04/23/24
April 03, 2005
They got one. : Tampa Bay's Alex Sanchez becomes the first MLB player busted for performance-enhancing drugs under the new regs.
posted by lil_brown_bat to baseball at 06:40 PM - 35 comments
I'm burning my Alex Sanchez autographed jersey.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 06:51 PM on April 03, 2005
Alex Sanchez is probably the LAST person I expected to see get caught for using steroids. He's claiming that it was something OTC. Implication, possibly, that it wasn't listed on the ingredients? This was the claim made in 2002 by a member of the US bobsled team -- I think this was the case -- that he had taken an OTC supplement that contained a banned substance not listed on the ingredient list. The bobsledder in question was able to back up his claim with a sample of the supplement in question, but he was still SOL, since the 'lympics don't care why the stuff was in your bloodstream. But Sanchez might get further with this line of argument.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:39 PM on April 03, 2005
Alex Sanchez? I crap bigger'n him. /with apologies to Jack Palance
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:29 PM on April 03, 2005
wfrazerjr, I don't think we really want to know the details of when you and Alex Sanchez got together to see who could crap bigger ;-)
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:35 PM on April 03, 2005
The perfect catch for MLB. A guy who no one suspected, no one will miss, and one that can be seen to lend creedence to the idea that steriods aren't an automatic ticket to superstardom. Not to mention a quick hit - the policies are working! Mmmmm... perfect.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:30 PM on April 03, 2005
What? Alex Sanchez, oh my gosh. what a tragedy, now baseball will never be the same.Is this what you were hoping we would say Bud Selig? What a surprise a low level scapegoat just to prove the new system is working.Please stop insulting our intelligence Bud.
posted by flounder at 11:31 PM on April 03, 2005
The bobsledder in question was able to back up his claim with a sample of the supplement in question, but he was still SOL, since the 'lympics don't care why the stuff was in your bloodstream. But Sanchez might get further with this line of argument. If a substance is on the banned list then the players needs to be responsible for what he is putting into his body. I hope they dont cut Sanchez some slack. Maybe these guys will be more carefull. Baseball had better stay on the "hardline" with this. An appeal shouldnt not be allowed as it will only "muddy" the waters.
posted by daddisamm at 11:46 PM on April 03, 2005
If he's not executed by dawn tomorrow morning, I will be greatly disappointed.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:34 AM on April 04, 2005
and all this time we thought barry bonds was the bad guy.... O wait he is
posted by david at 12:40 AM on April 04, 2005
HOW BOUT THOSE PADRES!! sorry.
posted by david at 12:45 AM on April 04, 2005
Alex who? I also crap bigger than him (not "take craps bigger than he does lil_brown_bat....my crap is bigger than he actually is...not that I really care to discuss fecal habits) Let's just wait and see if Bud and company have the baseBALLS to suspend a "Big Name" player, (i.e. Bonds, Rodriguez, Sosa, etc). I think suspending should only be the first step. However, let's see...hmmm...If I took illegal drugs on my job, I would be suspended, then the 2nd time I did it I would be suspended again, the 3rd time = 3rd suspension, 4th = 4th....even the state of California and their ultra-liberal way of thinking starts putting drunk drivers behind bars after the 2nd or 3rd offense. What kind of STOOOOPID IDEA is it to allow up to four incidents before the commissioner even has to do anything? What about 1st offense = suspension, 2nd offense = suspended for entire next season and remainder of current season, 3rd offense = banned from MLB? These are baseball PLAYers....PLAY, get it? If they can't follow the rules, let them get into another line of work, just like the millions of others that work in this country.
posted by BigAl4Auburn at 02:35 AM on April 04, 2005
Let's just wait and see if Bud and company have the baseBALLS to suspend a "Big Name" player, (i.e. Bonds, Rodriguez, Sosa, etc). Just a reminder, the player actually has to be CAUGHT by the steroid testing before he can be suspended. I'd be surprised if any of the big name players are a) going to still be using anything this close to the season b) going to use something that would show up on the test By the way, can we put Alex Sanchez down as a data point for the argument "Steroids don't necessarily make you a better baseball player."?
posted by grum@work at 08:12 AM on April 04, 2005
By the way, can we put Alex Sanchez down as a data point for the argument "Steroids don't necessarily make you a better baseball player."? Yeah, I'll have to second that: and the first person caught under the new policy is...(drumroll)...Alex Sanchez...who?
posted by chris2sy at 09:59 AM on April 04, 2005
How about we just kick him out for being the most stupid guy to put on a glove? I' mean com'on, opening day? Maybe he could get Sammy Sosa's interpreter for the appeal. And as for not knowing what was orwas'nt on the label, I haven't heard of anyone suing GNC yet now have they?
posted by volfire at 12:18 PM on April 04, 2005
Oh, by the way, its only 10 days. If he can find his reciept from GNC he might have an appeal. And be able to recoup the 32,000$ he lost on OPENING DAY! What an asshole!!!!!
posted by volfire at 12:28 PM on April 04, 2005
Can anyone say sacrificial lamb?
posted by animalver_1 at 01:19 PM on April 04, 2005
I don't know whether he did it or not. But I think he deserves some support. For all those who ask: Who is Alex Sanchez? This is the Alex Sanchez who defected from Cuba. This is the Alex Sanchez who was recently reconciled with his mother and brother after being seperated for 11 years. This is the Alex Sanchez who, just when his life looked to become more stable, was released by the Tigers. He managed to get signed to the Devil Rays, and now this. I hope, for his sake, that this is all just a big mistake.
posted by lilnemo at 02:51 PM on April 04, 2005
I don't know whether he did it or not. But I think he deserves some support. Interesting that the "little guy" is supposed to get some support, but I doubt the same feelings would go towards a "big guy" like Bonds, Sosa or Giambi if they had a similar sob story. I don't wish ill-will on anyone, but if you get caught (not just accused, but caught) cheating, there is no one to blame but yourself.
posted by grum@work at 03:20 PM on April 04, 2005
Fact: Human Growth Hormone is not one of the substances that MLB players are tested for. Supposedly it is undetectable. The big boys can keep using HGH with no worries. Don't expect Barry's neck to shrink back to normal any time soon.
posted by mayerkyl at 03:31 PM on April 04, 2005
Let's just wait and see if Bud and company have the baseBALLS to suspend a "Big Name" player, (i.e. Bonds, Rodriguez, Sosa, etc). Baseball isn't going to be as vocal when catching a "Big Name" player like Bonds because they know how much it will tarnish the game and records. No one gives a shit about someone like Alex Sanchez, and it was just in time for opening day..... weird.
posted by mossface at 03:49 PM on April 04, 2005
Problem with the HGH is normal humans produce it. The problem is determining a sufficent level at which a person is guilty (this is a big problem in the olympics/cycling).
posted by jmd82 at 05:05 PM on April 04, 2005
If it's traceable or not, I thought the media took out Barry's knee!!!!!! I mean co'mon, big fish little fish, those asshole's in Congress are still smiling like the WHOLE fish! Anybody got some more fuel for the fire???!!!
posted by volfire at 05:52 PM on April 04, 2005
If it's traceable or not, I thought the media took out Barry's knee!!!!!! I mean co'mon, big fish little fish, those asshole's in Congress are still smiling like the WHOLE fish! Anybody got some more fuel for the fire???!!! I have absolutely no clue as to what is being said here...
posted by grum@work at 07:17 PM on April 04, 2005
Interesting that the "little guy" is supposed to get some support, but I doubt the same feelings would go towards a "big guy" like Bonds, Sosa or Giambi if they had a similar sob story. Actually grum, if you have read any of my past comments on the matter you would know that I do feel that way. And I don't think being reunited with your mother after 11 years of seperation is a "sob story". I understand the point you are trying to make, but you're quoting me as if I think the "big guys" should be villified, which I don't, which renders your point moot.
posted by lilnemo at 08:33 PM on April 04, 2005
Hey Bud. This puny scapegoat ploy using Sanchez is ridiculous, even for you. If its credibility you're after for your new 'roids program, latch onto somebody that everybody knows is taking steroids. As it is, who's next on your (s)hit list -- Bambi?
posted by roberts at 09:01 PM on April 04, 2005
As it is, who's next on your (s)hit list -- Bambi? Bambi's a boy deer, which means he's gonna grow up and get him some antlers. And then you know what happens: fuck with the deer, you get the antler! IOW, no, I don't think Bud is gonna go after Bambi.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:00 PM on April 04, 2005
lilnemo - My apologies.
posted by grum@work at 10:46 PM on April 04, 2005
And now the list of those caught has grown even larger (but involving even less famous players).
posted by grum@work at 10:50 PM on April 04, 2005
LOL, grum, those MLBers be funny! One puzzler is why all those minor leaguers got 15 game suspensions except owend by A's Castillo got 60!
posted by billsaysthis at 11:56 PM on April 04, 2005
So does this make him a Dirty Sanchez?
posted by geekyguy at 03:19 AM on April 05, 2005
Now that March Madness is over, I'm really curious to see how much play these bait-&-switch offenders are going to get in the Entertainment and Sports Programming Networks nationwide.
posted by chicobangs at 11:20 AM on April 05, 2005
Interesting that the "little guy" is supposed to get some support, but I doubt the same feelings would go towards a "big guy" like Bonds, Sosa or Giambi if they had a similar sob story. Easy to explain -- the little guys haven't proven themselves to be lying assholes like the big guys.
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:43 AM on April 06, 2005
Easy to explain -- the little guys haven't proven themselves to be lying assholes like the big guys. That's because no one has asked them yet. Do you think they'd fess up to using steroids if a Sports Illustrated writer got in their face at a post-game press scrum? I'm pretty sure they'd be lying assholes like the big guys.
posted by grum@work at 01:21 PM on April 06, 2005
Billy - The A's Castillo got a 60 game suspension because of him getting a third failed test
posted by kurt71 at 06:39 PM on April 06, 2005
Alex Sanchez is probably the LAST person I expected to see get caught for using steroids. Carlos Delgado has hit the same number of HR in one GAME as Sanchez has in 4 seasons.