They wouldnt be able to keep them on the shelves
posted by hump9n at 03:42 PM on August 03, 2005
Is it your business if he goes home and smokes a joint (so long as he doesn't come to work high and fill your radiator with chocolate pudding or something)? I just spit cola all over my monitor. If it was ok to do the shit, it would be legal! Winstrol is FDA approved for human use. There is nothing "illegal" about this drug. Using it while participating in a sporting endeavour might get you suspended from that sport, but the cops aren't going to do anything about it. How you purchased the drug, or how it was distributed, might be considered illegal.
posted by grum@work at 03:44 PM on August 03, 2005
That's actually pretty sad considering that the statistics show that 2in 8 boys and 1 in10 girls, are likely to try this crap. I think thats pretty high. Course thats not our national heros problem, they didn't ask to be role models.
posted by volfire at 03:48 PM on August 03, 2005
It ain't illegal to be high on heroin/meth/you name it (given you aren't driving or disturbing the peace) either. The stickiness comes with posession, purchasing, distrubition, etc.
posted by garfield at 03:50 PM on August 03, 2005
Whether steroids are illegal to the public is not an issue. Baseball has ruled they give a player an unfair advantage. Every job has its rules. If you don't follow them, you're gone. I get even more pissed off that "roach" ricky is returning to the dolphins. He has to "provide for his family". Yeah, taking a year's hiatus, to smoke in some tent. Try doing this. When you're tested for drugs at work, tell them you're retiring to see the world. Then come back one year later after your money's gone. We get arrested, he gets his job back (nice money too)
posted by dopeless at 04:12 PM on August 03, 2005
Winstrol is FDA approved for human use. I'm sure you mean with a prescription or something, not over the counter, right? By that standard, methadone and morphine are legal.
posted by chris2sy at 04:18 PM on August 03, 2005
AMEN dopeless
posted by evil empire at 04:19 PM on August 03, 2005
I'm sure you mean with a prescription or something, not over the counter, right? By that standard, methadone and morphine are legal. Correct. I was just taking umbrage with idea that Winstrol is "illegal".
posted by grum@work at 04:23 PM on August 03, 2005
Every athlete that's "doped up" and been caught has had some excuse. I would respect some guy who said "I'm sorry, I tried to get ahead of the next guy, I was wrong". You know what a great deterrent would be? If, instead of suspending an athlete, have him work, roll up his sleeves, clean toilets, scrub floors, and pay him crap for a year. I'll guarantee you these guys would stay straight
posted by dopeless at 04:32 PM on August 03, 2005
Every job has its rules. If you don't follow them, you're gone Right. And what kills me is Palmero can technically fail 3 more times before MLB can kick him to the curb. What a fucking cool job.
posted by smithnyiu at 04:36 PM on August 03, 2005
I demand to see the results of the drug tests on those who pay $10 to go see a movie starring Rob Schneider. Back on topic... Baseball has ruled they give a player an unfair advantage. That may be the ostensible reason, but the real reason steroids are being tested for has to do with public health policy, and NOT with any supposed advantage given to a player by them.
posted by ravenous at 05:59 PM on August 03, 2005
Good one ravenous.... I wondered why he picked a Rob Schneider movie too ... I'd rather throw the money away than spend it on any of his movies . Also, it's almost like mlb officials care more about the image sent out than the health of a player juiced up . Players are looked up to as heros to kids so the governing body of baseball has to keep pressure off themselves put on by parents . If they knew back in May that Palmeiro failed his test why didn't they come right out and say it then . They just let a few months pass without informing one of the star players that he tested possitive . If they cared about his health wouldn't they have told him the minute they found out ? Deion Sanders was asked about this Palmeiro case and said something i found confusing ....Sanders said that shortly before he decided to end his three-year retirement last Aug. 31, he received medical treatment for an ankle he hurt while playing basketball. When he took his Ravens' physical, steroids were detected in his system. ``The next thing I know they're testing me weekly. I'm like, what's going on? I had never had a prior,'' he recalled. ``They told me I flunked the steroid test. I was on the random steroid test every week because I took something for my ankle.'' The Ravens, however, said late Tuesday that Sanders never failed a drug test, but was given weekly screenings because he skipped a random drug test shortly before he retired from the Washington Redskins in 2000. Because the treatment was administered before he rejoined the NFL and confirmed by his doctor, Sanders was not disciplined by the league. Now , if you believe Sanders then the Ravens added a player who tested possitive for steroids . Yet we are just hearing this today and by the players admission not the Ravens or the NFL. Seems backwords to me if they care about a players health .
posted by evil empire at 06:35 PM on August 03, 2005
Prosecute the mother F-er. Kick him out. Any athlete being paid to play ANY SPORT should lose their career for steroids. Make an example of him. He's a liar and he uses a drug that gives an unfair advantage over all the players out there working their butts off to stay in the game....or even get in. F him. But we all know they'll slap his hand and give him a "Now you can't do this again, young man. That's a no no." Freaken politics. Roidfeal Palmeiro must be PUNISHED!
posted by Irish Gal at 08:07 PM on August 03, 2005
And I must say that I agree with "dopeless". Right on.
posted by Irish Gal at 08:09 PM on August 03, 2005
are they suspended without pay ? i never heard whether this was the case , sure as hell should be, but this is pro sports so i'd doubt it . anyone know?
posted by evil empire at 08:20 PM on August 03, 2005
Yes, I heard suspended without pay. Supposed to cost him a little over 100K (according to ESPN radio).
posted by smithnyiu at 11:16 PM on August 03, 2005
Exactly, Evil one. That's why I say it's really a public health issue, i.e., "Would someone please think of the CHILDREN?!?" as opposed to a player-health or game fairness issue. What's driving congressional involvement in this matter are the stories of high-school age kids and so on taking steroids in order to be competitive and then suffering serious health consequences, often death, as a result.
posted by ravenous at 12:59 AM on August 04, 2005
As far as why the delay, there was an appeal to an arbitrator. The suspension doesn't take effect until he's ruled. One thing I still can't figure out: what do steroids in baseball have to do with government reform??
posted by silverpie at 07:10 AM on August 04, 2005
That's why I say it's really a public health issue, i.e., "Would someone please think of the CHILDREN?!?" as opposed to a player-health or game fairness issue. What's driving congressional involvement in this matter are the stories of high-school age kids and so on taking steroids in order to be competitive and then suffering serious health consequences, often death, as a result. That's what you say, but please don't confuse your opinions (or mine) with the rationale that justifies the rule. It's common in workplace drug testing today that its advocates can rarely articulate their justification: what problem they're looking for, why it's their business to look for it, how the tradeoff justifies their invasion of privacy, or how they'll deal with a problem if they find one. And in sports, the situation is even more confused. You think they are, or should be, doing it "for the children". Others think they are, or should be, doing it to protect the players from themselves. Many -- most? -- vaguely mumble something about a "level playing field", but they can't tell you why that's a good or necessary thing or why Dianabol should be different from ginseng or a good t-bone steak. Don't ever, ever, ever expect any policy to be worth a puddle of piss if you can't even agree on why you're doing it.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:51 AM on August 04, 2005
Oh screw the children. If they want to do steriods because, well, they're morons then I say go nuts (sans nuts). Let's not pretend we can 'protect' people against themselves by legislating MLB to help set an example. That said, I am completely against drug testing of any sort outside the bounds of athletic competition.... Okay maybe Essential Services too - no good can come from having Sgt. Wayne "PCP" Johnson behind the wheel of a cruiser.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:02 AM on August 04, 2005
Now , if you believe Sanders then the Ravens added a player who tested possitive for steroids . Yet we are just hearing this today and by the players admission not the Ravens or the NFL. If you are under the care of a physician and have a legitimate medical reason to take a substance that is on the list of banned performance-enhancing drugs, then they are not prohibited. Otherwise, players would not be able to get the best treatment available for any given condition lest the NFL/MLB suspend them. If Raffie was under the care of a doctor, then he would not have been suspended either. I don't like the one-size-fits-all nature of performance-enhancing drugs suspension. A player using an anabolic steroid should be suspended for longer than one who took the wrong nutritional supplement at GNC. One thing I still can't figure out: what do steroids in baseball have to do with government reform?? If you are asking why that is the House committee holding the steroids hearings, then the answer is because they are committee responsible for drug policy in this country.
posted by bperk at 08:04 AM on August 04, 2005
Oh screw the children. I dunno about where you live, but a man can find himself in a heap or trouble 'round here just because they like to attend a prom or two. And bring liquor.
posted by yerfatma at 08:31 AM on August 04, 2005
i didn't think this was worthy of a fpp so i'll just tuck it away here. some guy has been calling local and national media outlets claiming to be Yankees president Randy Levine's assistant. he's been claiming that Giambi has tesed positive for steriods (which a team and MLB source deny).
posted by goddam at 09:19 AM on August 04, 2005
At least have the stones to identify yourself as Randy Levine. That being said, I love when people pose as minor league celebs. It's funny and fairly successful. Didn't someone in Jersey just get nabbed for posing a J Lo's personal assistant and raking in tens of thousands of comped goods? That's the American Dream: be crooked, but stay low to the ground.
posted by yerfatma at 09:27 AM on August 04, 2005
According to ESPN Radio, the ol' "anonymous source" within MLB says that Raffy (finally, the official spelling...I got it from Arn Tellem's statement) is, literally, just the tip of the iceberg. According to Mr. Anonymous, "several well known" major leaguers have already tested positive and gone through the arbitrator just as Palmeiro did, and new suspensions could hit the news wires in a week to two weeks. Selig thought he was protecting his league from Congressional committees, but it appears as though he's opened Pandora's Box instead...
posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:04 PM on August 04, 2005
honestly, how the hell do you accidently take steriods? I think I'd feel a needle in my ass
posted by SDM at 06:47 PM on August 04, 2005
some guy has been calling local and national media outlets claiming to be Yankees president Randy Levine's assistant. he's been claiming that Giambi has tesed positive for steriods I confess Trott Nixon did it (he has had all that time on his hands while on the DL) lol
posted by jojomfd1 at 10:03 PM on August 04, 2005
at least Palmeiro had the sense to have his ceremony cancelled
posted by goddam at 10:12 PM on August 04, 2005
Where has our sense of adventure gone? Geez, if someone on 'roids can do the impossible, shouldn't we be paying to see it? I mean, we go to the circus; we watch WWF (well, not yours truely), who knows what some of those participants are taking to enhance themselves just so we get our money's worth? Are the steroid takers not simply trying to be all they can be? Hmm... I'm running outta excuses here. I'd say: here's a quarter call someone who cares, but I can't find my change just now.
posted by GalLiTeR at 08:54 AM on August 05, 2005
I hate it when those steroids accidentally make their way into my Wheaties. Wish there was something I could do about that. I'll bet Raffy feels the same way.