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0 Subject: Which player do you most suspect of HGH/roid use?

Posted by: holt
- [38338181] Thu, Jun 05, 2014, 21:55

I think that the overall use of performance enhancers is way down but obviously they haven't just vanished. I'll just throw one name out there.

Carlos Gomez

I didn't draft him in any leagues because of this. Maybe I should have just drafted him.

C Gomez stats

Maybe we should start a pool for who gets the next suspension.
1filthy
      ID: 4157202
      Fri, Jun 06, 2014, 02:18
Sorry if any Brewers fans out there, this is coincidence I swear... I'd go with K-Rod. Guy got his reputation back pretty quick.

There has to be guys jealous enough of what Colon, Melky, Cruz are doing despite having a strike against them. Enough of a tipping point for some.

I wouldn't even be surprised to find out a lot of guys have been enhancing their whole way up the system all along. Certain guys and teams could get pretty good at finding flaws and loopholes in the whole system. I'd guess the guys who do get caught are getting caught despite great cover up attempts by many of their peers. And everyone around is learning a lot about where the line is, based on the mistakes of others. Some have already been cocky enough to find out where the line is on their own, so nothing would really surprise me. Like companies getting tipped off in advance about an audit being in town, or some of the scandals in the college and olympic sports worlds.

As a Jays fan, if I found out that guys like Lawrie, Bautista, Reyes, Melky, Edwin had been enhancing all throughout their careers, I'd have a pretty easy time rationalizing.

Suspects galore all around the league. I could make a case for and against every player in the league, so laugh at what I say all you wish haha. Just throwin it out there!

That would be a pretty fun pool haha.
2GO
      ID: 292502110
      Fri, Jun 06, 2014, 08:59
I think Toronto is even more known for stealing signs at home games.

Carlos Gomez went from basically Ben Revere when he a Met into what he is know. I know I find that pretty interesting.
3Perm Dude
      ID: 431013412
      Fri, Jun 06, 2014, 09:19
I dunno--I don't really see it. I'm not aware of any PDs which would help in making him faster--in fact, many PDs give bulk which would slow a player down. The real difference is that Gomez got a bit of playing time early but he was only 22-23, then his PT dropped for a few years and bounced back up. He's obviously on a career year right now, but he's still stealing bases.

I can see it more in pitchers, who could mask lack of speed in being, well, a pitcher. If KRod is juicing it wouldn't surprise me.
4mjd
      ID: 164222114
      Fri, Jun 06, 2014, 11:38
I don't see it either, but we've been fooled before. With so much money on the line, nothing would surprise me.

Gomez is producing these numbers in his prime.

Are they testing for HGH yet? If not, than no doubt someone is using.

If I were to suspect anyone, I'd look at guys 35 and older. Big Papi looked pretty washed up a few years ago.

I'm not accusing anyone, just saying...
5Ref
      ID: 55156513
      Fri, Jun 06, 2014, 12:17
PDs absolutely make you faster. Just ask the Olympic Committee and all the Track and Field National Governing Bodies.

There are a few guys this year which have made me wonder. Gomez I have wondered about for a couple years actually.
6holt
      ID: 38338181
      Fri, Jun 06, 2014, 13:32
Well, Peralta got 4 years $53 million with the Cardinals as a reward for his PED use.

Ortiz has been a head scratcher for me as well but who knows?
7Bean
      ID: 5292191
      Fri, Jun 06, 2014, 15:51
Pujols apparently quit cause he sucks now
8filthy
      ID: 4157202
      Sat, Jun 07, 2014, 23:18
To my (extremely minimal) knowledge, the main advantage that gets overlooked is the difference in endurance. The season is a marathon, and if you can be fresh while others are tired, that is a huge difference maker.

Also, I feel that among the 'chemist' crowd, there is an ability to tailor-make enhancers for various goals. Like if you wanted to be the best cyclist, but not get all huge. Or if you wanted to be able to be an action star as you approach retirement age. Or just get back to Cy Young or MVP form. Maybe to blossom from a rule V type to an All-Star type. Or just to make a roster one time. I'd be surprised if it wasn't still widespread but simply better hidden now. But hopefully this is just a cynical mind getting carried away, cause I don't know much, I just love watching the games. Really fun to speculate though.

Forgot about the Jays' stealing signs thing haha. Again, I would not be surprised. Probably disappointed if they weren't trying something. Getting RA Dickey and focussing most of the budget on the offense make me think they are trying to find a way to use their dome to their advantage finally. Even adding some speed to get an edge on their turf has been nice. Every edge helps. If a team isn't trying to gain every edge, they aren't trying hard enough.

Clemens began his career rebirth in Toronto, and Jose Canseco had a few nice years. I rooted for both and am even starting to let Melky win me over. Just can't help myself. I'd be pretty ridiculous if I truly hated on guys for juicing, but when I draft and speculate, that is exactly what happens. Colour me ridiculous! This likely explains why I think the problem is still so deeprooted, I still have a deep down need to rationalize my years of cheering for Clemens, Canseco and even Bonds/Sosa etc!

Carlos Gomez is definitely an interesting case. Called up as a youngster, before it was trendy. Traded as a key piece and had a big weight to deal with. Really reborn in Milwaukee. The weight was off? Or he was playing alongside Braun? Coin flip to me. Prime years would be the easiest time to mask your cycling. A big talent that never quite survived the marathon season could really blossom into a stud if he could just make it through the grind. Gomez also reminds me a bit of Carlos Beltran. This could well be legit prime year stats? Beltran could be suspect himself?

Ortiz, as much as I don't like the Red Sox, could easily be a guy that is flat out awesome when playing healthy. Most of his down peaks can be linked with nagging injury or not getting playing time. A very similar case to Jose Bautista, in my mind. Fantastic plate approach, with an intimidating presence. Bounced around but blossomed with playing time. Or blossomed for another reason?

What about guys like Trout, Cabrera, Yadi, Tulo, Votto, Felix, Kershaw? They're all too good. That's all I got, but still, they're too good... haha so maybe I can't make a case for and against every player, but I can get pretty cynical or defensive with a lot of players around the league!

All for now guys. Cheers!
9filthy
      ID: 4157202
      Mon, Jun 09, 2014, 00:17
Papi hits a belt high slider into space, gotta be juicin?!

Overall, after much flip-flopping, I think(hope) that the number of players using enhancers is closer to 10% than to 100%.

While optimism has control of me, I wonder which player do I least suspect of using enhancers?

Out of the names I listed jokingly at the end of the last post, I'd be the most shocked if Kershaw turned out to be fool's gold. Also, Torii Hunter and Ichiro using enhancers would really shock me. Those are just the first 3 that came to mind. There are definitely a lot of guys I could suggest that still give me hope and make me think my cynical thoughts are pretty nutty. Tough to trust professional sports still, but I don't enjoy it any less. Mind of a sports fan? Or I'm definitely nutty? Certified sports nut for sure. Haha enjoy...
10holt
      ID: 38338181
      Sun, Jun 22, 2014, 17:59
I wouldn't be shocked if Juan Uribe is busted. Not that he's lighting the league on fire, but still, I wonder.

Career: .254/.300/.421

2011: .204/.264/.293
2012: .191/.258/.284
2013: .278/.331/.438
2014: .303/.331/.454
11mjd
      ID: 164222114
      Tue, Jun 24, 2014, 14:43
With so much money involved, it wouldn't be a big deal for any player to spend $25-30K or more to hire their own personal chemist.

No doubt, just like recreational drugs, if there is demand, a supplier will crawl out from under some rock.
12holt
      ID: 38338181
      Tue, Jun 24, 2014, 18:56
As Uribe has said himself, most latin players financially support large extended families and have a huge incentive to make every dollar they can.

Article from 2009.

An excerpt:
This day, Uribe spent most of his time with the media trying to explain away an allegation that he had fired a pistol at a local man -- he has a court date on Feb. 21 that will keep him from reporting to the White Sox on time. But when a reporter turned the subject to steroids, Uribe cocked his head sideways with a slightly menacing glance. Never used them, he said. Nobody ever approached him. Some players dabble, sure. And when they do, they're taking a risk, he said.

He was considerably more conversant about the pressures that weigh on Dominican players, especially those struggling to make it or stick in the big leagues.

"The players are really hungry," Uribe said through interpreter Enrique Rojas, an ESPNdeportes.com reporter. "They are hungry for success. Maybe they take stuff in the street. Not in baseball, but outside. They take stuff because they think it is better to improve fast.

"The American guys don't have this pressure for having food for their family, maybe 20 people to support. Think about that: four brothers and four sisters. Lots of cousins, nephews. I support my brothers' kids, sisters' kids. And parents. Some uncles. Every Dominican player is the same."
13filthy
      ID: 4157202
      Sat, Sep 06, 2014, 05:08
At the very least, I think Ben Revere at some Wheaties this week...
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