Steroid Nation

Rick Majerus to be new Iowa basketball coach?

Update #4: Iowa to name Butler coach (and Coach of the Year) Todd Lickliter as the new head coach.

Update #1 (3/31 @5:45PM): Despite being offered a lifetime supply of burritos, Rick Majerus told the Des Moines Register he is not interested in becoming the Iowa coach.

Cross off Central Florida's coach Kirk Speraw and former Wyoming coach Steve McLain too.

Chris Lowrey has agreed to a 7 year deal with SIU.

Ernie Kent's name is surfacing in the Iowa search.

The DM Register says Lon Kruger out, as well as Mike Montgomery and no Iowa contract with Butler coach Toff Lickliter.

Update #2a (Monday Apr 2) As everyone is reporting Dana Altman appears to be taking the coaching position at Arkansas..pig sooooeeeee.  Former 'Hawg' coach Stan Heath is headed to Univ San Francisco (gee what a 'demotion' ).

Some feel Iowa is looking at Kirk Speraw.

The Nation, in a 'roid raged manifesto says this:

1.  Mike Brey (Notre Dame), or Al Skinner (BC), unless either one would have problems going to a football school.

2.  Mark Turgeon (Wichita State), if and only if fellow J-Hawk Danny Manning come with.

3.  Reggie Theus, but only if he fails the Steve Alford Personality Inventory.

Update #3: The Des Moines register say Iowa will have a coach in the next 24 hours.  We talked to someone who 'heard' but can't remember.  'Maybe a 't' in the name.  Maybe "Theus, Turgeon, or Todd Lickliter".

Five time swim gold medal winner -Ian Thorpe- tests for high testosterone

In what was described as 'shocking' 5 time gold medal winner, Australian swimmer, and anti-doping spokesman Ian Thorpe reportedly tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. The obvious answer: he was doping on the anabolic steroid.

Story in the Times-Colonist of Canada.  Further incredulous Aussie reaction from NBC News.  Australian press doesn't feel this is in character.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- The swimming world was rocked by a report today that five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe showed "abnormal levels" of two banned substances in a doping test six months before he retired. Australian swim officials said they only got word of the "adverse finding" after it was reported by the French sports daily L'Equipe. Thorpe was notified shortly afterward by the head coach of the national team, Alan Thompson.

The Prime Minister of Australia jumped to Thorpe's defense:

The case quickly became front-page news in Australia, where Thorpe is one of the country's most recognizable athletes -- even in retirement.

Prime Minister John Howard quickly weighed in to support the ex-swimmer, an outspoken foe of performance-enhancing drugs during his career.

"I don't intend to react to, let alone endorse, unsubstantiated allegations in a French newspaper," Howard said.

Weird report as Thorpe is retired.  He has settled into a Hollywood lifestyle of a glamor boy.

The Australian anti-doping agency is attempting to clarify this report.

Signature Pharmacy pimping in female doctors

According to a businessman who pleaded guilty (?to fraud) a Florida man involved with Internet sleaze Signature Pharmacy says the firm sold access to a female Doctor.  For $10,000.  That's pretty good pimp juice.  Story in the Albany TImes-Union.

Signature is one Internet drug shop that sold steroids and HGH over the web to 'unsuspecting' athletes.  The paper quotes an Albany investigator:

"Peterson blows the lid off the fact that Signature not only knew what the doctors were doing, but actually were providing doctors for these clinics," Baynes said outside court. In exchange for a deal that will keep him out of prison, Peterson has agreed to cooperate with investigators. He had faced a maximum potential penalty of 1 /3 to 4 years in prison for his guilty plea to a felony count of criminal diversion of a prescription medication.

The Times continues:

The Times Union learned this week that an employee of another wellness center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., also told investigators he'd paid an official at Signature Pharmacy $10,000 in cash for access to a doctor willing to approve pre-written prescriptions for steroids. The employee has not been charged with a crime and is cooperating with authorities, his attorney told the newspaper.

10,000 is pretty good pimp money.   The doc better be good.

That company allegedly employed Dr. Claire Godfrey, a Florida physician who was indicted with several other doctors in New York and Florida.

Mitchell probe on steroids

Former Senator George Mitchell announced that he will begin player interviews in his MLB anabolics probe.  He also states that the probe is going forward, and perhaps faster than expected.

From the New York Post:

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell has asked to start player interviews as part of his steroids probe and expects to complete his investigation in the "coming months."  On the eve of the first anniversary of his appointment, Mitchell said yesterday evidence-gathering has been slowed by legal issues.

What could those 'legal issues be?  Something like any player involved in PED use doesn't wish to speak to Mitchell's non-governmental investigation.  Without the power of subpoena, this probe is likely to have the impact of .180 hitter with the bases loaded.

Nonetheless, Mitchell will persist in his at-bat.

"None of these obstacles will prevent me from completing the investigation, but they have affected the time required to do so," he said in a three-paragraph statement issued in response to questions posed by the Associated Press. "Other work remains, but I hope and expect that I will be able to complete the investigation in the coming months."

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced Mitchell's hiring on March 30, 2006. Mitchell's staff has been at spring training camps talking with management personnel; his investigators have not interviewed active players yet, union general counsel Michael Weiner said yesterday.

Cardinals keeping Mark McGwire statue, like MLB steroid policy, in the dark

Mark McGwire stays hidden away in Southern California.  A huge bronze statue the St. Louis Cardinals commissioned to honor McGwire stays hidden in Missouri.  Will either come out to see daylight?  Story here in the Lexington Ledger-Independent.

In the warm afterglow of McGwire's great 70 home run season, his team, the Cardinals commissioned Missouri sculptor Harry Weber to design, plan, and execute a bronze statue of the slugger, in honor of his incredible home run tally.  Whatever the Cardinal's plans, the sculpture hides somewhere in a St. Louis warehouse, gathering dust, not accolades.

The Cardinals commissioned the statue after McGwire hit 70 homers in 1998, obliterating Roger Maris' 37-year-old record. There's a place set aside for it alongside other mini-monuments to Cardinals legends outside Busch Stadium.

The Cardinal brass say things are under control.  McGwire gets into the Hall of Fame, the bronze behemoth gets placed outside Busch.

Cardinals president Mark Lamping said team policy is that statues are reserved for Hall of Famers whose numbers have been retired. An exception is Kenny Boyer's No. 14, retired in 1984 even though he did not make it to the Hall.

"It really isn't something we need to even worry about at this point because his number is not retired," Lamping said. "If you look at the past and use that as your guide, retiring a jersey would be the guide

However, Weber, the sculpture worries.  Obviously times have changed for McGwire, now with the steroids controversy.  McGwire, eligible for the HOF vote last year, received a mid-20% vote snub.  It's anyone's guess how that vote will go in the future.

"(McGwire in the Hall of Fame) was the biggest slam-dunk in the history of the world," Weber said.

That all changed in 2005 when McGwire was evasive in testimony to Congress regarding steroid use in baseball. Baseball didn't ban steroids until after the 2002 season for players with major league contracts.

Weber vividly remembers watching McGwire's testimony, knowing the fate of his sculpture might be hanging in the balance

"My feet started to sweat and I had to leave the room," Weber said.                   

All this steroid madness reaches into the way we honor our heros.  McGwire without juice (if he took 'roids) would h ave likely hit 500 home runs.  Seventy in one year though?  The ball was juiced, the pitching depleted, so maybe.

Sad though, the way the recent frenzy trashed memories of McGwire.  A sports writer has proposed amnesty given to sluggers who fess up to anabolic use.  We advocated McGwire come completely honest about use.  Lay the chips on the table for all to see.  This state of murky confusion isn't going to help anyone, not voters, not fans, not the players themselves.

Get the truth out there so future fans know if players used or not.  The American public understands and forgives flaws.  The Nation suspects the HOF voters would take 5-10% off the top of the home run totals then re-examine a sluggers  career. 

Get the McGwire statue out in daylight where it belongs. Don't hide the work in a dark corner of an unknown, which is the MLB handles the steroid issue.

Featured

Stanford/Seattle farm system baseball player Chris Minaker discusses Cardinal features of steroid use

Steroid Nation covers alot of fluff.  Lighthearted, interesting stories.  This story isn't one of them.  This is a serious thinker with very good ideas.

The Seattle Times carries a story about former Stanford Cardinal, current Seattle Mariner farmhand Chris Minaker.  He played baseball at Stanford, so this is a guy with some brawn, and some brain.  He used his brain at Stanford, as a sociology major, to study steroid use among college athletes.

The well-spoken, 23-year-old infielder from Lynnwood graduated last June with a master's degree in sociology from Stanford University, achieving a perfect score on an 86-page thesis about the social pressures athletes face to take performance-enhancing drugs.

"If the need for steroids is broken down by sport, it becomes clear that baseball has the biggest problem with steroids," Minaker writes, citing results of a confidential, written survey he took of 91 male varsity athletes at Stanford. "It is also baseball that has had the most well-publicized steroid problem of all of the professional team sports. It seems that the problem of the professional ranks has trickled down into the collegiate ranks.

Minaker studied Stanford varsity athletes:

His sample size is admittedly small, with nine of 89 athletes who answered the survey question on steroids admitting they took them — five of those being baseball players. He also points out, in an appendix to the research, that the Stanford football team was largely uncooperative with the survey and "remains shrouded in secrecy" about its supplement usage.

This is good stuff, (not 'groundbeaking' as the Times hype puts it, but good).

But this is still groundbreaking work, done by an "insider" and hardly the type of endeavor typically pursued by active players. Minaker says he was merely intrigued why so many of his fellow athletes took nutritional supplements, including protein powder, amino acids, creatine and — yes — steroids, without really knowing what they were putting into their bodies.

The following statements are insightful, reasoned pieces of inductive thinking.  In other words, impressive.

"I looked at the social pressure to use and the perceived effectiveness of the supplements," Minaker said. "People were most likely to use supplements when told to by two or more of the strongest influences in their life."

Teammates exerted the strongest external pressure by far, he said, followed by coaches. A coach, he writes, "can attempt to use his power to pressure his players into using supplements that he thinks will improve their performance, even if this is against the will of the player." Minaker found that the pressure athletes felt to use supplements, both from within and from external forces, was so great that they'd take products they had no proof even worked...

"In this study, it seems that every athlete is or has been on something," Minaker writes. "The supplement culture has become completely intertwined with the culture of collegiate sports, just as it had before with professional sports. There has been a trickle-down effect from professional sports right on down to the ranks of all athletic levels."

Minaker hit .137, with 4 HRs, and 17 RBIs last year at Wisconsin.  He also has scholarship money waiting for him when his baseball career is over.

Considering at his initiative and his cognitive skills, this guy has a future in medical school, law school, or a graduate program.  Very impressive.

Voice from the past: Denny McLain sounds off on steroids and the Hall of Fame

Winning 30 games in a single season gets you credibility, as Denny McLain blogs about the anabolic steroid crisis in relationship to the baseball Hall of Fame.

Denny McLain was the last Major League pitcher to win 30 or more games in a season, for the Detroit Tigers in 1968. He won both the MVP and Cy Young awards that year. McLain wrote the forthcoming book called I Told You I Wasn’t Perfect, with Eli Zaret.

ESPN also tells us the late Bowie Kuhn suspended McLain for bookmaking.  McLain spent time in prison for racketeering, extortion and narcotics and again for financial fraud.  Troubled, as we would say.

McLain weighs in on steroid (anabolic) use in Britanica Blogs (I apologize for missing this link earlier).  McLain indicts the trainers, managers, and owners for promoting drug treatments.  Although an athlete should take personal responsibility for his actions, I agree with McLain that management looks the other way.  I agree that we in medicine promote the 'better living through polypharmacy' attitude.

Forever in baseball (and I assume in other professional sports as well), the managers, coaches, trainers, and especially the team doctors would impress upon us athletes that this pill or that pill will increase blood flow to your injury, or this injection would start the healing process. We went for everything back then and were never told of the evils that lurked beneath the injections of cortisone or the harm that the magic pills and liquid concoctions could cause later in life. We were morons! It was emphatically impressed upon us that the team was much more important than your injury. Win one for the Gipper!

The former Tiger also says MLB management looks the other way:

And don’t forget—this is key—that baseball ownership purposely looked the other way until the much maligned Canseco forced them to face their hypocrisy in the face of governmental intervention. Bud Selig and company can pretend to be outraged, but he and his henchmen weren’t blind. No, they liked the big muscles and home runs and cared no more about the welfare of their players than they did in my day.

McLain believes players should take a polygraph test (of which he MUST be familiar, being expert in the jurisprudence system)

The Hall was supposed to be for playing accomplishments only, but now we have the electorate judging character. And in that case there are a lot of players who should come out of the Hall. How about the bad apples like Ty Cobb? And there are likely racist owners and managers in the Hall as well–should they be?

That’s a larger issue. But here’s a way to deal with the steroid users: Have everyone take a polygraph test. If you fail, you’re out; and publish the results. Then we’ll see how many players want to get into the Hall.

McLain then ends with some moral lessons. 

Otherwise, if Barry Bonds gets in, then Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Pudge Rodriguez and Rafael Palmiero and anyone else who has credentials has to get in.  And if these guys get in under the suspicion that they cheated the game and their ability, then is betting on games the way Pete Rose did really that bad in comparison? Pete bet on his Reds to win depending on who was pitching, but the steroid freaks benefited from the effects of their drugs every game.

The message that these players have given our kids and grandkids is to disregard fair play for personal gain. And sadly, the steroid monster is never going to disappear. The chemists are always a step ahead of the steroid police in terms of disguising newly created concoctions.

In looking at exclusionary criteria for the MLB HOF, The Nation believes that the Pete Rose betting situation is different from PED use, and thus should not be linked.  If baseball doesn't admit players based on bad behavior --and betting on teams is about as threatening to the integrity of the game as it gets-- then that is the arbitrary rule without debate.

The PED use question is different.  Does the use of illegal PEDs (not banned throughout history, but illegal) disqualify an athlete's records? 

We are not going to answer that  question succinctly here.  However, McLain is correct about precedent.  Once the precedent is set by allowing one steroid user in the Hall, then the door is open to all PED users.

Steroid Briefs

1.  WADA is doing a great job stopping doping, if it says so itself.  Reuters.

2.  Women who eat more of beef produce sons with low sperm count.  The Austin Statesman.  Obviously this is linked to the amount of anabolic steroids given to beef to increase muscle size and market value. Your mother made your sperm count low by eating all those McDonald's cheeseburgers.

3. News TV 8 Austin says Texas high schools are developing a plan for steroid testing.  First offense, 30 day suspension.

4. Huge HGH bust in Finland.  24,800 vials of growth hormone from 2 vans.  That is going to really hurt MLB over the next couple months...

5.  Other states keeping an eye on New Jersey steroid testing in high school athletes.

Top minor league hitter had 2 suspensions for steroids

From the Altoona News comes the story of Randy Ruiz, minor league player in now the Philly system.  Dude can hit, but suspended twice for violation of the steroid policy.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Randy Ruiz will have to answer the questions for the rest of his career.

Questions concerning steroids and suspensions...

There’s no question Ruiz can hit. He’s a monster at the plate who can carry an offense, and he’s been one of the most feared sluggers in the Eastern League the past two seasons.

The steroid suspensions hold him back from advancing up the baseball ranks.  That and maybe honesty.

The 29-year-old Ruiz also may be the most accomplished hitter in all of baseball who has never played above Double-A. The reason almost certainly has something to do with the stigma surrounding his past.

What Ruiz hopes to leave in the past are his two suspensions for violating baseball’s drug policy.

The first baseman was caught using a banned substance late in the 2004 season at Single-A Lakewood and sat out the first 15 games of 2005 with Reading.

When Ruiz joined the R-Phils, he put together a massive season. He was contending for the EL’s triple crown — leading the circuit in hitting (.356) and RBIs (84) and tying for the top spot in homers (25) — when a second failed steroids test cost him a 30-game suspension in late July of 2005.

‘‘I’m innocent,’’ he told readingphillies.com at the time.

Ruiz’s agent confirmed to the Reading Eagle that his client had tested positive for the steroid Stanozolol, the same substance that sprinter Ben Johnson was caught using when he won — and was later stripped of — a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics...

There’s every reason to believe Ruiz could be very good for the Curve this season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is a .301 career hitter who has belted 55 homers and driven in 179 runs in 214 games over the past two years.

This guy has great numbers.  If he can stay off the juice he might be able to move up toe AAA baseball.  He returned to Reading this year for more.

Human Growth Hormone --HGH-- implicated in Anna Nicole Smith death, by autopsy report

Incredible as it sounds, the autopsy and toxicology report on the deceased Anna Nicole Smith (Vickie Lynn Marshall) contained evidence of HGH use.  Autopsy report here. CNN report on toxicology results here.

The Broward County medical examiner attributed the death to chloral hydrate in combination with the other sundry drugs (mostly  sedatives).  We are not sure we buy this totally.  The doses of metabolites of chloral hydrate were high (as indicated by the autopsy report), however chloral hydrate is rarely fatal.  It is possible the incredible combination of sedatives contributed to her death.

The Nation wonders about the role of HGH.  HGH is generally under-estimated as an agent of morbidity and mortality.  Smith's autopsy report indicated  discoloration of the heart, as well as a small area of myocardial infarction (!).  The autopsy did not report cardiac hypertrophy (enlarged) which would argue against HGH implicated in a cardiac death.

However, Smith clearly exhibited numerous injection sites, abscesses from previous injections, and other evidence of chronic HGH use.  At the least, these abscesses contributed to her demise via septicemia (blood infection).

During the course of the autopsy, filed under Smith's given name of Vickie Lynn Marshall, doctors found evidence that Smith had an abscess in her left buttock that had been perforated by a needle, probably when she took injections of either the growth hormone or vitamin B-12, the medical examiner explained. The perforation allowed bacteria to get into Smith's blood, which caused a high fever in the days before her death.

Drugs discovered in Smith's autopsy also include:

Therapeutic drugs:
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, an antihistamine)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin, anti-seizure drug, also used for panic attacks)
• Diazepam (Valium, used to treat anxiety)
• Nordiazepam (metabolite, produced in digestion of diazepam)
• Temazepam (metabolite, also produced during digestion of diazepam)
• Oxazepam (used to treat anxiety)
• Lorazepam (Ativan, used to treat anxiety)

Other drugs:
• Atropine (a drug used in resuscitation)
• Topiramate (Topomax, used to treat seizures, migraines, and sometimes
used as weight control drug)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, an antibiotic)
• Acetaminophen (like Tylenol)
And HGH

Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Smith's body showed multiple signs of plastic surgery including old breast implants, and piercing.  Of interest for The Nation would be the evidence of chronic and acute IM (intramuscular) drug abuse.  This evidence consists of scars, old abscesses, and new active ?sterile or infectious abscesses.

The breasts implants and HGH contribute to superficial appearance, often with serious side effects.  As we posted yesterday, breast augmentation is on an incredible upswing in the US.  Athletes and the youth culture likewise use large amounts of HGH, including the recent spate of athletes linked to HGH use.

The serious side effects of HGH are unappreciated by most phsycians and users.

Where are they now: Tony Mandarich in glamor photography

Coming out of Michigan State, Tony Mandarich was a big deal. Packerville, USA documents this well.  Mandarich was 6-5/6-6, 305-310, and lighting quick.  Now, the big ex-lineman takes his shots of models, and not of 'roids or at D-linemen.  New book out soon, too ("launching a tell-all memoir about his NFL career, rumored steroid use, and more in early 2008"). (Updated data here: Mandarich reveals steroid and narcotics use)

 “He’s the best college football player I’ve ever seen... this kid is better than Anthony Munoz.”
— Tom Boisture, N.Y. Giants

“Maybe the fastest offensive tackle in history... and just maybe the best.”
— San Diego GM Steve Ortmayer

The Toronto Sun also carried a story on Mandarich when he retired.

On the wall there is a framed No. 79 Michigan State Spartans jersey from the 1988 Rose Bowl, a framed Indianapolis Colts jersey he wore from 1996-98 and a blowup photo of the 1989 Sports Illustrated cover that hailed him as "The Incredible Bulk."

Noteworthy by their absence, however, is the Green Bay Packers uniform he wore mostly in shame for parts of three seasons and the other SI cover, the one that in 1992 derided him as "The Incredible Bust."

Mandarich signed for 4.4 million a year, huge money then for a rookie NFL lineman.  He struggled with strength and power, which started rumors that he quit steroids, resulting in a drastic drop off in performance.

The Packers, who had paid him $4.4 million US for four years, had seen enough. After his final season -- in which he didn't even play because of a parasitic infection that sapped his strength -- Green Bay decided to cut its losses.

He was traded to the Colts...

Tom Zupancic, now vice-president of business development for the Colts but then the team's strength coach, remembers when Mandarich walked into the weight room in 1996.

"I didn't put much stock in what I heard and read until I met the guy," Zupancic said in a phone interview. "What struck me was how calm and committed he was. He never took a step backward."

Mandarich's three years in Indy, mostly as a starter, were quiet. There were no Pro Bowls, no dominating performances.

But there was a steady starting job and few critics. When Peyton Manning came into the league in 1998, it was Mandarich's role to protect him. Tony the Terrible was now a calming influence.

Was Mandarich a steroid  user?

 Virtually every interview he has done, Mandarich has been asked if he was a user. Every time he has denied it.

"It bothered me, but I wasn't the first player they said that about and I wasn't the last," said Mandarich, who had to pass a drug test before the Colts would sign him. "But you know what, that was magnified by me and my big mouth. It made the snowball get bigger.

"I can't tell you how many drug tests I have taken in the NCAA, in (scouting combines) in Bowl games, in the NFL and I've never tested positive for anything."

He doesn't deny using supplements. And he doesn't deny being a workout freak. But steroids? No.

Where is Mandarich now?  A press release says that Mandarich and wife Cher are opening a photography biz - Mandarich Photography.

The large unit also announces a portfolio of glamor shots:

Mandarich Models...
the Edgy, Dynamic, Glamor Division of Mandarich Photography

Link to Model shoot video

That portfolio is strong work!

Featured

Bonds took Sheffield to a 'new level'

The Detroit Freep continues to dribble out bits of Gary Sheffield's Pulitzer-prize quality book Inside Power (stories here and here).  The latest leaks concern Barry Bond's salesman like promises to Shef.

On training with Barry Bonds:

After the 2001 season, just before my trade to the Braves, Barry invited me to San Francisco to train with him.

"Train with me, bro," Barry said, "and I'll take you to a new level. I can add years to your career. It's all about longevity."

Barry needed to be in control -- that was the main thing. ... Bonds took control to a whole new level. I wanted to tell Bonds about my usual training routine.

On BALCO:

(Bonds) told me he wanted a guy named Victor Conte, head of a company called BALCO, to give me vitamins based on my specific needs. I went along with it. Conte gave the vitamins to Greg Anderson, Barry's personal weight trainer, who gave them to me.

He was telling me I needed to do heavy squats, in spite of my recent knee surgery. "The squats will strengthen your knees."

I thought I could manage the weight. My legs have always been powerful. On the last set, though, as I gave it my all, I heard something pop.

My surgical stitches popped out.

"No problem," said Anderson. "We'll get some cream that'll heal you up in a hurry."

I went to the doctor to check with him. My understanding was that the cream was not that different from the Neosporin you buy at Rite Aid. Only it worked quicker.

It did work fast. It healed me in about a week.

However, as Baseball etc. points out, Shef could be a potent witness, if sworn in, against Bonds in the BALCO investigation.

Tyler Hamilton's long lost chimera twin found in endzone of Giant's Stadium

Yes, it is finally reported that Tyler Hamilton's long lost chimera twin has been discovered.  Intial report in Nature News.

Researchers have discovered a pair of twins who are identical through their mother's side, but share only half their genes on their father's side.

The 'semi-identical' twins are the result of two sperm cells fusing with a single egg -- a previously unreported way for twins to come about, say the team that made the finding. The twins are chimaeras, meaning that their cells are not genetically uniform. Each sperm has contributed genes to each child.

In his award winning excuse(in the 'lame but creative' category) as this NYT article points out, Hamilton blamed his doping problems on his chimera twin.   Apparently relying on a scientific adviser, Hamilton said the extra EPO was from his chimera twin who died.  No one (with sense) bought it.

In other words, his scientific expert argued, Mr. Hamilton had a twin that died in utero but, before dying, contributed some blood cells to him during fetal life. And those cells remained in his body, producing blood that matched the dead twin and not Mr. Hamilton. Or perhaps it was his mother's blood that got mixed in during fetal life.

But there you go: a chimera twin.  Will Tyler push for a recall? 

Stallone Rambo IV pics

First pics of Sylvester Stallone as Rambo IV found here at at Flynetonline.com.

As you know, Stallone has further court appearance for HGH in Australia coming up.   The Nation published these Stallone stories in the past.

Impressive vascularity in the photo.  Would only HGH promote veins like this?

Bigger breasts, bigger muscles, bigger ego?

A new study looking at women's self esteem before and after breast surgery here, and discussed here.  Nothing like new fake breasts to enhance the bust and inflate the self esteem.

Cynthia Figueroa-Haas studied women before and after cosmetic breast surgery.  2.1 million women in 2005 decided bigger was better then enhanced their mammillaries.  This study at the University of Florida investigated the psychological outcome.

Figueroa-Haas studied 84 women who were 21 to 57 years old, assessing their perceptions of self-esteem and sexuality before and after cosmetic breast augmentation. Study participants had been previously scheduled for breast augmentation and were undergoing the procedure solely for cosmetic purposes. Eligible candidates were mailed a consent form, a demographic questionnaire and pre-tests asking them to rate their self-esteem and sexuality. They were then mailed a similar post-test two to three months after the surgery.

Improvements in the women’s self-esteem and sexual satisfaction were directly correlated with having undergone breast augmentation. Figueroa-Haas used two widely accepted scientific scales to measure self-esteem and sexuality, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index, which assesses domains of sexual function, such as sexual arousal, satisfaction, experience and attitudes.

Patrick Barrett, a grad student at Florida, doesn't like the bigger is better mentality:

First of all, the second round of analyses was done three months after the surgery. I wonder how the scores might change after a year or two, once the initial satisfaction wears off. Secondly - and much more importantly - if your self-esteem depends on how you look, then breast implants are only treating the symptom, not the cause, of low self-esteem.

Further, there is the guy who wants larger muscles for his self-esteem.  He takes anabolic steroids:

Imagine a guy named Steve. Steve feels bad about himself because he has little string-bean muscles. He decides that he'll feel better if he looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger, so he starts taking steroids. If you have trouble imagining Steve, take a walk around the weight room at the Southwest Recreation Center.

Barrett has hit upon Body Dysmorphic Disorder (in a way).  In men the Adonis Syndrome (muscle dysmorphia)  In women, mammillary dysmorphia? (and here)

Hey if it gets you a job at Hooters (awful plastic surgery), or a shot at Hank Aaron's home run record, how can it be bad?  Or in Barry Bond's case, double good.

The war against steroids in high school

Several reports on steroids in high school students and athletes:

1. The New York Times asks if there is testing is the answer to deterring steroid use in  high school athletes.

2.  In Houston the Chronicle asks if steroid testing in Texas will be implemented soon.

3.  Florida investigators discover teen steroid use.  Many of these drugs synthesized in China.

4. Maryland schools beef up their anti-steroid policies.

5. Pennsylvania high schools doing same.

Baseball players no longer admired?

The LA Times looks at a list of most admired athletes. Tiger Woods tops the list, as Superbowl king Peyton Manning finishes second.  MLB players?  Derek Jeter pulls down #4.  Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez finished in a tie for the last spot with guys whose names we don't recognize.  The suggestion is that 'roids took the luster off the MLB ball.

Baseball sags: Is the national pastime past its time, or has the steroids scandal scarred the sport irreparably? Derek Jeter (No. 4) was the only baseball player to crack the top 20. The only other baseball players in the top 28 were Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez, who finished in a tie for the last spot with Teemu Selanne, Phil Mickelson, Vince Young and Lance Armstrong — each with one first-place vote.

Another one gone: Albany man dies of apparent steroid OD

To add an exclamation mark on Albany DA David Soares foray into Internet anabolics, an Albany citizen succumbed to apparent steroid OD (although there will not be an autopsy; weird because in the case of suspicious deaths the legal authorities can and should order an autopsy). 

The Nation wrote and earlier piece about young Pete Kennedy in intensive care in Albany.  The young man had no history of medical problems.  He suddenly collapsed, then was admitted to a hospitla intensive care unit with mutiple organ failure.  Numerous anabolic steroid vials were found in his home-made workout area.

Kennedy died.  Story here in the New York News.

Barb Kennedy was supposed to pick him up the next morning, never imagining the heartache to come; that her only son would have his healthy body ravaged by steroid use, that he would become the nation's latest chemically enhanced tragedy - a young man who just wanted to be big and buff, and wound up in the ground...

Could there be a more improbable person to intersect with the burgeoning investigation into Internet steroid trafficking being conducted by David Soares, the Albany County district attorney? A less likely face of an orbit of steroid use that has nothing to do with home-run records or Olympic gold medals - but rather with a simple desire to bulk up?

The News piece documents Kennedy's obsession with working out, his sudden calamitous health collapse and ICU admission, then the discovery of anabolic steroids in his possessions.  A sobering decent into catastrophic illness and death.

You paying attention Gene Upshaw?

 

No 'witch hunts': Gene Upshaw firm that only positive blood tests will boot NFL players

NFL Players Association boss Gene Upshaw says no positive test, no steroid problem.  Despite other evidence.

Upshaw responded to questions regarding the recent Operation Netroids busts, where players names link to Internet pharmacies, however without positive blood tests. Story in the Charlotte Observer.

As the NFL awaits information from law enforcement officials that could incriminate players as having illegally obtained steroids and human growth hormone over the Internet, players association executive director Gene Upshaw says he won't endorse suspending players unless they tested positive.

"We are not going to get into a witch hunt," he told the Observer in an e-mail.

Upshaw responded to inquires following comments by WADA's Dick Pound suggesting athletes linked to Netroids require consequences.

Pound questioned Upshaw's commitment to anti-doping.

"If he wanted his sport and the NFL to be drug-free, he would not say that," Pound said in an e-mail. "It's an either-or situation: Either he wants drug-free football or he does not."

Upshaw hammered back at Pound. We ain't listening to no WADA talk.

Upshaw rejected World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Richard Pound's suggestion that the league should "absolutely" be prepared to discipline any players linked to an Albany, N.Y.-based case if the evidence is reliable and credible, regardless of whether the players involved tested positive.

"We will not let WADA determine how we operate our program," Upshaw said. "We discipline only for a positive test...."WADA can say whatever they like; the players in the NFL have both a union and a collective bargaining agreement."

(more after the jump, but an editorial comment here).  The reduction of steroid use (or sports doping) to simply catching a player with anabolic floating around his bloodstream at that point in time is reductionist to the point of ridiculousness.  The fight against drug-cheating then becomes law enforcement, which is one dimensional and almost futile.  The tests are incomplete for many anabolics, as well as predictable, and easily defeated.  Tests currently detect anabolic steroids, amphetamines, clen, and some anti-estrogens, and diuretics.  Tests do not detect HGH. IGF, insulin, and short acting steroids.

The NFL needs much broader thinking, and a broader effort to combat drug-cheating.   A player should sign an honesty clause that states he recognizes consequences occur with a positive test, or a link to doping such as prescriptions, or eye-witness detailing.  Then let due process occur.

Ultimately Upshaw's stance will lead to a pro-wrestling sort of NFL.  An escalating drug race will cause greater use of anabolics.  Players will suffer consequences, even as the physiques reach superhuman size.  The NFL will take on a cartoonish look, which may attract fans to games, to see the behemoths colloid.  Deaths and serious injuries at some point will bring the league back to earth.

Right now, Upshaw's stance is narrow-minded and obstructionist.  If the players are honest, they have little to fear from a witch-hunt.

Dwain Chambers football skills: All speed, no catch

Steroid Nation follows the career of Dwain Chambers with some interest.  Chambers, a world class sprinter form  UK, found himself caught up in BALCO, using THG.  Consequences included fines, and a several  year banishment from track and field.

Chambers decided to become a football player; American football.  He trained and tried out for NFL Europe.  Following camps in Europe and Florida, Chambers 'caught' on with the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL-Europe.  Story here in the UK's Telegraph.  It appears Chambers struggles catching the football.

Dwain Chambers' new job title is wide receiver for the Hamburg Sea Devils, and therein lies the problem. The 'wide' part he can handle, using his speed to evade opposing corner backs and find open space on the flanks, but receiving is a different story. As Jack Bicknell, Hamburg's veteran head coach, put it: "If he could catch the ball consistently he could go to the NFL. But he just can't catch it."...

"We know about his speed. His problem is catching the ball. I've seen improvement. I can't put him in a game yet but he's really working hard. It's all new for him and he's a bit bewildered. He's got a lot more work to do."

NFL-Europe's season starts in April.  The teams carry a maximum of 8 Americans;  Hamburg sports 11 Yanks right now.  Might Chambers be in jeopardy of not making the team roster?  His athleticism and speed may be worth the risks of his rawness.  Without playing even  one American football game, Chambers is on the verge of making a pro roster.  Amazing.

Can Chambers take hits?

Last Tuesday, when his team were pitted against Cologne in a practice session, Chambers had his first taste of full-contact play. With players' careers at stake, the intensity was at times ferocious, though Chambers was relieved to avoid the crunching tackles that go with the territory of a wide receiver.

"I'm expecting to have some big hits but at the same time I know my speed is going to get me out of a lot of trouble," he said.

Chambers remind The Nation of another track project who played with the San Francisco 49ers - Renaldo Nehemiah.  Nehemiah, a world class 110 hurdler stuck with the 49ers for a couple y ears, however his lack of catching ability eventually ended  his NFL days.

However, the 'World's Fastest Human', Olympic 100M winner Bob Hayes played a number of effective years for the Dallas Cowboys.  A track star can 'catch' on  in football.

 

Confirmed: Pakistan cricket coach murdered

Newspapers following the World Cup cricket games in Jamaica confirm that controversial Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer was murdered (SLAM, Canada).  Various stories indicate an arrest was made, that there may be multiple perpetrators (iol.co.sa), and that Woolmer was going to write a book documenting the team's many problems.

An on-going problem was the on-again, off-again steroid suspension for 2 of Pakistan's best cricket players.  An excellent review is carried in theage.com.au.   Could a game-fixing ring be responsible for the coach's murder?  Was it related to the steroid scandal?  The cricket world faces a dirty scandal at the heart of this seamy episode.  Welcome to the world of prefessional sports.

Baseball HOFer Wade Boggs to induct Curt Hennig to pro wrestling hall of fame

In a happening soaked with irony, former MLB great Wade Boggs will introduce his deceased friend Curt Hennig – a.k.a. Mr. Perfect, into the WWE 'Hall of Fame'. Link at HOF.com.

Boggs is the great MLB hitter and MLB Hall of Famer with a serious flaw -- sex addiction.  Boggs traveled with his mistress during his baseball career.  Not only that, he planned on blackmailing his teammates to keep his affair a secret.

Boggs friend, Curt Hennig was a WWF pro wrestler, who died at age 44 of cocaine, and allegedly steroids (as so many pro wrestlers).

Boggs and Hennig met in 1983 in Rochester, New York and maintained a close friendship for many years. They often enjoyed hunting and fishing trips together, and on one occasion Boggs credits Hennig with saving his life. During a hunting trip in 2001, Boggs became entangled in a barbed wire fence and badly lacerated his leg. Hennig carried the injured Boggs a mile to their truck and transported him to the hospital.

While Boggs gives the induction speech for Hennig, the wrestler's father will be speaking on his behalf accepting the award. Curt Hennig died in February 2003 at the age of 44 before a wrestling bout scheduled for that day.

While the friendship is genuine, the story contains ironic twists.

The Tampa Coroner's office and the Tampa Medical Examiner's office declared acute cocaine intoxication the official cause of his death. His father, wrestler Larry "The Axe" Hennig, claimed a lethal combination of steroids and painkillers contributed to his death.

Thus Wade Boogs, not exactly a spokesman for integrity in major league baseball, inducts a steroid user into the bogus wrestling hall of fame.  This occurs at a time when baseball looks like an anabolic-tainted mess.  While The Nation appreciates the bond of friendship here, it is not without noting the irony in the story. This irony represents what plagues professional sports:  dishonesty, covertness, drug-cheating, and unhealthy consequences.

Too much moral outrage for a cloudy Saturday?

Happenings at Reid House

Sons of Philadelphia Eagle coach Andy Reid waived formal readings in their legal cases, at the same time as their father returned to work (Baltimore Sun).  This means the Reid boys plead 'not guilty' to charges.  Trials will be scheduled in the future.

The Times-Herald reports that Garrett Reid is charged with possession of narcotics as well as anabolic steroids and the weight-loss drug phentermine (among other things):

Garrett Reid allegedly is responsible for the Jan. 30 two-car accident in Plymouth that resulted in injuries suffered by the other motorist, 55-year-old Harrisburg-area resident Louise Hartman, according to the criminal complaint...

Following the collision, Garrett Reid was found to be in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, according to the complaint.

Garrett Reid is charged with misdemeanor criminal charges that include driving under the influence of drugs, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, four charges of drug possession (one count each of possessing heroin, amphetamine, phentermine and testosterone, an anabolic steroid) and two charges of possessing drug paraphernalia (both heroin and steroid paraphernalia). 

Garrett Reid also is charged with summary traffic offenses including driving through a red light, speeding, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving.

Garrett Reid, who entered a drug rehabilitation program, is free on $25,000 unsecured bail.

Garrett Reid entered a rehab program.  Thank goodness.  That is quite a cache of steroids and weight-loss drugs.  Wonder if being around pro athletes had anything to do with the substances discovered in his possession?  Again, we look at the sons of athletic (or coaching ) fathers.  Chance or connection?  (And wishing the Reid's the best of luck in getting past these troubles.)

   

WWE: steroids, premature death, and women in dental floss and tuperware

An Orlando sportscaster body slammed wrestling mogal Vince McMahon.

Yesterday Vince McMahon and his wrestling circus announced some kind of wrestle mania in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl.  During the press conference, a question came up about the recent anabolic/steroid news about pro wrestlers. Local 6 in Orlando reports (with video):

"I don't think it sends a negative message," McMahon said. "It would be one thing if that were brought out and promoted in our events and things of that nature. We are talking about a minority of individuals that do things like this and you are going to find it everywhere."

Then McMahon chastised the reporters, according to the sports anchor:

After the interview, McMahon said bringing up the subject of performance-enhancing drugs at the event was in poor taste, Lewis reported.

Which led to these classic on-air comments by the sports director:

"Vince, you have your employees dying prematurely due to health problems from steroid use, you send women out to wrestle in dental floss with more silicon in their body than a Tupperware convention and you are going to lecture people about poor taste?" Lewis said. "Make sure you Windex that glass house you live in before throwing those stones, my friend."

Vials found at world swimming championships

Preliminary reports indicate somethings amiss at the world swimming championships in Victoria Aus.  There are reports of a vial found containing an illicit substance.  From the Olympian Online:

MELBOURNE, Australia - Australia's anti-doping agency will test a clear liquid found in a hotel hosting a number of teams in the world swimming championships.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority will use its powers to investigate the clear liquid in the vials, given that the swimming worlds are under way and the hotel is hosting a number of competitors, ASADA spokesman Simon Tidy said today.

A small box containing vials of a clear liquid was found Tuesday in a common room at Melbourne's Parkview Hotel. Police said small traces of illicit drugs were found in the box, but not in the vials.

US Drug Enforcement Report to Congress

The administrator of the DEA reported to the US Congress today.  From her report:

I would like to begin my testimony by sharing two pieces of good news with the Committee: First, teenage drug use is down; and second, DEA is hitting the world’s drug traffickers harder than ever before.

Death in the ring

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle writes an excellent piece today looking at the mortality figures of pro wrestlers.  The article addresses the issue that some in the pro wrestling crowd (the entertainment fans) want to sell anabolic use as a 'personal choice' rather than cheating, or illicit substance abuse.

Significant morbidity and mortality follow these drugs.  Although anabolic steroids likely remain the most popular choice among this group (much bang for the buck) HGH, insulin, anti-estrogens, thyroid hormones, and possibly IGF-1 and other peptides --for the cutting edge crew-- course through the veins of these physical specimens.

Many fans pull statistics out of thin air, making the number of pro-wrestling deaths, all of which are wrong.  Knapp gets it right.

Three years ago, not long after the first indictments were handed up in the BALCO case, USA Today ran an exceptionally thoughtful article about the hazards in pro wrestling. The paper found that 1,000 men younger than 46 had participated in pro wrestling over a seven-year period and that at least 65 of them had died in that time, 25 from some type of coronary disease. The story chronicled widespread steroid use in the ring, plus extensive use of painkillers.

LPGA releases list of banned drugs

As noted in the Casper Star-Tribune today, the Ladies Professional Golf Association begins an anti-doping program this year with the release of their banned list.  Rather than follow the WADA banned list the LPGA developed their own. 

The tour said Wednesday that it will test for 33 anabolic steroids, 29 stimulants and 20 beta-blockers, among other substances. The list is not as comprehensive as the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list, but LPGA Tour general counsel Jill Pilgrim said the tour wanted to target drugs that would enhance golf performance.

The National Center for Drug Free Sport in Kansas City, which handles testing for the NCAA, consulted with the LPGA in defining their banned list.  The tour will not test for HGH because it doesn't appear to be problematic.  The Nation isn't sure any of the anabolic substances are problematic. 

Anabolic steroids would increase strength, however participants on the tour don't sport muscular appearances.  'Stimulants' (we always object to that term) would improve concentration.  'Beta-blockers' decrease tremors, and thus may improve public performance skills (should these medications actually be banned).

It would be an interesting debate to look at various medications.  Why ban a beat-blocker --likely mildly effective in reducing tremor and anxiety-- and not ban a serotonin reuptake inhibitor like Prozac, which could  reduce anxiety and even the 'yips' (obsessive anxiety about putting)?

Some great quotes came from Anmika Sorenstam:

Officials presented the list to players at a meeting Tuesday night. Annika Sorenstam, a member of the tour's drug-testing subcommittee, said she hadn't heard of most of the banned substances.

"I'm not very familiar with any of those substances, and I don't really know what they are other than caffeine (which is not banned) and cocaine, I think," she said. "I have a lot of learning to do. But I think it's an important statement that we're making.

"It's a new era for the LPGA," Sorenstam said. "We're standing behind it." 

Guess who's back: Victor Conte

Guess who's back?  Not Jack Nicholson but that lovable rascal Victor Conte.  Story here at Reuters.

Conte, who positioned himself at the heart of the sophisticated anabolics (steroid) ring called BALCO discusses his motivation.  It wasn't fame, money, or chicks.  It was fun.

"It had nothing to do with money," said Conte, owner of the defunct BALCO lab.

"I was simply having a lot of fun. It was exciting to be in the trenches, to be at these world championships and Olympics and Super Bowls and travel all over the world," he said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

"Some people may view this as being reckless and taking enormous risks, but it was very exciting, it was very fun."

Conte was the founder of BALCO.  Documented in many articles, mostly in the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury, and ultimately in the 'Game of Shadows' by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada, this story will not go away.

Conte mentored Barry Bonds, Romo, Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, and many many others as documented in 'Game'.  Conte, along with Patrick Arnold designed the cream and the clear.  He ultimately was convicted of conspiracy, money laundering and distribution of anabolic steroids.

Conte, 56, said he operated his BALCO lab for 15 years before beginning to deal in steroids, although he says he started using them personally in 1996.

"I made the decision to go down the slippery slope at some point in 1999," he said. "Finally I got to a point where I basically realized that these athletes didn't have a choice."

"I knew there were tremendous risks with it, but it had to do with looking out for the safety of the people that you work with. And knowing that they are going to do it with or without your assistance -- only, without your assistance, they are going to buy it down a dark alley out of the trunk of a car behind a gym somewhere."

Victor Conte, concerned with the athletes, remains a humanitarian at heart.  :-)

BALCO DAs email revealed trouble in the US Justice Dept. Controversy reaches to Attn Gen Alberto Gonzales, Pres advisor Karl Rove and even Pres George W Bush

Law.com adds to the controversy surrounding the dismissal of several US District Attorneys including BALCO AD Kevin Ryan.  Emails between the DAs and the Bush Justice Dept reveal troubles in the halls of power.

By the time he was fired late last year, former San Francisco U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan's stock seemed to have dropped so low among Justice Department officials that even routine communications were met with dismissiveness and sarcasm.

Seems Washington protested the sentencing recommendations Ryan put forth for Victor Conte and his BALCO buddies.  It even got profane.

As early as last March, e-mails show, Justice Department officials were annoyed with Ryan for issuing a press release that crowed about the U.S. Sentencing Commission's new guidelines for steroid offenses -- a pet issue of Ryan's, since he prosecuted the BALCO steroids case.

"After our conversations, I am fairly surprised that you would not consult with me or anyone else in Main Justice before issuing a press release on something that has nothing to do with your office," wrote Michael Elston, an official in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.

When Elston forwarded the message, a longtime DOJ administrator gave a short response.

"UFB!" wrote David Margolis, presumably a common off-color shorthand for "unbelievable."

Sticky wicket for Pakistani cricket

The Pakistani cricket roller coaster continued a wild ride at the world games in the Bahamas this weekend.  Coach Bob Woolmer died suddenly, found in his room in blood and vomit.  What was thought to  be an ironic swing in the Pakistani drama then turned ugly as rumors of murder swirled around the cricket world.

British papers like The Sun report Woolmer's death is suspicious.  Indian new says Woolmer's demise was murder.

BOB WOOLMER'S death is being treated as suspicious by police in Jamaica.

The Pakistan coach, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead after being transferred to hospital.

Woolmer's team had suffered a shock World Cup defeat to Ireland the previous day which ended their chances of reaching the Super Eight stage in the West Indies.

Jose Canseco juicing with the stars

Steroid Nation loves Jose Canseco, like a old floppy pet dog.  A big, lovable, doof.  Always great to keep track of Canseco's whereabouts, and his ne'er-do-well activity.

Canseco reportedly wants a 'Dancing with the Stars' gig.  Imagine his large steroid-developed frame out there cutting the rug.  A ratings bonanza.  Pure Gene Kelly.

Reports indicate Canseco attended some of those lush 'Dancing' parties.  Here he is caught on video (scroll down).  ( Update: Vin over at the Sports Column sent me the You Tube link so y ou don't have to wade through the other stuff to see the big guy)

However, life isn't easy, even for a steroid superhero.  Gaslamp Ball reports Canseco sneaked into one 'Dancing' post-party, was spotted by a female bouncer attendee, then booted.

That's a picture of Jose Canseco, but it's not just any picture of Jose Canseco. It's a picture of Jose Canseco at a Dancing With the Stars post-party. Do you remember how Canseco was rumored to be the next DWTS sports star? Canseco went so far as to tell the gossip rags that he'd been offered the spot, but had yet to decide if he would tango with the other stars.

Well, the actual story that we've heard from our Secret Source behind the scenes at DWTS is interesting and much more believable, if not in a sad sort of way.

During last season's final episode, Jose Canseco was seen in the audience and is allegedly friends with DWTS dancer Mario Lopez. After the show, everybody went to the post-party to do what post-partiers do, but our guy Jose wasn't on the list and was denied entry. After sneaking in, he proceeded to do his mingling thing. The girl that initially turned him away spotted him and had security escort him out. Whether or not she actually recognized him as Jose Canseco is unclear, but apparently, cries of, "I'm Jose Canseco!" don't carry much weight around these parts any more.

Never one to take no for an answer, Jose slithered back in, was allowed to stay, and made much use of his camera time.

Eventually, Canseco schmoozed the right people and had enough people recognize him that he was allowed back in. Once he was in, Canseco took every opportunity to mug for photos. Any time a camera was produced, Canseco stuck his steroid enlarged head into the shot. From what we've heard from our friends behind the scenes, it was a little weird. More than once, people would be heard whispering in hushed tones, "Why does Jose Canseco keep sticking his face in photos? And what the heck is even doing here'?

Apparently, what he was doing was getting face time to try to provide some material evidence to the "rumors" that he would be the next Dancing With the Stars sports star - Rumors that evidently, Canseco was planting himself. It seems that the plan was to get as much face time in the gossip columns as possible so as to make it seem that he was the prime candidate for the spot. Sort of the self fulfilling prophecy strategy. The plan obviously didn't work as Clyde the Glide and the speed skater are strutting their stuff on network TV while Canseco tries to figure out if he really is just destined to do softcore porn.

Maybe next year, Sultan of the Syringe. Maybe next year.

All things baseball

1. David Winfield publishes a new book.  Apparently he speaks out against the use of steroids, and about the dwindling number of black kids interested in baseball.

2.  Brown graduate and SF Chronicle reporter Lance Williams speaks at Brown tonight (The Brown Daily Herald).  Williams is the esteemed author of 'Game of Shadows' which documents the BALCO scandal.  Mr. Williams is a Brown '72 graduate, and attended Univ. California Berkley graduate school.

From the Brown Daily Jolt:

Lance Williams '72 is a reporter on the investigative team at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he helped break many of the newspaper's exclusive stories on the BALCO steroid scandal. He has also covered the California cocaine trade, Oakland’s Black Panther Party and the career of San Francisco mayor and political power-broker Willie Brown. He will be signing copies of the book he wrote with Mark Fainaru-Wada — Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO and the Steroids Scandal that Rocked Professional Sports. Free and open to the public; book signing and refreshments to follow discussion.

 

3. Knoxnews says that baseball's commissioners have not dealt with the growing anabolic abuse problem well.  (The Nation has to run now, but will try to expand on these thoughts later)

But the integrity of the game has been damaged more during Selig's 15-year reign than at any time since the 1919 Black Sox scandal - and much of the blame is his.

He didn't do nearly enough to combat what will be forever known as baseball's "Steroid Era."

Really, he did nothing.

Time for MLB to hire an independent commissioner, not the owner's shill like a Bud Selig has been.

4.  Item (FT.com) concerning the 'fired' Kevin Ryan, chief prosecutor of the BALCO investigation.

Seven US attorneys were asked to resign on a single day last December and DoJ officials have said an eighth was pushed out to make room for a protégé of Mr Rove. Many prominent Democrats and two Republicans have said Mr Gonzales should resign; even the president has criticised the handling of the removals...

To bolster claims that the removals were performance-related, the administration released to Congress 3,000 pages of documents related to the sackings, including hundreds of pages of complaints about the fired US attorneys...

(including) criticism of Kevin Ryan, then top prosecutor in San Francisco, for the way he handled a new sentencing policy for steroid use.

Baltimore Oriole's owner worried about getting needled on steroids; passed on Alex Sanchez

MS-NBC reports that the Baltimore Orioles, showing a pang of conscious for once, considering their tainted history with anabolic using players, passed on a chance for Alex Sanchez.

When several Baltimore Orioles players approached management about signing free agent outfielder Alex Sanchez, the possibility seemed intriguing enough. Sanchez was a speedy outfielder who could serve well on the Orioles' bench as a reserve and had thrived in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason, hitting .350 in 37 games. Sanchez was no superstar, though he didn't need to be one to help the team.

Apparently the Orioles considered busted Orioles Rafael Palmeiro, David Holmes, and Jason Grimsley; also Sammy Sosa, Jerry Hairston Jr., Gary Matthews Jr..  There are suspicious rumors about former Orioles players: David Segui, Brian Roberts, and Miguel Tejada.  Orioles owners are now apparently sensitive to getting poked with steroids:

When the idea of signing Sanchez was broached among the Orioles' top decision makers, though, it took just seconds to dash such a proposition, according to team sources. Sanchez had one striking negative going against him. He had violated baseball's drug policy in 2005, which made him nearly an untouchable for the organization. Sanchez eventually signed with the Florida Marlins

More on Matthews Jr.; Doctors name on his prescriptions also on pro wrestlers steroids/HGH

Although not the primary focus of the article SI.com adds a bit more to the Matthews, Jr. story. (again thanks to the the Wiz at The Wizard of Odds).

SI.com says that Matthews received two prescriptions from the same doctors whose names were on wrestler Randy Orton's multitude of anabolics.  The pharmacy appears to be Allied out of Alabama.

Consider Randy Orton, who allegedly received eight prescriptions for six different drugs -- stanozolol, nandrolone, anastrozole, Clomiphene citrate, oxandrolone and testosterone -- between March 2004 and August 2004. (Through the WWE, Orton declined comment.) Interestingly, according to the documents, Orton's prescriptions came from the same two doctors whose names appeared on the prescriptions in major league outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.'s file.

Matthews denies use of anabolics.

Operation Netroids: Pro wrestlers with steroids and HGH

More information from Sports Illustrated (SI.Com), who dribbles news about 'Operation Netroids' out on the website. (thanks to the Wiz over at The Wizard of Odds).  Also see our story on wrestlers dying young.

Today;s information concerns pro wrestling and steroids/HGH.  There are 3 components.

A.  The pro wrestlers involved included the late Eddie Guerrero, who died in 2005, of cardiac causes.  The word on the net is that the cardiac complications were secondary to chronic abuse of anabolic steroids (and yet we have gurus who say there are few side effects of anabolic steroids..yeah right!).

Kurt Angle --a legitimate wrestler at one point( trenbolone and one for nandrolone), Oscar Gutierrez (Rey Mysterio), Adam Copeland, a.k.a. Edge, and Shane Helms, a.k.a. The Hurricane, appear to be involved (the last two with HGH).

Randy Orton, a pro wrestler, allegedly received 8 prescriptions for 5 different drugs:
1.  Stanozolol (Winstrol)
2.  Nandrolone (Deca DUrabolin)
3.  Anastrozole (anti-estrogen)
4.  Clomiphene (anti-estrogen)
5.  Oxandrolone (Anavar)
6.  Testosterone

B. SI names David Wilbirt, an Arizona doctor who was investigated by the DEA.  SI reports he is not practicing (licensed jerked?).

When reached at his home Wilbirt spoke with us briefly, asserting, "I'm not even practicing medicine now, so... I don't remember doing half the stuff you're talking about." (The Arizona Medical Board confirms that his license is currently suspended.) Asked specifically about the professional wrestlers, Wilbirt remarked: "I'll tell you one thing and then this conversation is going to end. They had done blood work and had laboratory work done and they had come to see me." Wilbirt obviously remains a "person of interest" for the investigators.

Wilbirt "from 2001 to 2005 for allegedly writing 3,879 prescriptions between November 2004 and April 2005, all for "patients" who had requested drugs over the Internet. Though that was two years ago, his name has surfaced several times in the official documents we reviewed from the "Operation Netroids" investigation."

C. The Internet pharmacy in this case was Applied, in Mobile, Ala., a compounding pharmacy that was raided last fall.

SI sums up the business operations as:

(a) distribution pipeline which...is a marriage of fraudulent anti-aging clinics, complicit compounding pharmacies and doctors who rubber-stamp prescriptions for human growth hormone (HGH), testosterone, steroids, etc., often without examining the patients.

Seems to the Nation, that a huge number of pro wrestlers, and boxers utilize anabolic steroids, HGH and other drugs to develop those eye popping physiques.  When will American fans hold these sports (and the master manipulators like Vince McMahon, Ted Turner etc.) responsible for the untold damage done to the wrestlers, and in setting a bizarre milieu out there for pro wrestling enthusiasts.

As a Roman emperor once said when confronted about money he made from public urinals 'this (money) doesn't smell'.

Sins of the MLB fathers: Why do second generation MLB players juice?

RealGMBaseball has an editorial pondering why '2nd generation' MLB players (Bonds, Matthews, Jr., Bell etc.) use steroids, and anabolics.  Interesting stuff.

This article is well researched and well written.

From a male child’s first steps, he is always trying to walk in his father’s footsteps. A son idolizes his father from the very onset of childhood. At a young age, a son wants so much to please his father and receive his approval and acceptance...

The author recounts how many sons follow in their father's footsteps from George W. Bush to Keifer Sutherland.  Then, the MLB sons:

Barry Bonds, Jerry Hairston Jr., David Bell, and Gary Matthews Jr. have all thrived at one point in their major league career. They all also have grown up watching their fathers play. And they all have been involved in performance enhancing scandals...

For centuries past, present, and future, sons will always look up to their fathers. However, sometimes extreme adulation can lead to desperate measures by those sons who are committed to supplanting their father’s past successes. In this case, four MLB players have grown up surrounded by the game and felt it was necessary to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, yearning to prosper and reach heights higher than their procreators had ever achieved. However, when bumps in the road occurred and it seemed as if they were on the precipice of failure, they turned to performance enhancing drugs rather than pure blood, sweat and tears. By toiling in this ever-growing illegal saga, their legacies will be forever jaded, and perhaps so will those of their fathers. So, rather than making their dads proud, they have done nothing but tarnish the reputation and the integrity not only of the game, but also of their family name.

The original article is much longer, and well worth a read.  Many more details than we include here.  Check it out.

 

March Madness

A few issues in a week of March Madness.

The Los Angeles Times featured a week's log debate on steroids and baseball. (may require registration)  Halos Heaven proprietor Matt Gleason and NY Sun baseball writer Tim Marchman debated PEDs and the Angels.

Day 1: The Los Angeles Angels and Gary Matthews Jr.

Day 2: How steroids changed baseball.

Day 3: How to deal with drug-cheats.

Day 4: Is the steroid scandal in MLB a witch hunt?

Day 5: Rooting out steroids, or infringement on personal privacy rights?

Off-cycle for steroids

With the NCAA March Madness going on, steroid madness takes a back seat. Good, The Nation needs a break.  Some stories:

1.  What is worse for baseball: Pete Rose gambling, or the various steroid/anabolic scandals.  Sportsfanmagazine.com.

2.  The Pasadena Star-News says the steroids epidemic needs to be addressed now.

3.  Donald Fehr thinks it might be OK to test MLB players for HGH.  Lower Hudson Journal-News.

4. The Playfuls says Jan Ullrich doesn't want his DNA exposed by any old anti-doping agency.

Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann discuss the new 'more compact' Albert Pujols.

Remember the talk about Albert Pujols last year?  Yeah that talk, about anabolics specifically HGH.  How he trained with Mike Sweeney and Jason Grimsley.  Yeah that Jason Grimsley, the HGH user.  How Pujols  power output rose dramatically over his career. The connections were discussed at Deadspin.

That talk seemed to settle down.  Then yesterday, Dan Patrick and his sidekick Keith Olbermann noticed Pujols is more compact.  Well, take a listen:

The two also discuss Barry Bonds' increased physical size.  (thanks to Tony J for hearing this discussion, then finding it on MP3)

Low key day

As the NCAA tournament begins today, MLB spring training drags on, and the NCAA wrestling championships start, we finally see a relatively low key day in anabolic use-land.  Whew, it's been busy lately.  We do note the Landis hearings should open in France soon.

1.  This columnist thinks Lance Armstrong is no better than Barry Bonds. Lance is no better than Bonds

2. Sid Dorfman says there is no end to the steroid crisis.  Newark Star-Ledger.

3. The Black Athlete Sports Network thinks Barry Bonds should simply stop hitting home runs when he ties Hank Aaron at 755.

4.  SI.com writes how Matthews Jr., denies taking HGH.

Weird steroid overdose in Albany County NY

Very weird coincidence, from Albany New York comes this story from Capital News 9.

A 28 year-old male from Albany was rushed to the hospital unresponsive.  He was thought to be suffering from complications from a virus.  However, he apparently started his own home gym.  A search of the gym revealed several empty vials of 'roids. 

Albany is the home district of David Soares, lead attorney in the Orlando Internet pharmacy bust.

Barbara Kennedy said, "They already warned me the kidneys are done probably. He's going to need dialysis for the rest of his life or a transplant. I offered one of my kidneys. I offered a piece of my liver."

Barbara Kennedy is facing what no mother should ever have to. She said her son, 28-year-old Peter Kennedy, is holding on for dear life after being rushed to St. Peter's Hospital for what she thought was a cold. His sister discovered it's likely something else.

Kennedy said, "She came down in hysterics. She had found four or five of these bottles and several of these that were empty. I think three at least. I just lost it.

Kennedy said her son, who loves dirt bikes and four-wheelers, changed about a year ago. He may have taken steroids after building a gym in his basement once a DWI made it impossible for him to hang out with his friends.

Kennedy said, "I says, why are you gaining so much weight? He showed me all of his power...He had five or six bottles from GNC that were power milkshakes, power drinks, pills."

She said he also had bottles of what investigators said are steroids...

DA David Soares released a statement saying, "Our thoughts are with Peter Kennedy as we continue to pray for his full recovery...While there are ongoing investigations into this and other steroid related cases, our primary concern today is to ensure that other people are not injecting these toxic products into their body. This is a major public health concern and I urge anyone who is in possession of these drugs, or knows of anyone using these particular drugs, to contact the New York State Department of Health or the District Attorney's Office to surrender them."

Which Landis Sample Was Tested?

(By James)

This past weekend we attended the Landis' Tour of Innocence.  Recall that we wrote about it last Sunday.  Again, if your not familiar with Landis's argument, see the video links included in our previous post.  The videos take about 20 minutes to watch and they lay out the public argument the Landis camp is using to promote their innocence.

Floyd's technical arguments are led by Dr. Arnie Baker MD.  Arnie is a former doctor that now trains cyclists in the San Diego area - including Floyd for many years.

One of the arguments put forth by Baker is the possibility that the wrong sample was tested.  Or, the output from more than one sample was jumbled together in the lab documentation of Landis.

Last November when this was first brought public by Baker, officials at the Paris lab initially scoffed at the idea.  Later they admitted to some "typing mistakes" but assured everyone their was no doubt that the sample tested was Landis.  As we detailed last Sunday:

Baker now tells us that the incorrect sample number in Floyd's documentation was actually the sample number of another rider that was tested on stage 19.

Furthermore, that other sample was also tested at the LNDD on the same day as Floyd’s! This cast the labeling error in a whole new light.  The labeling error could have been more than just an innocent typographical error as another sample with that number was tested the same day in that same lab!

To further this argument, Baker provided us with the following slide.

(click on image for a larger version)

Does this mean the Paris lab tested the wrong sample?  Not necessarily.  But now that we know the incorrect number is not a random typo, it is up to USADA to show that the right sample was tested.  Short of a DNA test of the sample, we're not sure how they can prove this. 

Evander Holyfield expands on 'hormone' use, then drops a bomb: 'Mike Tyson is doing it (steroids)'

Like a spreading cancer this illicit drug thing metastasizes (prior Holyfield posts here, and here for starters).  Now, Evander Holyfield, apparently feeling some heat, says he was told Mike Tyson juiced.  Expanded story in Atlanta Constitution. Not that anyone should be surprised.  Max Kellerman estimated 70% of heavyweights were on the program.  For Holyfield, the result of ingesting some bad crustaceans (but possibly hepatitis):

Holyfield admitted for the first time Tuesday that he took a drug "two or three times," which he says was prescribed, for occasional fatigue problems he had battled since contracting hepatitis A in 1995, before a heavyweight title defense against Riddick Bowe. (Holyfield said he thinks he got the virus from eating "some bad shrimp" but never disclosed he had hepatitis A, which can't be spread through casual contact, because he did not want the fight canceled.)

Holyfield said that in 2000 he was told by a Houston physician that he had a hormonal deficiency, which possibly was leading to his occasional bouts with fatigue.

"I would get tired for no reason at all," he said. "I was tired for the whole day. I'd even sleep, then I'd get up and it felt like I hadn't gotten any rest at all. Sometimes my energy would just go up and down for no reason. They said part of it might have been when I had the hepatitis A, which attacks the liver, and the stress."

Albany attorney Soares to forward names of Intenet 'users' to pro leagues

Albany district attorney David Soares will forward names and addresses of suspected professional athletes to their respective leagues.  The New York Daily News published the story today.

Albany District Attorney David Soares said yesterday he will take the names of any athlete who was buying drugs from two pharmacies involved in a nationwide steroid investigation and forward them to the leagues they play for, including the National Football League and Major League Baseball. Those players ultimately could be called as witnesses against the distributors and physicians who are the targets of Soares' ongoing investigation, known as "Operation Which Doctor."

How will Soares' office know whom is an athlete and whom isn't?  Do they have database technology?  Or someone from SI helping with the task?  And if the athlete uses an alias, such as Evander Holyfield, or ''Evan Fields' used, what then?

"We're going to be sending (the leagues) information to vet those names, see if they are who they say they are," Soares told the Daily News yesterday. The leagues should be able to identify whether the mailing addresses and other personal information associated with clients of the two pharmacies are in fact those of athletes, athletes using aliases or other clients who used the names of athletes as aliases while ordering steroids and human growth hormone.

The NFL and MLB are interestingly quiet on the possibility of receiving names of players who ordered drugs, as this is potentially a huge embarrassment.

Spokesmen for MLB and the NFL said they were unaware Soares would be sending a letter or providing names, and declined to comment further.

Soares said he does not plan to make the names public, but acknowledged that once the names are in circulation, it is entirely possible that they could find the light of day.

Three months until the first pitch, but Israel Baseball League already talking about the steroid problem

In less than three months Golda Meir throws out the first baseball for the new Israel Baseball League (and it better be at Hank Greenberg Memorial Stadium).  Hey, they already are talking about the steroid problem. From the Jewish Ledger comes an interview with IBL Commissioner Daniel C. Kurtzer, former United States Ambassador to Israel from 2001 to 2005.

Q: In light of the steroid controversy, is there any concern about that type of thing in Israel?

A: I think it's too soon to think about it. There are provisions already within their sports organizations to deal with these issues in a general way. Knowing what we now know about the American sport, we're aware [of it]. I'm not concerned going in that we're going to face a particular problem.

For the record, The Nation is going to go with the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox to win the pennant this year.  Oy Vey, good pitching and adequate hitting.

The Commish adds:

What's been most interesting: I've done a lot of public speaking over the past three months on Middle Eastern things, and recently when I've mentioned [baseball in Israel], this is what has now gotten people interested. It's like, "Oh, you were ambassador? Who cares," but now it's "Wow, you're commissioner of baseball." So the buzz is quite good.

Good luck, IBL(link here).  (What shape will the plate be?)

Evander Holyfield's defenses lowered

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution released a report that Evander Holyfield admits to taking 'something'.  Should be easy to trace if Dr. 'Somebody' gave him treatment 'something' from 'Somewhere' Pharmacy.

Evander Holyfield, while reaffirming he has never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs, told the Journal-Constitution on Tuesday he took "something that was supposed to help with my hormonal problem" in 2004 but that he quickly stopped because it didn't seem to do anything.

Holyfield, who has been linked to a steroid and HGH investigation, said he battled fatigue problems often since contracting hepatitis A in 1995 before a fight against Riddick Bowe. In 2000, he was told that he had a hormonal deficiency, possibly related to the hepatitis.

In 2004, he said, somebody recommended a doctor in South Georgia. Applied Pharmacy, which is the subject of a federal investigation, actually is based in Mobile, Ala., but Holyfield believes the two are related.

Holyfield said, "A doctor there prescribed something, but I don't know what it was. Hormonal something. All I know is it didn't do anything so I stopped taking it. I only took it two or three times over the summer. They said, 'Just keep taking it.' I said, 'Why? It's not doing anything.'"

He said he did not recall the name of the drug but that it was cleared by his long-time former personal physician, Dr. Christopher Vaughns. Vaughns died of cancer in 2005

The photos are early Holyfield v. later Holyfield.  Impressive transformation.

You're gonna inject HGH and you're gonna crap thunder!

The world loves Rocky, and loves to follow Stallone.  A short compilation of our favorite blog posts:

Deadspin: When Rocky breaks Hank Aaron's record, then we'll be worried.

The Big Lead: Rocky rockin the HGH

Sports by Brooks: AUSSIE COURT - STALLONE CAUGHT WITH 48 VIALS OF HGH: TMZ.com (via Steroid Nation) reports that in court proceedings in Australia today, Sylvester Stallone was "officially charged with illegally importing performance and image enhancing drugs."

Sports Column:  Stallone officially charged in Australia for HGH.

Amazing isn't it?  This goofy little day-dream sports-hero movie-plot written 30 odd years ago, leads to all this controversy.

Mickey: Your nose is broken.
Rocky: How does it look?
Mickey: Ah, it's an improvement.

 

The LA Times suggests Angels considering a Matthews Jr. suspension

In very interesting speculation, the LA Times (may need registration) suggest that the Los Angeles Angels might be considering a suspension of Gary Matthews Jr.  The Sports Frog also has the story. Erick Aybar could fill in for Mathews.  As everyone knows, Matthews was 'loosely' implicated in the Internet pharmacy busts.  Reports indicate (not verified) he received HGH.

SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Erick Aybar started in center field Monday, and not just as an experiment in versatility. With no idea whether center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. will be on the opening-day roster, the Angels' baseball brain trust is making contingency plans.

"As this thing goes on, not really knowing how close it is to a resolution or what a resolution might be, you definitely have to prepare," Manager Mike Scioscia said.

If Angels owner Arte Moreno suspends Matthews for his refusal to address allegations he ordered human growth hormone, Aybar could be an intriguing replacement. Baseball America ranks Aybar, a natural shortstop, and Brandon Wood as the Angels' top prospects.

Consider this, the San Francisco Giants looked at signing Matthews Jr.  Chris Haft (MLB.com) answered a question about this:

For all the heat the Giants got for failing to sign big-name free agents, is there a sense of relief that they failed to sign Gary Matthews Jr., given his controversy?
-- H.K., San Francisco

Stick your hand out the window. The source of the breeze you'll feel is the sigh of relief emanating from Giants headquarters over NOT signing Matthews. We all know that the Giants are front and center in the turbulence surrounding performance-enhancing drug use. The franchise's reputation would have suffered even more had the Matthews affair unfolded with him on the roster.

Some suggest that the Angels are looking for a way to void Mathews Jr's contract.

Pro Bodybuilder Jason Arntz arrested for manufacturing steroids

Pro Bodybuilder Jason Arntz arrested for manufacturing steroids (story in Newark Star-Ledger).  The alleged ring included a football coach, and a star running back.

Morris County Prosecutor Michael M. Rubbinaccio said authorities found a "fully functional lab," complete with a pill press, in the McKinley Avenue home Dente shares with his father, Ben. Also seized were enough ingredients -- from China and Greece -- to make 35,000 doses of steroids, he said.

"They are dead wrong," said Ben Dente. "It's all BS. There's no manufacturing here. It's not a factory and there was no buying or selling in my house."..

Professional bodybuilder Jason Arntz, 35, of South Brunswick provided the expertise for manufacturing the steroids, although Cuppari and Dente also got information off the Web, Rubbinaccio said. Charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture steroids, Arntz was released on $50,000 bail.

The other 13 suspects, including the high school football player, were charged as customers, police said. Also seized in raids and arrests that began Friday and ended Sunday were other drugs, including cocaine and Cialis, a dozen vehicles and weapons valued at about $200,000 combined, according to authorities. Larry Zhou, 23, of East Hanover is charged with providing cocaine to Cuppari, and Joseph Monticello, 21, of East Hanover is charged with selling drugs to others, authorities said.

New Jersey became the first state to develop a functional steroid testing program for high schools.