MLB Suspends those Players Involved with Biogenesis

Earlier this week Major League Baseball handed down suspensions as expected to those players involved with performance enhancing drugs (PED) and the Biogenesis company. Some names bigger than others and some will have additional consequences as their teams with be without them during the playoff race. The biggest name, Alex Rodriguez will continue to play while he appeals his suspension. I personally don't think that he should be allowed to play with the playoff race going on and his affect on that. Can sports really keep ahead of the PED game? This is a major statement from MLB but this has been going on for how many years now? Who know how many players are truly on the juice and other pharmaceutical goodies.

Suspensions due to Biogenesis:

-Alex Rodriguez - 211 games
-Cesar Carrillo - 100 games already served
-Ryan Braun - 65 games
-Antonio Bastardo - 50 games
-Everth Cabrera - 50 games
-Francisco Cervelli - 50 games
-Nelson Cruz - 50 games
-Fautino De Los Santos - 50 games
-Sergio Escalona - 50 games
-Fernando Martinez - 50 games
-Jesus Montero - 50 games
-Jordan Norberto - 50 games
-Jhonny Peralta - 50 games
-Cesar Puello - 50 games
-Jordany Valdespin - 50 games
-Melky Cabrera - 50 games already served
-Bartolo Colon - 50 games already served
-Yasmani Grandal - 50 games already served

Biogenesis Scandal Expands to Other Major Sports

Biogenesis, the Miami anti-aging clinic tied to performance enhancing drug (PED) use by baseball players has wider list of professional athletes tied to them than first believed. Initially thought to be tied to just MLB players, now reports from SB Nation and others are linking NBA, MMA, boxing and tennis players. Former Biogenesis employee Porter Fischer divulged the information about the companies owner Tony Bosch and who they provided PED's to in an interview with ESPN's "Outside the Lines". Ryan Braun in baseball has already accepted a season ending 65 game suspension from MLB. So who will be next and from which sport?

Is Clay Buchholz Doctoring Baseballs?

On May first Clay Buchholz and the Boston Red Sox dominated the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1 behind Buchholz's seven shutout innings striking out eight and only allowing two hits. The scoreboard crew in Toronto noticed something funny from the video footage, it appeared that Buchholz may have had some sort of substance on his left forearm that he would swipe with two of his fingers. Although the Blue Jays did not accuse Buchholz of cheating and no one approached him during the game, Blue Jays broadcaster and former pitcher Jack Morris definitely believes he was cheating and also throwing spitballs. It very well could have been sweat and rosin but who knows. Buchholz is putting up crazy statistics so far this season going 6-0 with a 1.01 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings over his first six starts. Whether he was doctoring baseballs or not he will certainly be scrutinized from here on out.

Red Sox Suggested PED Use to Curt Schilling

Several weeks ago former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling told ESPN radio that former members of the Red Sox organization suggested the use of performance enhancing drugs to lengthen his career. The conversation was in the clubhouse in earshot of several people so obviously nothing to hide from others and common place in that clubhouse at the time. I don't doubt that PED use was rampant in MLB and probably still is.

MLB Investigating More PED Usage

Major League Baseball is currently investigating more performance enhancing drug (PED) usage among it's current players. This time they are seeking the records of Biogenesis Anti-Aging Clinic founder Tony Bosch who has a notebook of PED plans for baseball players including Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, Nelson, Cruz, Gio Gonzalez and other players over the last three years. No surprise here but will monitor this story to see who they officially link to this and the consequences they hand down.

Hall of Shame

Not one Major League Baseball player received enough votes on the 2013 MLB Hall of Fame ballot to be inducted. Steroid linked players Roger Clemens (37.6%), Barry Bonds (36.2%), Mark McGwire (16.9%), Sammy Sosa (12.5%) and Rafael Palmeiro (8.8%) were all well short of the 75% of votes needed to be enshrined. Did MLB voters make the right decision or risk being called the Hall of Shame? I see both sides of the argument and will leave that up to the public. I am still waiting for Pete Rose to be reinstated for eligibility but that doesn't look like it will ever happen.

Rookie Padres Catcher Yasmani Grandal Suspended

San Diego Padres rookie catcher Yasmani Grandal burst onto the scene this past June which included two home runs in his first career start. Grandal tested positive for testosterone and has been banned for 50 games which will begin with the start of the 2013 season. Grandal accepted responsibility for his actions. Someone was in a rush to make the bigs and make a statement but unfortunately he got caught.

Baseball Player Bartolo Colon Suspended for PEDs

Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon was recently suspended for 50 games after testing positive for testosterone. Colon is the fifth player suspended in the big leagues this year. With Oakland in the playoff hunt this may have some consequences on his team later this season.

Melky Cabrera Suspended 50 Games for PED

San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera was recently suspended 50 games after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug (PED). At the time of Cabrera's suspension his batting average of .346 was second in the National League which could show a correlation between these drugs and performance advantages.

Marlon Byrd Tests Positive for Banned Substance

Baseball player Marlon Byrd has been suspended for 50 games for a positive test of Tamoxifen which is on the list of banned substances and classified as a performance enhancing drug by Major League Baseball. Tamoxifen increases testosterone and reduces the side effects of steroid use. Byrd has apologized and stated a medication he took for a previous condition resulted in the positive test. Interesting to note though, Bryd had a close working relationship with BALCO founder Victor Conte from 2008 to 2011.

2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun Fails Drug Test

Yes, you read the title correctly. 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faces a 50-game suspension if upheld. The result is currently being disputed by Braun through arbitration. Braun helped lead the Milwaukee Brewers to its first division title in almost three decades. At this level it seems everyone is suspect these days.

Barry Bonds - Who Cares?

So the Barry Bonds hearing is over as of a couple of weeks ago and we all know he was found guilty of obstruction of justice.  A mistrial was declared on the three perjury counts.  Case closed, we all know he cheated with steroids and hope we don't hear more.  I do think that all 105 or whatever the number of players named in the Balco report should be publicly named.  If we know some of the names why not all of them?  They should all be treated the same, as cheaters!  Release the list and let's finally move on.

Another Steroid Bum

Last week baseball player Manny Ramirez retired rather than face a 100-game suspension for failing another drug test during spring training in which he tested positive for a banned substance.  Just another disgraced athlete on the juice trying to cheat his way to the top.

Barry Bonds Trial Set to Begin March 21st

The infamous trial of former MLB player Barry Bonds is set to start March 21st.  He has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.  A San Francisco U.S. District Court judge has recently ruled that several former and current MLB players will be allowed to testify at this trial and be questioned in regards to their relationships with Greg Anderson, Bond's former trainer.  Innocent until proven guilty but I think the evidence against him and the dramatic size increase in his head and biceps says it all.

The Rocket Feels his own Heat

Roger Clemens indicted by the Feds for perjury.  Clemens faces one count of obstruction, two counts of perjury and three counts of making false statements in his testimony to a Congressional committee in 2008 that he never used performance-enhancing drugs.  Another famous person who probably won't do one day in jail for his crimes.

Any Advantage You Can Get

One week ago Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake accused Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly of cheating.  Blake accused Lilly of winding up several inches in front of the pitching rubber against some right-handed batters to gain an unfair advantage.  Rules state that the pitcher must stay on the rubber during wind up.  Lilly declined an interview after being accused and manager Lou Piniella passed on the questions of Lilly possibly cheating.

MLB Pitcher Edinson Volquez Suspended After Positive PED Test

Major League Baseball suspended Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez last month after he tested positive for a performance enhancing drug.  The drug was not disclosed but Volquez claimed it was a prescription fertility medication he took in the Dominican Republic.  Volquez was an All-Star in 2008 with a 17-6 record and 3.21 ERA but was sidelined last year after seven games due to an arm injury that led to Tommy John surgery.  He will be allowed to serve his suspension while on the DL but will lose his salary during this time.

Mark McGwire's Brother Writes Book on Their PED Use

On Monday, March first Jay McGwire's book "Mark and Me: Mark McGwire and the Truth Behind Baseball's Worst Kept Secret" was supposed to be released.  Mark McGwire's brother Jay discusses their use of performance enhancing drugs (PED).  Mark has said he is so saddened and upset he does not plan to see his brother again.  If anyone has read this yet please let us know what information is brought to light or if any other players are exposed.

McGwire Admits to Steroid Use

After years of speculation and scrutiny from the public, baseball star Mark McGwire finally admits to using steroids.  He admitted to using steroids on occasion throughout the 1990's including his historic 1998 season when he hit a season record 70 home runs.  Check out this CBS news report. Looks like Jose Canseco was right again about the home run fix during the 90's.

Pete Rose and The Hall of Fame

The 2010 MLB Hall of Fame class will be announced in two days and every year that passes without Pete Rose being inducted is ridiculous. Sure he bet on games but he bet on his own team to win. Check out this video which highlights Rose and a few other shady characters from baseball past that have been inducted.


They put Pete Rose on the all century team so I think it's time to let the all-time hits king into the MLB Hall of Fame where he belongs.