Steroid Nation

DNA on 'waste' matches Clemens' DNA found on juiced medical equipment

As the Roger Clemens trial grinds on, there are several developments (which we will try to document).

Today a forinsic expert testified that DNA (and here)found on equipment used for steroid injections retained  by the trainer, McNamee

A forensic scientist testified that two cotton balls and a syringe needle allegedly saved after a steroids injection tested positive for Roger Clemens’ DNA, a key moment on Friday as the government tries to prove the former pitcher used performance-enhancing drugs.

Alan Keel told jurors that the DNA on both cotton balls were “unique to one person who has ever lived on the planet” – Clemens. He said one of the cotton balls had a random match possibility of one in 15.4 trillion for Clemens’ DNA, and the other had one in 173 trillion, when comparing to the population of white people in the U.S.

Both cells and blood were 'matched' from the discarded cotton balls and syringes containing PED substances, with Clemens' DNA.

Experts testified that the medical waste contained traces of 'roids.  Thus there is a tenuous link betweem Steroids and Clemens on physical evidence, that appears to corroborate the oral testimony of Clemen's trainer Brian McNamee (below right) about the Rocket's use of the PEDs.

Obviously questions remain, as this is not a forensic sample, about the links among the bits of evidence that Clemens deceived others about his steroid and PED use.

 On Thursday, two forensic analysts said they had found steroids on the items, some of which included needles, gauze, and a broken steroid ampoule that had been stuffed into a Miller Lite beer can. Clemens attorneys have already indicated they will argue that there is no way to tell how steroids got onto items connected to the pitcher. They countered on Thursday that someone may have dripped steroids over the medical items and that chemicals in the batch of evidence could have mixed together, making it hard to tell whether steroids were on items connected to Clemens. McNamee admitted last week that some of the medical waste was from other players.

 

 

 

What puts the 'cyborg' in Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos?

MMA star Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos showed what put the 'cyborg' in her name: PEDs.    Article today discusses the female side of the MMA, where Santos tested positive for juicing in January:

The MMA world has courted Ronda Rousey as the new face of women's MMA, but it would be foolish to completely write off Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos, who was once considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

After testing positive for steroids in January, Santos was stripped of her Strikeforce title and pretty much obliterated from the minds of fans.

Hey, but no big deal:

People have a tendency to overestimate the effectiveness of steroids on a fighter's actual skill. Steroids didn't turn Santos into a world-class striker and grappler. If such a magic pill or shot existed, MMA would be overrun by athletes doping up to take their skills to the next level.

Cleverly worded sentence:  'overestimate the effectiveness of steroids on ..skills'.  What about strength, endurance, arousal, and explosiveness.  Not to mention cheating.

Maybe the substance wasn't 'roids.  According to Santos:

I would like to sincerely apologize to Strikeforce, the Zuffa organization, Hiroko Yamanaka and my fans for my failed drug test. While I was preparing myself for my last fight I was having a difficult time cutting weight and used a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition. It was never my intention to obtain an unfair advantage over Hiroko, mislead Strikeforce, the commission or my fans. I train harder than any fighter in MMA and do not need drugs to win in the cage, and I have proven this time and time again.

Photos of Santos.  Which one was caught with possible roids?  The one with ripped male abs?

That's Rousey, above left.  Note the differences in musculature?  Do fans really like watching females with male physiques?

Denver Bronco players take action on NFL steroid testing suspensions: Ghost of Ryan Braun's court win flys high

Predictably, following Ryan Bruan's PED appeal win in the MLB steroids case, professional athletes suspended for either juicing or some other PED impropriety will begin suing their respective professional leagues for dismissional of charges.  Let the party begin!

Two of 3 recently suspended Denver Broncos kick off the action in the NFL.  To Yahoo Sports:

...On March 9, it was announced that Williams and McBean would each be suspended six games without pay, and Green suspended four games without pay, for violations of the league's policies on performance-enhancing substances. The process seemed sketchy at the time, as Williams pointed out in a statement, and as Green wrote on his Twitter account.

ESPN reported on Tuesday morning that Williams and McBean have filed suit against the NFL.

Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of the case is that the NFL contends the samples given by Williams and McBean were of the "non-human" variety. However, Peter R. Ginsberg, Williams' attorney, said that the since-fired specimen collector was a witness to the ... uh ... "sample collection."

The players contend on different issues; Green on an ADHD medicine (and subsequent Therapeutic Use Exemption, TUE) and Williams/McBean on improper collection procedures:

From Williams, the day the suspensions were handed down:

I understand from media reports today that the NFL has announced a suspension based on a specimen that the NFL acknowledges did not contain steroids or any illegal substance. Instead, the NFL contends that I provided a non-human specimen.

I have never failed a test of any kind — for steroids or illegal substances — during my eight-year pro career. I am proud of my record and proud of the way in which I conduct myself as a professional athlete and citizen. We proved — conclusively — at the NFL hearing on this matter that the NFL and its specimen collector wholly failed in their duties to safeguard and process my specimen properly.

In fact, the specimen collector was fired by the NFL after compromising my specimen as well as others'. The hearing officer, an NFL executive, ignored the NFL's own Policy, engaged in inappropriate communications with top NFL officials about this matter without my knowledge or approval, corrupted the system, ignored that my specimen had been compromised, and now has subjected me to humiliation as well as suspension. We will be vigorously pursuing my rights in the judicial system.

My suspension is unjust; the NFL has undermined and corrupted its own steroid policy.

Green wrote on Twitter that "I was suspended for taking ADHD medication prior to approval from NFL. I have now been approved to take the medication to treat my ADHD. I apologize to my teammates, the Bronco Organization and my family and friends. Thank you guys for all your support."

Jose Canseco bashed again: Caught in the Mexican minor leagues with steroids?

Word has it Bash Brother Jose Canseco found himself dismissed from a Mexican minor league baseball team (AAA) following an admission he took banned testosterone.  At least according to an MLB official:

Jose Canseco will not play in the Mexican Baseball League after admitting to league officials that he took a banned substance for which he has no prescription.

Mexican Baseball League officials say Jose Canseco has acknowledged that he took a banned substance for which he has no prescription and will now not play in the league.

Plinio Escalante, president of the Mexican League, confirmed to ESPN Deportes that the banned substance is testosterone.

A source told ESPN Deportes that Canseco refused to take a doping test.

Wait, Canseco denies the report:

Canseco took to Twitter Wednesday to refute the allegations.

"How can I test positive when I never took any test don't believe everything the media tells you.the truth always comes out I am not using any illegal substanced," Canseco tweeted. "Don't be so quick to judge till you here the truth that's a sure sign of ignorance hatred and jealousy."

Doesn't seem to be an issue of tests, Jose.  Doesn't seem to be any hatred or jealousy (can those be used in the same sentence?).  And the ignorance is not likely to be with the media this time.

Sounds like Canseco's comeback with the Quintana Roo Tigers is bashed.

Lenny 'Nails' Dykstra to occupy state prison for 3 years; Nailed for grand theft auto...HGH found in raid

Long time bad boy Lenny Dykstra will be calling a California State prison home for three years after one of his innumerable schemes landed him in trouble.  Dykstra was sentenced for GTA:

Lenny Dykstra, the former professional outfielder for the New York Mets, received his sentence on charges of providing false financial statements as well as grand theft auto. After pleading no contest, Dykstra was sentenced Monday to serve three years in a California state prison.

Dykstra’s scam involved claiming a line of credit through a fake company in order to lease luxury automobiles from unsuspecting car dealerships. After Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ulfig denied his request to withdraw his plea, Ulfig said that the scam showed extensive planning and sophistication for which he was ultimately sentenced 3 years in prison.

The 49 year old former professional baseball player has had an unfortunate string of run-ins with the authorities resulting in legal repercussions including the most recent sentencing. The ex-New York Mets outfielder has found himself in a downward spiral which has ripped him from the enchanted lifestyle of a professional athlete to a sober living facility and now California state prison.

Dykstra stored some HGH, along with other illegal drugs at his SoCal palace:

Dykstra was arrested in his Los Angeles home by police who found ecstasy, cocaine, and synthetic human growth hormone (HGH) in his possession. After his initial not guilty plea on all 25 counts, Lenny Dykstra decided that it was in his best interest to change his plea to no contest and prosecutors decided to drop 21 counts in exchange for his change of plea.

Dykstra, infamous for ripping off several professional athletes with his financial advice' has been involved with (short list):

• Drug possession
• Bankruptcy fraud
• Indecent exposure

Dykstra's lawyer played a violin for the poor fellow, who has long been known to be out of control:

“No way this wasn’t a probationary case. To Give him state prison is outrageous. I find it disgusting.”

Dykstra has been ripping off people for decades.  One could point out that it is disgusting to let him run around  unfettered.

Nails claimed he was a steroid pioneer - he and Jose Canseco:

“You know,” Lenny finally said, breaking the ice, “I was like a pioneer for that stuff (steroids).”

• Randall Lane: Jim Cramer Stock Touting Scandal“Excuse me, Lenny?”

“The juice. I was like the very first to do that. Me and [José] Canseco.”

He straightened up, as he prepared, somewhat proudly, to reveal his role in this dangerous, unseemly history.

Dyskstra's Phillies 1993: 19, 66, .305 and a contract for 25 million.  Dykstra has long defrauded fans and friends.

The Braun Case: Good clinical practice, steroid (PED) abuse testing, and HIPAA violations

I heard Dan Patrick pontificate on the Ryan Braun situation today. Apparently these sports commentators have Ph.D.s, JDs, and a host of other professional degrees, at least in their own minds.

They also do not need to reveal sources (talk about a slippery slope; what if the source is their dog, ie made up).  Patrick kept referring to "I was told", and "sources".  He made these points:

• Bruan had some huge quantity of synthetic testosterone in his urine.  (actually his T:E as reported was 20:1; 5:1 is usually the cut off for suspicions)
• The issue should not be chain of custody
• Braun should not pursue legal remedies, what what he sue for?  (defamation for a beginning)
• That the chemists are always ahead of the testers (ah he has a Ph.D. in biochemistry now)
• And that big names are enrolling in an MD lead PED program to beat the system (assuredly based on the East German Doping Machine, chuckles)

In medicine laboratory and clinical, the procedure and the processing is vitally important.  If a sample is mishandled, or stored incorrectly, or allowed to warm up (in some cases) the lab values may be in error, and not reliable.  Biologic molecules can decompose, enzymes can metabolize substances, results may be affected.  For experiments, freezers are monitored for constant temperature, labels are clear, and the process is transparent.  If there is a breech, the data is discarded, or should be.

And even then..

Example, I knew of a patient who was told by a physician of standing that he had Hepatitis C, based on high bilirubin.  That was the only value.  I looked at the lab, astonished to hear the conclusions, because nothing else appeared in line with Hep C.  There is a natural variant called Gilbert's Disease where a person walks around with elevated bili.  On retesting that was exactly what the patient manifest - Gilbert's and not Hep C.  So he was given a 'death sentence' based on one lab value.

Thus if there is a breach in protocol, the test is invalid, and it did not happen.  No you cannot reconstruct the results, forget it.  Check out the post on DNA analysis.  Degrdation of lab tests here, here and here.

What is the ideal temp for urin storage?  See below.  The average refergerator is from 35-38C.  And is the household refergerator certified for storage?  BIG OOPS!

But multiple sources said the sample was not shipped for testing as soon as possible, as required by the drug testing policy, and instead was kept in a cool place in the sample collector's home. Sources told ESPN legal analyst Lester Munson that the collector left Braun's sample on a desk in a Tupperware container and left it there for two days.

In retrospect, this was an easy case to arbitrate if the above were true.  Throw out the sample.

So why were Braun's values 'leaked' to the press -- who is going to distort the issue, and hold some kind of kangaroo court on it?  Could this be a HIPAA violation (Health Information Portability Accountability Act)

The Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (“Privacy Rule”) establishes, for the first time, a set of national standards for the protection of certain health information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued the Privacy Rule to implement the requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).¹ The Privacy Rule standards address the use and disclosure of individuals’ health information—called “protected health information” by organizations subject to the Privacy Rule — called “covered entities,” as well as standards for individuals' privacy rights to understand and control how their health information is used. Within HHS, the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) has responsibility for implementing and enforcing the Privacy Rule with respect to voluntary compliance activities and civil money penalties.

A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to assure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public's health and well being. The Rule strikes a balance that permits important uses of information, while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing. Given that the health care marketplace is diverse, the Rule is designed to be flexible and comprehensive to cover the variety of uses and disclosures that need to be addressed.

Clearly there was a breach of confidentiality, unless Bruan gave his consent to releaqse information to ESPN.  The issue is 'covered entitiy'.  Is MLB a 'covered entity' testing employees for drug abuse? Sounds like one law firm may answer positively.

The new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rule on privacy scheduled to go into effect on April 14 may reach as far as the disclosure of information about workplace drug testing and substance abuse management. The Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, known as the Privacy Rule, generally will prevent "covered entities" from disclosing protected health information to non-covered entities without authorization from the subject of the protected health information. The disclosure requirements may apply to many collection facilities, laboratories, Medical Review Officers and other service providers who analyze and review applicants' and employees' drug and alcohol test results.

"Covered entities" under HIPAA must require employers using their services to provide HIPAA-compliant authorization before releasing drug and alcohol test results (i.e., protected health information) for employees and job applicants. Forms currently being used by employers for this purpose may not meet the requirements of the regulations which identify the key components and specifics for the authorization form. Additionally, the forms must be signed by the employees or applicants. As a practical matter, since HIPAA compliance ultimately falls on the shoulders of the "covered entity," the collection facility, laboratory or Medical Review Officer may have its own authorization form for employers.

In addition to the release of test results, other aspects of an employer's substance abuse policy may require use of a HIPAA-compliant authorization form. For example, when an employee enters into substance abuse rehabilitation, an employer may require progress reports from the substance abuse professional who evaluated and treated the employee. If the substance abuse professional is a "covered entity" under HIPAA, the employer may then be required to have the employee sign a specific HIPAA-compliant authorization form permitting the release of the "personal health information", i.e., the substance abuse professional's records, to the employer.

Baseball has cited HIPAA to assure privacy in medical matters before.

The polyps have bothered Rivera recently. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, citing HIPAA privacy laws, has declined to talk about the issue because it is not baseball-related.

In fact it is reported MLB requires players to sign a HIPAA statement.  Athough this author doesn't think it is a HIPAA violation, I have been on hospital boards that rang up people for far less a HIPAA violation, This might be a MALIGNANT HIPAA violation.

My conclusions:

• If there was a violation in laboratory protocol THIS LAB RESULT, THIS SAMPLE DID NOT EXIST
• Ryan Bruan's attorney's should be looking at defamation and HIPAA violations.  An HIPAA violations not a laughing matter.

I still say Braun should not expose those abs, which are quite unusual for baseball....  ^^

References:

German documentation of tampered doping urine samples.

From this paper:  Detecting the Administration of EndogenousAnabolic Androgenic Steroids
Christiane Ayotte (name sound familiar, she is head of the Montreal Lab)

2.3 Stability of Urinary Steroid Conjugates
Testosterone glucuronide is known to be stable in urine for at least 1 year when the
specimen is stored below –20C (Venturelli et al. 1995; Robards and Towers 1990),
while one study reported the formation of free testosterone and free dihydrotestosterone
in urine samples kept at 18 and 37C (Kjeld et al. 1977). Testosterone and
epitestosterone conjugates are stable for months in sterile urine kept at 4C and
–20C (Jime´nez et al. 2006), while the addition of a bacteriostatic agent was
required to preserve their integrity in urine samples kept at 4C and 37C for a
week (Saudan et al. 2006). Spiked in sterile urine, authentic standards of androsterone,
etiocholanolone, testosterone, epitestosterone sulfates and glucuronides are
stable even upon incubation at 37C; dehydroepiandrosterone-3b-sulfate, like other
sulfoconjugated steroids, is less stable showing partial deconjugation. Since samples
are not collected under sterile conditions, skin bacteria and intestinal microflora
(staphylococci, enterobacteria, E. coli, etc.) are often present. Delays in
delivering the samples to the laboratory and improper refrigeration during transportation and storage may offer good conditions for microbial growth; the effects on the urinary steroids are easily detectable and consist mainly in the hydrolysis of the steroid conjugates and in oxidoreductive reactions leading to
the abnormal presence of steroids in the free form and the accumulation of 5aand
5b-androstan-3,17-dione, the b-isomers being more rapidly altered. Signs of
microbial degradation should obviously be absent to ensure the accurate measure
of the steroid profile (Ayotte et al. 1996, 1997; Hemmersbach et al. 1997).

The San Francisco Chronicle says Ryan Braun not worth the sweat or tears

(thought we changed the headline the other day..atrocious grammar)

As we pointed out yesterday, the San Francisco Chronicle says Ryan Braun's 2011 was in-line with past numbers.  Therefore if he juiced the effects were either: 1.) not career altering or 2.) commensurate with past performance (or juicing).

Braun must now prove his worth over time, under the hot microscope of a skeptical public and press.

Braun's allegedly tainted season was profoundly typical of his career. Not a number out of place. He hit more homers in his rookie year, 2007, than he did last season (34 to 33) and had a higher slugging percentage (.634 to .597). To be a .300 hitter (.332) was common for him. He has essentially been the same player throughout a magnificent five-year run.

It is widely believed that steroids have vanished from the major-league scene and that players have turned to more subtle pursuits of the "edge." I wouldn't be shocked if Braun falls into this category, or if he's joined by hundreds of others. Players will be out to circumvent drug-testing systems for the rest of time, and even the more straitlaced players, those with legitimate concerns about putting their long-term health at risk, express lingering disappointment over the ban of amphetamines.

As the new season unfolds, I'm going to watch Braun with the same unbridled enthusiasm as before. I've spent too much time around big-league clubhouses - those havens of very adult behavior - to feel otherwise. But he's going to pay for this episode, in the form of relentless heckling whenever the Brewers hit the road. My biggest fear is that this engaging man becomes jaded, perhaps to the detriment of his game.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/24/SP2H1NC6GN.DTL#ixzz1nPgZyJPz

 

 

Ryan Braun challenges MLB's drug testing system, wins steroids appeal

Ryan Braun who reportedly showed evidence of anabolic steroids during an MLB steroids screen, defeated the league's testing on appeals citing an unsecured chain of custody.  There were plenty of missteps along the way no doubt.

1.  Results of the positive test leaked out to the public from ESPN.  Most accounts in the press accept leaked information, however why are reporters (and ESPN) held to some kind of ethical standards.  Can they leak any confidential medical information?   Ring them up on HIPPAA violations.

2.  Apparently the chain of custody for steroid samples was not well planned out.  Although the T:E ration was 20 in Braun's sample, the arbitrator ruled that chain of custody and the testing procedure was not 'state of the art'. (ESPN)

In his appeal, Braun didn't argue evidence of tampering and didn't dispute the science, but argued protocol had not been followed. Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN investigative reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and T.J. Quinn that Braun questioned the chain of custody and collection procedure.

MLB officials argued that there was no question about the chain of custody or the integrity of the sample, and that Braun's representatives did not argue that the test itself was faulty.

But multiple sources said the sample was not shipped for testing as soon as possible, as required by the drug testing policy, and instead was kept in a cool place in the sample collector's home.

I am not a lawyer, but defense attorneys will question procedure integrity from the outset.  And why not, if the consequences are severe, MLB should maintain a tight, professional, well-supervised chain of custody and maintain 'good clinical practice' for these biological samples.  There can be a ton of errors if good clinical secure procedure is violated.

Braun is claiming innocence, which is true in the strictly 'eligilbe to play' sense.  He beat the positive test on procedural grounds.  That means the needle moves more toward 'no evidence of anabolic steroids' than 'evidence of  anabolic steroids'.

You see, nothing in medicine or the laboratory is absolute, unless it is birth or death, and even then mistakes can be made.  It is 'preponderance of the evidence' (apologies to you with obsessive-compulsive disorder).

Braun said this:

"We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances. I have been an open book, willing to share details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation, because I have nothing to hide. I have passed over 25 drug tests in my career, including at least three in the past year."

Passing 25 tests is unimpressive.  The logic is like "But officer your speed gun is wrong because I have driven this road 400 times and never once was clocked at 100 mph".  Well, yeah, but now you were.  Except the officer jiggled the speed gun, so the results are not considered 'good clinical practice'.

It is said MLB may appeal in federal court.  Forget it.  Don't waste time on juice under the bridge.  Tighten up the procedure and the collection protocol.  If a guy juices once, it is unlikely he can go cold turkey forever.  Sooner or later....

Other takes:

Jeff Bradley talks about Ken Caminti and Jose Canseco, and A-Rod.  What's the point?  Athletes will cheat for advantage.  Monitor them with legally sound good clinical practices.

As for Braun, nothing  about last year pops out as particularly unusual.  .332, 33, 111 are not career highs.  He was a 29 year-old 6-1, 210 pound slugger.  He doesn't really look like a 'roid abuser.  There is no Barry Bonds 175 pound lanky dude to 250 pound middle linebacker with huge-neck-muscles transformation.  If he keeps clean for a couple years, the memory will fade.

Does this mean that everyone else can challenge the system including Manny...?

Juicing in Japanese wrestling: Wrestler took 'girlfriends' tamoxifen

Japanese freestyle wrestler Takahiro Shimonaka tested positive for tamoxifen, a 'masking agent for anabolic steroids, as well as a counter drug for gyne.  His excuse is classic:

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese men's freestyle wrestler Takahiro Shimonaka has been suspended two years for a doping violation.

The Japan Anti-Doping Agency says traces of Tamoxifen were detected in Shimonaka. Athletes commonly use the drug to counter the side effects of steroids.

Kyodo news agency reported that Shimonaka told JADA he mistakenly took Tamoxifen, which belonged to a woman he lives with.

Shimonaka tested positive after Japan's national championships in December, when he won the silver medal in the men's 211-pound division.

Should be an an easy story to check out, simple look at her medical records.  The drug is anti-estrogen, used for cancer treatment, and in younger women infertility.

If you do the 'roids face up to the consequences and don't hide behind your girlfriend.  They should ban the guy for an unimaginative and nasty alibi.

Should Barry Bonds be immortalized outside of ATT Park? Holding a syringe?

From the Sacramento Bee, comes this item on the possibility of a Barry Bond statute outside of AT&T Park:

It's safe to say Roger Clemens won't have a statue of his likeness outside Fenway Park.

Not just because of his link to steroids and legal troubles, but because Clemens went on to win two championships with the New York Yankees. In Boston, that's unforgivable.

A statue of Sammy Sosa outside Wrigley Field? Not going to happen.

A statue of Mark McGwire outside Busch Stadium? We're not here to talk about the past, sorry.

A statue of Barry Bonds outside AT&T Park? Hold the phone a second.

Does Bonds deserve to be immortalized with a statue of his likeness – his arms raised as he watches home run No. 756 sail over the center-field wall? Should he join other Giants greats – Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda – who have statues?

Some Giants fans will say that while they cheered for Bonds before his arms, chest and head made him look like a cartoonish figure, he disgraced the game by using performance-enhancing drugs.

Others will say none of that matters; he provided them with memories that will last a lifetime. Besides, how can the Giants not honor a Bay Area son who is baseball's all-time home run king (wink, wink)?

Though the Giants benefited from Bonds' home run era, they are in no hurry to decide on a statue, and they will continue to keep a polite distance from their former star for now.

The Giants most likely will wait to see if Bonds is elected into the Hall of Fame in his first ballot later this year. If he is, it's just a matter of time before a statue is unveiled.

Why not put a bronze Bonds outside the park?  Maybe a statue of Bonds holding a syringe?  Or Bonds with gynecomastia from 'roiding?  How would you pose Bods to immortalize the career home-run leader?

Kirk Radomski, steroid dealer, pushes supplements

Kirk Radomski, who supplied all kinds of unhealthy PEDs to professional athletes is now concerned about health.  As noted in the Daily News, Radomski pushes supplements, like Mass Arrival X0Treme.

A man wearing a blue lab coat and a shower cap pushes a hand truck loaded with 249 boxes of dietary supplements out of the factory loading dock and toward the GMC Acadia. The next chapter in the life of Kirk Radomski — the man who supplied steroids and human growth hormone to dozens of major leaguers for 10 years — has begun.

“I want to see people lose weight,” Radomski says as he and his partner, Steve Cohen, loaded boxes of “Mass Arrival X-treme,” a supplement that boosts testosterone levels, into Cohen’s vehicle. “I want to see people get bigger muscles. I want to see them live healthier live...

“I’m a convicted felon, but that didn’t stop people from coming up to me and asking my advice about supplements,” he says. “I really couldn’t recommend a lot of products. There are a lot of companies out there that shouldn’t be in business. They put illegal ingredients in their products.

Radomski is free to engage in business activites, of course.  What is bizarre is that people ask him about supplements and nurition.

Like asking a street narcotics dealer what to use for pain relief.

Roger Clemens lawyer Rusty Hardin on society

Here is Rusty Hardin's quote on society. 

We would add: Hopefully we haven't reached a stage in this country where you lie under oath about something you DID do.

Clemens) high-priced legal team, led by Rusty Hardin, probably is happy, too, as those legal bills really will start to pile up now. Clemens, 48, faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines if convicted, though he'd probably serve fewer than two years under federal sentencing guidelines. But he wanted no part of a plea bargain, instead vowing to pitch his way out of another jam.

"Hopefully," Hardin said at a news conference Thursday in Houston, "we haven't reached a stage in this country where you have to admit to something you didn't do."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100821/OPINION03/8210397/1129/sports0104/No-surprise-in-way-Roger-Clemens-is-handling-indictment#ixzz0xLMp4i

One

Early takes on the Roger Clemens indictment: Oath and narcissim

Numerous comments followed the Roger Clemens indictment accusing him of perjury in a congressional hearing.  Some hit the mark, some miss.

One illogical column in the Detroit Free-Press reasoned Congressmen are liars, and therefore should indict themselves rather than Clemens.

Congressmen of all party affiliations can blatantly lie to their constituents and often the only crime committed is their re-election. But if you lie to them, your address could change to Leavenworth.

Ah ... the sweet elixir that is hypocrisy.

There's no defending Roger Clemens if he indeed lied under oath to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee during his nationally televised testimony in January 2008.

If he's that stupid, voluntarily putting himself in this mess, he deserves all the humiliation he gets. I suppose he's employing the George Costanza Principle -- "It's not a lie if you believe it's the truth."

But Congress' relentless pursuit -- a six-count indictment against Clemens for obstructing justice and perjury -- nonetheless comes across as arrogant for a legislative body that has a hard enough time holding itself accountable.

Sigh.  The principle here is that under oath, a witness shall not lie in a congressional hearing.  How does pursuing truth amount to egotistical?  Does the writer not understand that the justice system is based on veracity under oath.  It continues:

These political hacks can't understand that Clemens' and Bonds' career legacies and personal reputations already are shot regardless of what Congress says or does. Nobody really cares if Clemens and Bonds spends a second in federal prison, because the court of public opinion already has tried and convicted them, sentencing them to a life of open scorn and ridicule.

OK dude, the world is not all a sports driven event.  Because Barry Bonds will not make the Hall of Fame, justice is not served under oath.

The message is that when sworn in a court or a hearing that the truth needs to come out -- or simply shut up.  Clemens was not compelled to testify; He could have declined the opportunity.

Journalists speculate why Clemens might have distorted the truth (which we don't really know that he did). The Rocket is NOT delusional.  Clemens knows reality; he does not think green men are bugging his cell phone.

However like other powerful men, acclimated to power and adulation, the narcissism comes out.  This is a man who didn't attend spring training, who flew in his own plane to games.  He didn't play by team rules, and thus why should he play by the usual rules common non-VIPs observe?  (who would pose with his wife for skimpy photo shoots without a huge measure of narcissism?)

Bonds too, suffered from the VIP-adulation-power narcissism where he demanded public attention and worship.  Rules are for mortals, not gods like Clemens and Bonds.  Same reason that John Edwards, Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton, George Bush etc etc.  Power, Visibility, Sex...

Imagine if John Edwards were President today...

Cheating be it like Tiger Woods or John Edwards infidelity sense, or with PEDs in the Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens sense is understandable when you look at the aggressiveness of these men.

The cheating may lead to certain consequences, however the cover-up really torpedo these guys.

Should Clemens be indicted?  IDK, however one could predict that Congress will protect the matter of truthfulness under oath.

Harold Connelly dies: Olympic champion and early steroid pioneer

Former Olympian Harold Connolly died at 79 last week.  He died in the gym, with his boots on.

Connolly lived a full and interesting life as documented in the New York Times. He was an Olympic hammer throw champion, a man involved in a huge international controversy based on love, and an early user of anabolic steroids.

In 1991, during a relaxed and lubricated private dinner, I said to Harold Connolly, winner of the 1956 Olympic hammer throw and a perennial world and United States champion: “It’s all timing. If you’d been born later, taken steroids, you could have won a few more gold medals.”

He looked at me incredulously. “You kidding? I was using after 1960. We all were.”

Connolly recognized aggressiveness as a steroids side effect:

When I first met Harold at a Randalls Island track meet in 1966, I didn’t suspect that his crusty demeanor, generally ascribed to fierce competitiveness and self-consciousness about his arm, was probably made even edgier by drugs. Surly that day, he tried to psych out the young hammer thrower who eventually beat him, and he was dismissive when I asked him about reports that he had subverted the youngster’s Olympic training with misinformation.

Twenty-five years later, at that boozy dinner, and then again last October, in a long, sober interview, he admitted that drugs were certainly heightening his “aggressiveness” back then, which he still felt was their only significant downside for older athletes. Harold was against punitive testing, which he thought did no good (“Most of the athletes I have known would do anything short of killing themselves to improve performance”), and he had come around to oppose drugs for youngsters, although I was never sure whether he really thought there were dangers to developing brains and bodies or whether he was finally being politic. 

Connolly relates a day when to achieve at the highest level in the Olympic field events, anabolic steroids was required:

It was after watching American doctors routinely give athletes testosterone injections that Harold decided he could use a little help, too. He started with one or two 10-milligram tablets a day of Dianabol along with proteins. When that had no discernible effect, he moved on to Winstrol and other drugs in “stacking” combinations. It was a standard regimen in the days before testing and prohibition.

As he later told a Senate subcommittee: “I learned that larger doses and more prolonged use increased muscular body weight, overall strength, and aggressiveness, but not speed, flexibility or coordination. My vertical jump went up but so did my blood pressure and cholesterol levels.” 

He had plenty of teammates with whom to compare notes. He remembered that during the 1968 Olympic trials, many athletes “had so much scar tissue and so many puncture holes in their backsides that it was difficult to find a fresh spot to give them a new shot.” 

Although he had some reservations (“Every time I felt unusual physical reactions, a twinge here a twinge there, a headache, disrupted sleep or diminished libido, I retreated from the testosterone or steroids — too apprehensive to take them regularly.”) they were not enough to preclude offering his seven children drug advice in pursuit of their athletic careers. Apparently, they didn’t want to use or they listened to Harold’s second wife, Pat Connolly, a three-time Olympian and coach, whose opposition to drugs has been fierce and unrelenting.

Connolly argued that pro athletes should be allowed to use PEDs.  However like most of these arguments he likely didn't understand the pragmatic issues involved: at what dose, for what period of time, for what indications, and who will pay the malpractice insurance?  (American medicine does not approve medications willy nilly; double blind, controlled research studies are required for EACH indication and EACH compound.  There are not even the preliminary studies on these drugs to begin to delineate the benefits and risks.)

“Pro athletes who can pay for medical guidance should take steroids,” he said. “They can give fans a better performance, a nice luxury. The argument against it is that they are role models and kids will find the black market.

“But the danger factor is ridiculous. How about Nascar and boxers and football players, even without drugs? Maybe some good will come from all this fuss. We’ll find out more about drugs, like we found out more about alcohol and marijuana.”

The romance?  Connolly pursued a Czech discus athlete despite the cold war:

He’s been appropriately celebrated as a role model for disabled athletes (he was born with a withered left arm) and as a lead in one of sports’ most romantic love stories (he married Olga Fikotova of Czechoslovakia, the ’56 Olympic discus winner) but he should also be appreciated as a complex and seminal elder of the Age of Enhancement.

Roger Clemens indicted for obstruction of justice during Congressional steroids hearing in 2008

In a House of Representatives chamber in 2008, Roger Clemens assured the gathered congressmen that he never took steroids.  US federal attorneys are accusing Clemens of not representing the truth in his testimony.  (from the AP)

Roger Clemens was vehement: "Let me be clear. I have never taken steroids or HGH," he told a House committee in 2008. Now, instead of the Hall of Fame, baseball's seven-time Cy Young winner could go to prison after being indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for allegedly lying to Congress.

The case writes a new chapter in one of baseball's worst scandals, the rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs in the 1990s and early 2000s, and leaves Clemens' legacy in jeopardy.

The six-count indictment alleges that Clemens obstructed a congressional inquiry with 15 different statements made under oath, including denials that he had ever used steroids or human growth hormone.

Virginia Congressman Tom Davis relates this about the Rocket:

"Clemens was not under subpoena. He came voluntarily," Davis said. "And I sat there in the office with (committee chairman) Henry Waxman and said, 'Whatever you do, don't lie.'"

Clemens was sticking to his story Thursday. He insisted he was telling the truth, again denying any wrongdoing on or off the field.

Through his lawyer, the veteran Rusty Hardin, Clemens claims  he neither lied, nor took HGH or steroids.  Clemens turned down a plea bargain.

Clemen's ex-trainer Brian McNamee reports he administered PEDs to the Rocket.  One would think that the Government has ascertained other witnesses or other evidence to Clemens' PED use.

Baseball's Mitchell Report mentioned Clemens a few times -- like 82.

WADA underwhelmed with MLB's HGH test plans

WADA boss John Fahey says major league baseball's new HGH testing program needs to grow some.  Fahey criticizes MLB hard for dragging feet on PED use. 

Not to mix apples and baseballs, MLB and other professional sports owner to different music than the Olympic sports.  Owner, unions, and local authorities all complicate the pro sports PED testing.

Major League Baseball announced plans last month to begin testing for HGH in the minor leagues, but that's not enough for the World Anti-Doping Agency. John Fahey, the head of the agency, said Monday that the sport's integrity was at stake, and that if the league doesn't bring their testing up to WADA specifications that fans will eventually stop coming to the ballpark.

"Baseball is the most recalcitrant (American sport league)," he said. "You had the Mitchell inquiry and clear and concise recommendations from it and they effectively did nothing."

Fahey's frustration seems to stem mostly from the fact that the NFL works fairly closely with the agency while developing it's drug policy, while baseball's rarely solicits the organization's advice. The truth is that the league has stiffened the policy greatly in the last 10 years and it will again come up for debate when the current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2011 season.

Court of Arbitration for Sports reduces Italian Gianni Da Ros's cycling suspension from 20 years to 4 years

Think of all the cyclists who doped themselves into oblivion including Floyd Landis, Alejandro Valverde, Tyler "Chimera" Hamilton, Ivan Basso, David Millar, and Bernhard Kohl.  How many years suspension did these elite world class athletes receive?  Couple generally.

Consider 23 year-old Italian cyclists Gianni Da Ros.  This skinny kid was nailed with a number of PEDs, apparently including HGH, and most likley an EPO.  What length ban did he receive?  20 years!!!  Twenty -- that's right.

The CAS rescinded 16 of those years the other day.  Perhaps when this kid can compete again, he can pack on some weight.

Italian Gianni Da Ros will not have to serve a 20-year suspension for trafficking in banned substances, the Court of Arbitration for Sport decided.

The court partially upheld the appeal by Da Ros, who asked to have the ban reduced to two years.

Da Ros was arrested in March, 2009 as part of a large operation by the Italian police to stop the distribution of doping products in fitness clubs.

In November, 2009, the Anti-Doping Tribunal of the National Olympic Committee of Italy (CONI) found him guilty of several WADA code violations, including the use, possession, trafficking and administration of banned substances and imposed a 20-year ban.

The CAS said it "confirmed the existence of the infractions committed by the Athlete", which reportedly included the use and distribution of Human Growth Hormone.

However, the court "considered that a twenty-year ban was not justified and has reduced it to a period of four years which corresponds to the standard suspension provided by Article 10.3.2 of the World Anti-Doping Code."

Da Ros will be eligible to race again March 11, 2013...

What is the saying...The NCAA was mad at Kentucky so put Eastern Carolina on suspension...

Jose Juiced Canseco injected into Texas minor league team

Juiced author and broke entrepreneur Jose Canseco will report to a Texas minor team -- the Laredo Broncos.  Apparently Canseco cannot sell enough steroid books to cover his  bills.

Note the comment by the league president.  He thinks that having a washed up irresponsible ex-major league All-Start is a league highlight.  Celebrity once again trumps intelligence.

LAREDO, Texas -- Jose Canseco has signed a contract with an independent minor-league team in south Texas.

The 46-year-old Canseco, a central figure in baseball's steroid era, was introduced Monday as a member of the Laredo Broncos -- one of six teams in the United Baseball League.

Canseco says he'll play designated hitter, serve as a bench coach and pitch for the team. He'll play in Laredo's remaining six home games this season.

The former slugger named names and detailed steroid use around major league baseball in two memoirs. In one, he admitted using steroids and claimed that up to 85 percent of players also did.

Canseco hit 462 home runs in 17 major league seasons. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1986 and MVP in 1988, after he hit 42 home runs and stole 40 bases.

"My first step was getting back into the game, in whatever way, shape and form," Canseco said. "I don't know how I'll perform physically, since I'm 46 and haven't played at this level in a long time. We'll see what happens."

Byron Pierce, the UBL president, said luring Canseco was "one of the highlights of our league."

In the 1960s there was a TV series about Texas Rangers called 'Laredo' staring William Smith.  Smith looks like he could have taken Canesco. 

Will Connecticut elect the steroids WWE fighting-senator, Linda McMahon?

Voters in Connecticut decided to run WWE executive Linda McMahon against Connecticut AG Richard Blumenthal.  Mrs. McMahon funded her campaign with generous amounts of cash from her personal fortune.

McMahon's husband Vince McMahon is the chief exec of the WWE and is a widely known and admitted friend and user of steroids.  Why not have Mrs McMahon join government as the steroids senator..we have at least one steroids governor in California...(the Wall Street Journal)

 Democrats picked the former mayor of Stamford as their best hope to win the Connecticut governor's mansion for the first time since 1986, while wealthy wrestling executive Linda McMahon will take on Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in the race for the state's open U.S. Senate seat.

Mrs. McMahon will have a hard fight in this heavily Democratic state. But her vow to spend up to $50 million of her own money on her campaign will make her a formidable opponent to Mr. Blumenthal, who has had a strong but narrowing lead in recent polls.

The race will likely continue to receive intense national attention, as an upset by Mrs. McMahon in the race for the seat held by retiring Sen. Christopher Dodd would help tip the balance of power in the Senate toward the Republicans.

BALCO investigator Jeff Novitzky aims scope at Lance Armstrong

The AP reports BALCO investigator and Barry Bond's good buddy Jeff Novitzky will lead the investigation of Lance Armstrong's cycling antics in the near future.  Armstrong would likely rather have the IRS invite him to a weekend picnic at Alcatraz.

He's been called high-minded, a trailblazing lawman and "America's top steroid cop."

For someone who does his best work behind the scenes, federal agent Jeff Novitzky is hardly a stranger to the spotlight. And depending on the results of an ongoing investigation into the sometimes-shadowy world of pro cycling, he could soon become better-known still.

After hounding home-run king Barry Bonds for years and wringing a confession from Olympic sprinter Marion Jones, Novitzky is leading an investigation that has questioned sponsors and examined claims from former teammates of Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion. A grand jury has been seated in Los Angeles to hear evidence in the investigation over the coming weeks and months, and Armstrong sponsors Trek Bicycle Corp. and Nike each said Friday that they've been contacted by federal agents.

"I'm just glad he ain't after me," said attorney Richard Emery. "He is a nightmare for anyone that's he's focused on."

Brian Cushing: Overtrained and Disingenous. Stakes claim on over-training producing his hcg level; Also notes pigs fly

Houston Texan ROY linebacker Brian Cushing, long thought the be a juicer at USC and in the NFL, and nailed with a positive PED test last spring is claiming 'overtrained athlete syndrome' affected his hormone status.  Cushing also claimed that pigs fly and that the moon is made of green cheese.

Cushing tested positive of HCG, a hormone of pregnancy that supports testosterone when anabolic steroids are discontinued for say, PED testing.  The NFL's Rook of the Year (yes we meant that) will sit out 4 games in 2010 in the steroid time out box.

There is a literature on Over-Training, which happens when a athlete stresses his body to a degree he cannot recover.  The athlete's stress level is high; his HPA axis (hypothalmaic-pituitary-adrenal) can be messed up too.  However, Brian Cushing needs to understand HCG isn't included in this deal...hormones like cortisone and testosterone may test somewhat abnormal.

Texan's owner Bob McNair will foolishly appeal to the NFL front office to rescind Cushing's suspension.  While that indicates the owner supports his players, it also indicates Cushing is willing to maintain a fabrication while his owner humiliates himself.

Count us as very annoyed that a steroid-cheat like Cushing not only attains his career advancement by cheating, but continues to deceive caring people about his PED cheating.  Cushing should fess up to the ch...there is only so much BS that is acceptable.  Save others from the humiliation of defending your nefarious actions.  That, or you were pregnant.  (of course he can divulge all in his port-career book: Brain Cushing, Confessions of an Over-Trained and Dis-Ingenous Athlete)

Here is a legitimate abstract on the condition after the jump:

With home run #600, A-Rod becomes A-Fraud?

Everyone knew it was coming...Alex Rodriguez's 600th home run.  Following the revelation of his steroid and PED use, among other bad behaviors, time provided sufficient opportunity to discuss his achievements and his misadventures.  Why then does the Boston Herald declare this a controversy?

On Wednesday, Alex Rodriguez became the seventh player to reach the 600-home run level. He was the youngest to do it and is on a path that easily could give him another 163 homers, and the all-time record, before his contract ends in 2017.

Yet Rodriguez’s milestone home run wasn’t a big event outside of New York. It was more of an interruption in stories about the start of NFL camps and the deterioration of Tiger Woods’ short game.How would this have been played if Rodriguez had not wound up on the list of players who tested positive for steroids in 2003?

Why should anyone be surprised about A-Rod as the youngest player to meet the 600 HR platform?  He likely was more exposed to PEDs and at an earlier age.  He was banging out 50 home runs a year in Texas and Seattle as a young player during the apex of baseball's steroids era.

Can anyone quantify the boost PEDs put into A-ROd's bat (a few years ago writers were suggesting that there was no evidence that 'roiding even helped power hitter, a bit like suggesting Hurricane Katrina really wasn't all that devastating).

Someone could develop regression equations to pare down A-Rod's home run totals to speculative HRs without juice.  Why bother when your lifetime home run leader-- Barry Bonds -- awaits trial on steroids charges in the BALCO scandal.

Obviously A-Rod reached the plateau by cheating, cheating the game the fans, the pitchers, and his fellow players.  Does anyone really have anything to add beyond that?

World Antidoping Agency (WADA) to come down on International Cycling Union (UCI) for possible dope testing cover-ups

Before getting shoved off pager one by the Hewlett-Packard CEO sex-scandal the Wall Street Journal reported that WADA was looking closing at the international body governing pro cycling -- UCI.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said it has decided to step up its oversight of drug testing in professional cycling amid concerns that the sport has failed to aggressively police itself. David Howman, WADA's director general, said that in the last three weeks, the organization has taken steps to allow its staff to begin monitoring the blood and urine profiles of the sport's elite riders that are collected through the sport's Biological Passport program—and to push for sanctions when necessary. "Our job is to make sure the system isn't being sidestepped," Mr. Howman said. "We have the right of intervening if we think cases aren't being prosecuted appropriately."

The move reflects a growing concern in the antidoping community that the International Cycling Union, or UCI, the governing body of the sport which is charged with administering the Passport program, has not been following procedures correctly and is not doing a satisfactory job of cracking down on cheating.

WADA remains concerned that the UCI is shielding guilty cyclists from exposure when their biological samples test positive for drugs.  Shocking that anyone think pro cyclists would cheat, or that officials would look the other way.  (shocking if you are incredibly naive)

This person said antidoping officials are particularly concerned about the status of five professional riders who were flagged for doping in December but have not yet been sanctioned by the UCI. The riders, whose names are known only to the UCI, were determined to be doping by an independent committee of nine scientists and experts that was appointed by the UCI to review data from blood and urine tests.

The person said at least two members of the panel have voiced concerns that the UCI may be disregarding these positive tests or shielding guilty riders from punishment.

Padres acquire 'roider Tejada

In an interesting twist, the San Diego Padres (remember a Padre is a priest) acquired Miguel Tejada, the juiced, who lied in front of Congress about the issue.

Padres eh?

Must need a team leader there...imagine if your employer hired a person who lied to Congress about anything.

The NL West-leading San Diego Padres obtained infielder Miguel Tejada and cash from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday in exchange for Double-A right-hander Wynn Pelzer. Tejada was scratched from the Orioles' lineup before their game Thursday night at Kansas City. The trade was announced a short time later. Tejada is hitting .269 with seven homers and 39 RBIs. The former AL MVP can play shortstop and third base. He has appeared in 93 games in the field this season, all at third base, after having played shortstop in each of his previous 1,846 games.

A-Rod heats up MLB steroids controversy with #600 looming

Let's get the dope straight...nonprescription use if anabolic steroids is/was/will ILLEGAL.  The history was long ago documented here.  So why do writers continue to be wrong about this?

Anabolic steroids are controlled substances.  Nonprescription use is as illegal as using Valium or amphetamines without a prescription.  Sales outside the legal sales chain is likewise a felony.  Why can't people understand that?  From The Bleacher Report:

PEDs have, unfortunately, became a part of baseball. Its gotten so bad that there is an era, known as the Steroid Era, that defines the time in which steroid usage was at its peak. We will really never know how many players actually used steroids before, during, or after the Steroid Era.

The problem with PEDs and baseball is it is impossible to quantify how much PEDs helped players' performance. I heard one person say that at least 100 of A-Rod's home runs shouldn't be counted due to his steroid use, while another thought that since A-Rod hit 91 home runs while in Texas (he admitted to steroid use from 2001-2003 while he played for the Rangers), those 91 homers shouldn't count.

I have a big problem with that thinking. If you are going to diminish home runs, it has to be all or nothing. It is impossible to say whether or not steroids aided any of those home runs that A-Rod hit. In fact, there are actually a lot more factors that affect home runs than just PEDs. Here are just a few of several factors:

• Technology: Baseball bats have come a long way since the dawn of baseball. Now, bats are quite a technological marvel, and the bigger and better sweet spots allow for more power out of the swing. Imagine how many home runs Babe Ruth could have hit if he used the bats that players use today!

• Technology (part 2): Training (without PEDs) is so advanced at this point that players are bigger and stronger than ever. When comparing the accomplishments of players now to players in the early 1900s, it really is like comparing apples to oranges. Yet, we still need to name a home run king in all of baseball history. Is that fair?
• Stadiums: In just New York, the two stadiums are polar opposites. Yankee Stadium is notoriously small, while Citi Field is notoriously large. Can you say that some "cheap" home runs in Yankee Stadium are diminished because they would not have been a home run in any other park? Can you diminish the statistics of players who played in Coors Field when balls were flying out of there before they kept the baseballs in humidors?

The point is, there are a lot more contextual factors that go into records and statistics than just PEDs. If we don't diminish statistics for other factors, we can't for steroids. I know that steroids are an illegal substance, but at the height of the steroid era, they weren't banned by baseball. I really can't blame the players for using PEDs to get any advantage they can, in a game as competitive as baseball, while using PEDs wasn't illegal. Can you?

If the writer is in college he should check his logic.  Illegal is illegal.  If murdering your wife isn't prohibited by baseball, it remains illegal (kicks the dog here in frustration).

Perhaps worse than the failure to appreciate the law, would be the consistent rationalizations for cheating.  Cheating is cheating, there are no excuses.  Considering the widespread cheating in college, and in general, people must b very skillful in scheming excuses. Should your banker steal money from your account because he needed a new car?  He can rationalize it...this paragraph is morally disgusting.

I don't want to condone players using illegal substances, but I can't blame them either. As a college student, I liken the use of PEDs to the use of Adderall, or any other study drug. Due to the rigor of college, tons of students illegally take the perscription drug Adderall like it's no big deal, to study better. It's impossible to know how much better of grades students get from taking Adderall, though, or how many students actually take a study drug. You can't say that a student really got a 3.4 GPA, when his/her transcript says 3.7 and he/her took Adderall. Same thing with steroids.

When it comes to study drugs, there is no testing by colleges for it, so you can't really blame students for trying to get any advantage they can. Same as in baseball, before PEDs were illegal, all players did was try to get any advantage they could.

Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog: MLB allowed stroids to juice the game

In the Daily Herald Barry Rvvner quotes new HOFer Whitey Herzog on steroid and PED use in baseball.  Herzog discusses the attendance factor, the envy factor, and the cheat the old timers factor (assuming they were clean.

Back in the early '90s, it was always amusing when the Athletics got off their team bus in spring training and walked past the Cubs' dugout.

Inevitably, at least one Cubs player would say, "There goes the Oakland Raiders again."

That's how big the Mark McGwire/Jose Canseco Athletics were, and it wasn't just the big boppers.

It was a monstrous team, one that didn't go unnoticed by Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog, who had his own take on steroids this past weekend and remembered when several NFL and MLB teams inhabited the same facilities.

"I think you have to look at the baseball teams that shared stadiums with the football teams," Herzog said, while not specifically naming the Athletics, since the Raiders were in L.A. from 1982 to 1996. "There's a lot of cities where they worked together in the training rooms. The football players were going from 250 to 335 and they got faster.

"Baseball players watched that and next thing you know they had something going.

"I was fortunate I didn't have to manage during the steroid era. I managed during the drug era. I had players with problems. Everybody knows that.

"I often wonder how many games we lost as managers in the '80s because of drugs. But by the same token I wonder how many victories managers got in the '90s because of steroids."

Herzog pointed to the work stoppages of 1990 and 1994 as another factor in the performance-enhancing explosion.

"Baseball was down after the strike and McGwire gets all those home runs (in 1998) and it brought baseball back," Herzog said. "Everybody goes back to the ballparks. So maybe that's where the mistake was made.

"If they stopped it then, maybe we wouldn't have the situation we got. I don't know the answer to that.

"Baseball looked the other way because they didn't want attendance to fall. I don't think it was right, and I don't like that a lot of records were broken. It's hurt a lot of retired players trying to get here (to Cooperstown), and I think it's just plain wrong.''

Dishonest WWE diva Dawn doped too

The Daily Examiner says a WWE groupie not only is accused of embezzlement, but that she juiced her physique as well as her bank account:

Did steroids make Dawn Marie allegedly embezzle funds from her own “charitable” organization aimed at helping retired wrestlers with medical and other expenses? Well, Dawn Marie admitted to using the drugs while in the WWE according to the Connecticut Post newspaper. If this is a precursor to an excuse for what she has been accused of, a lame attempt at diminished capacity due to excessive drug abuse, then it is a lousy escape attempt.

Anabolic steroids change behavior (news flash) but generally do not thought to enhance financial fraud.  Then again, a case could be made for some Bipolar mania exacerbated by the drugs.

Gone but not forgotten: Feds close in on Armstrong doping

As everyone (except me, because I have taken a break) knows Lance Armstrong retired from the Tour de France (TDF, or Take da Fraud considering the drug scandals) but apparently US Prosecutors continue to ride on.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Feds continue to be interested in Armstrong's performance boosters.

Federal prosecutors handling an investigation into cheating in professional cycling have subpoenaed documents from an arbitration case that sought to prove that Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs.

The documents contain depositions from former teammates and associates of the seven-time Tour de France champion during a period when a promotions company was trying to prove that Mr. Armstrong employed banned drugs and practices—known as doping—during his cycling career.

Jeffrey Tillotson, the attorney who represented the company, SCA Promotions Inc., in the arbitration hearings, said it received a subpoena for the records on July 16. He is preparing to send the files to the federal prosecutors in Los Angeles who are handling the investigation, he said.

We love the next paragraph about PEDs generally not being illegal.  Oh yeah?  That's patently ridiculous.  There is a difference between using an illegal prescription drug for non-indicated reasons, or abusing a controlled substance, and the public's or the law enforcement's general lazy disregard of the abuse.

Mr. Armstrong has repeatedly denied doping allegations and has not been charged with any wrongdoing.Using performing-enhancing techniques in sports is generally not against the law in the U.S. But federal prosecutors could make the case that Mr. Armstrong defrauded investors by accepting sponsorship dollars with the understanding that he would not use the drugs, if they prove that he doped.

In our view the problems pursing Armstrong remain several:

• He has build up a great 'feel good' following with his charitable works
• He could have taken prescribed drugs legally, for instance androgens as replacement following cancer
  
• People close their eyes when an idol is tainted...evidence ESPN's Stewart Scott's lovefest about Armstrong on the eve when the TdF ended Sunday.  He pointed out a small but vocal minority object to LS's drug use.  Golly gee...

Floyd Landis comes dirty over 'roids use in Cycling and Tour de France

Obviously we have been out of the doping scene over the past few weeks, but what a time to come back.  Hot stories on Floyd Landis, Lance Armstrong, Brian Cushing.  Interesting but weren't these controversial names a few years back with much vitriol spewed at those who would ever consider these athletes cheated.

The Landis story broke late Wednesday (ESPN) when he admitted to years of PED (EPO , blood doping, and steroids) use.

LANDIS: "I WANT TO CLEAR MY CONSCIENCE"

In a lengthy phone interview last night with ESPN.com's Bonnie Ford, cyclist Floyd Landis admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs for most of his career, including in 2006 when he tested positive and was stripped of his Tour de France victory and handed a two-year ban from the sport. "I want to clear my conscience,'' he said. "I don't want to be part of the problem any more.'' Landis also confirmed that he sent emails to cycling and anti-doping officials over the past few weeks, implicating dozens of other athletes, including Lance Armstrong, team management and owners, as well as officials of the sport's national and international governing bodies. ESPN is seeking further evidence and comment from those individuals. Meanwhile, the head of cycling's world governing body questions Landis' credibility, telling The Associated Press that Landis is "seeking revenge" and holds a "grudge" against Lance Armstrong and others.

The Landis email are excerpted here by ESPN.  He admitted to at least EPO as well as implicated Armstrong.

Of course there will be the Armstrong defenders, as if no one learns the lessons from history on athlete denials over 'roids and PEDs.

Big Mac confirms Big Stack: Mark McGwire admits to anabolic steroid use

Apparently trying to avoid a multitude of controversy, The new Cardinal batting coach -- former slugger Mark McGwire -- has released a statement to the press admitting his anabolic PED use.  All is forgiven, welcome home to mother St Louis Mark McGwire.

Mark McGwire finally came clean Monday, admitting he used steroids when he broke baseball's home run record in 1998.

McGwire said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade.`I wish I had never touched steroids,'' McGwire said in a statement.

``It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era.''

McGwire also used human growth hormone, a person close to McGwire said, speaking on condition of anonymity because McGwire didn't include that detail in his statement.

McGwire's decision to admit using steroids was prompted by his decision to become hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, his final big league team. Tony La Russa, McGwire's manager in Oakland and St. Louis, has been among McGwire's biggest supporters and thinks returning to the field can restore the former slugger's reputation.

``I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come,'' McGwire said. ``It's time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected.'' He became the second major baseball star in less than a year to admit using illegal steroids, following the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez last February.

American loves a reformed (fill in the blank).  For example Elliott Spitzer is working his way up the business world again, and Martha Stewart is decorating with renewed aplomb.

Perhaps Bernie Madoff could come completely clean about cheating his clients out of billions of dollars then be allowed to serve as SEC commissioner.

While it is true McGwire deserves a commendation for admitting past steroid sins, it is also true that his baseball statistics are simply a fraud.  Any Big Mac career total of offensive stats are frankly a sham.

If a scientist who cheated on cancer research admits that his research was actually fraudulent, would those publications continue to  be allowed as a reference?  (now that depends on his standing and power in the scientific community)

McGwire cheated his sport (and not talking of the merits of PEDs here) and thus should probably be banned as a participant in the sport in the future.  He is a cheat, and now an admitted one.  That may seen harsh, but if baseball has integrity, then cheaters should not  be trusted to participate in any future MLB activities.

Any allowance of an admitted steroid cheat like McGwire means MLB tells us that rules, and that integrity are simply not valued in their world. 

Sports fraud laws should be enacted to punish the cheaters; otherwise a fan should believe nothing about the athletes on the field other that they will destroy the rules as the PED fraud fest continues on.

Sorry, Mark McGwire, but you used steroids to cheat your fellow athletes, an action not all of the MLB conspired in.  You cannot wish away the facts, but you can continue to bask in the stats you put up by cheating.

Will Michael Vick be dogged about steroids dealer association?

The Smoking Gun presents documents detailing alleged questioning Michael Vick underwent concerning a relationship with a known steroids dealer. 

A Drug Enforcement Administration informant told agents that Michael Vick once spoke about steroids and human growth hormone with a dealer, telling the man that he "liked his product," The Smoking Gun has learned. When questioned about the informant's claim, the football star told federal investigators that the conversation never happened and stated that he "never used steroids or any type of human growth hormones," according to an investigative memo released in response to a TSG Freedom of Information Act request.

First, why allow a player who apparently was pathetically cruel to dependent animals on the NFL field?  Forget the steroid charges for a moment.  Reminds us of how irritated we were listening to Brent Musburger extol the convicted felon father of Alabama running back Michael Ingram during the national championship game.  Apparently human interest stories extend to felonious and antisocial behaviors of athletes these days.  'Win one for the Gangster'.

The document, a copy of which you'll find below, recounts an October 2007 interview with Vick that was attended by federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and Department of Agriculture investigators (the Vick debriefing was one of several conducted after the athlete pleaded guilty to federal dog fighting charges). Along with being questioned about killing dogs and whether other NFL players were involved in dog fighting, Vick was questioned about information provided by the DEA source. A federal prosecutor asked Vick about a December 2006 Atlanta Falcons team party during which the alleged conversation about steroids occurred. "Vick was reportedly overheard telling" the dealer (whose name was redacted from the memo) that he "liked his product," according to the Memorandum of Interview prepared by a case agent with the Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General.

It would not be  surprising that an athlete who abuses animals would also abuse the rules of sportsmanship.  If you forget what Vick as convicted of by the feds here is a review:

Other memos released as part of the TSG FOIA request recount interviews with confidential witnesses who helped agents build a federal case against the athlete. One source recalled selling Vick three pit bulls and "1/2 ounce of marijuana (weed)." A second witness told of seeing Vick and two cronies "shooting dogs and killing them with a shovel," and "breaking a dog's back and neck by slamming the dog to the ground until it was dead." The witness, whose name was redacted from the May 2007 interview report, added that Vick and his pals appeared to get an "adenaline high" from killing the animals.

Interest turns to Tiger Woods PED use: Links to Canadian doping doctor noted

Anyone who knows PEDs knows one of the side effects of anabolic steroid use is a heightened libido.  Testosterone is the fuel of the sex drive in males and females.  The East German Doping machine produced some very hyper-sexual swimmers.   And when one thinks of recent athletes who appear to have a huge libido...one has to consider the use of an anabolic steroids that may induce such a hyperactive drive.

The athlete clearly in the public eye these days is disgraced pro golfer Tiger Woods.  Today named the athlete of the decade (apparently using exploits only on the golf course as a criterion), Woods appears to sport a prodigious libido.

A Canadian doctor called a 'pioneer' appears to be the go to man in several athletes with questionable physical feats (The New York Times)

A Canadian doctor who has treated many N.F.L. players as well as Olympic medalists like Donovan Bailey and the world’s top golfer, Tiger Woods, is under criminal investigation in the United States. He is suspected of providing athletes with performance-enhancing drugs, according to several people who have been briefed on the investigation.

The F.B.I. investigation of Dr. Anthony Galea, a sports medicine specialist who has treated hundreds of professional athletes across many sports, follows his arrest on Oct. 15 in Toronto by the Canadian police. Human growth hormone and Actovegin, a drug extracted from calf’s blood, were found in his medical bag at the United States-Canada border in late September. Using, selling or importing Actovegin is illegal in the United States.

Dr. Galea is also being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for smuggling, advertising and selling unapproved drugs as well as criminal conspiracy. He is tentatively scheduled to appear in a Canadian courtroom on Friday.

Activegin, a calf blood derivative, has been known as a blood doping agent among cyclists.  Gary Wadler says this about the substances activity:

In research studies, Actovegin has been shown to exert insulin-like activity, such as stimulating the transport of glucose in the body, as well as glucose oxidation.

That could be good news for athletes, Wadler says. "Athletes are always looking to get more oxygen to working muscles."

''The idea here was to deliver it therapeutically, to improve the transport and use of oxygen and sugar," he says...

(to the Times:)

The United States Anti-Doping Agency has developed “intelligence” that athletes are using Actovegin to attempt to improve performance, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Usada asked the World Anti-Doping Agency to ban Actovegin this year but it declined.

Woods consulted with Galea following his knee surgury in 2008.  Galea, who of course claims he is spotless *any professional ever claim to be corrupt?) has a checkered history:

Dr. Galea has developed a reputation among elite athletes for accelerating recovery after surgery or for helping them avoid surgery altogether by using a blood-spinning technique known as platelet-rich plasma therapy, as well as other pioneering procedures, on knees, elbows and Achilles’ tendons.

Although he said he prescribed human growth hormone to some patients in his general practice and had used it himself for 10 years, Dr. Galea, 50, said in an interview that he had never treated professional athletes with H.G.H.

Dr. Galea said Mr. Woods was referred to him by the golfer’s agents at Cleveland-based International Management Group, who were alarmed at the slow pace of Mr. Woods’s rehabilitation after knee surgery in June 2008. The doctor said he flew to Orlando, Fla., at least four times to give Mr. Woods the platelet therapy at his home in Windermere, Fla., in February and March of this year. When asked for comment about Mr. Woods’s involvement with Dr. Galea, Mark Steinberg, of I.M.G., responded in an e-mail message: “I would really ask that you guys don’t write this? If Tiger is NOT implicated, and won’t be, let’s please give the kid a break.”

Dr. Galea’s legal problems began in late September when his assistant was stopped entering the United States from Canada. Her car was searched by border-crossing guards and authorities found Dr. Galea’s medical bag, which contained four drugs, including human growth hormone, Dr. Galea said. “It was for my own use,” he said.

Galea was raided in Canada:

As part of his practice, Dr. Galea said he prescribed human growth hormone to patients 40 and over to improve their stamina when working out and to combat fatigue, among other health benefits.

“The authorities here and elsewhere have it wrong,” Mr. Greenspan said. “They don’t understand the medical aspects.”

Prescribing human growth hormone is legal in Canada but approved in the United States only for a few specific uses that do not include hastening recovery from surgery or injury. In the world of sports, under World Anti-Doping Association guidelines, H.G.H. is banned though not widely tested for because it requires a blood test. The N.F.L., the N.H.L., the N.B.A. and Major League Baseball do not test for H.G.H.

No, the police may not know unsubstantiated claim, doc, but some professionals do...ethical ones.

However, athletes will do anything they can to obtain an dedge in competition, ethical or not, proved or not.  And Galea apparently has a database of interesting athletes including the 2008 controversial swimmer Dana Torres, who defies gravity with her performances.

“Ten years from now, they are going to say, wow, this guy was a pioneer,” Dr. Lindsay said in a recent phone interview. “That’s the unfortunate thing.”

Dr. Galea blames his current legal problems on his success rate.

“All these athletes come see me in Canada cause I fix them, and I think people just assume that I’m giving them stuff,” he said. “They don’t have to come to me to get H.G.H. and steroids. You can walk into your local gym in New York and get H.G.H.”

The N.F.L. quarterback Chris Simms and wide receiver Javon Walker swear by him. In March, Dr. Galea arranged for Mr. Walker to have cartilage-replacement surgery on his knee in Jerusalem because the procedure is not approved in the United States or Canada. Mr. Walker said the recovery time was half what it would have been if he had had the procedure doctors recommended in the United States.

“He’s a person who just wants to help and heal,” Walker said. “And the world is going to soon know about him.”

The Olympic swimmer Dara Torres said she sought out Dr. Galea to help diagnose the cause of continuing pain in her knee earlier this year. “He found a tear in my quad tendon that was undiagnosed,” Torres said in an e-mail message. “Excluding draining my knee, he has never treated me, but I did see his chiropractor who did soft-tissue work on my leg. That was the extent of my visit with him.”

The Times recounts Galea's treatment of Woods this way:

Dr. Lindsay said he led Mr. Woods’s rehabilitation team after the golfer’s June 2008 surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament. In addition to Dr. Lindsay, who is best known for overseeing Alex Rodriguez’s rehabilitation from hip surgery last spring, the Woods team included Dr. Galea and a Vermont-based strength coach named Bill Knowles.

Dr. Lindsay said he worked with Mr. Woods at his home throughout his eight-month rehabilitation. The work included strength training, conditioning and exercises in a swimming pool, Dr. Lindsay said.

In February, discouraged by the lack of progress, Dr. Lindsay asked Dr. Galea to look at Mr. Woods, who was suffering from patellar tendinitis and had scarring in the muscle. “It’s common after the A.C.L. to have tendinitis,” Dr. Lindsay said. “And the P.R.P. helped.”

Dr. Galea said he treated Mr. Woods in his home four or five times with a borrowed centrifuge from an Orlando doctor. Each time, he said he drew blood from Woods, spun it to increase the platelets’ count and then injected a small amount directly into Mr. Woods’s left knee.

Two days after the first treatment, Woods texted him, Dr. Galea said: “He said he couldn’t believe how good he feels. He’d joke and say, ‘I can jump up on the kitchen table,’ and I said, ‘Please don’t.’ ”

Dr. Galea said that Mr. Woods stayed in touch, texting him after the British Open in July that his left knee had begun bothering him again. Dr. Galea said he flew to Orlando in early August and gave Mr. Woods P.R.P. therapy for a final time.

Very interesting, which might be an issue with those who regulate PEDs.  Those with money and connections can obtain these 'treatments'.

So what about Woods' recent troubles in term of 'drive' and we don't mean off the tee.  Look at Woods before and after photos.  Think of the side effects of testosterone and anabolic steroids.  Then consider an athlete who has established ties with a physician who says he pushes HGH and other PED treatments.

It's like hitting over 750 home runs...hitting long off the tee, with the subsequent side effects.

Marion Jones's tainted Olympic gold goes to waste, rather than to Katerina Thanou

The New York Times says that Marion Jones's tainted gold medals from Sydney will in part be distributed and in part will rot in purgatory.

Greece's Katerina Thanou will not be elevated to gold, after her second place finish in 2000 in Australia.  Obviously Thanou's behavior in her native Greece  during the 2004 Olympics left a bad taste in the IOC's mouth.  Thus Thanou, who has never tested positive for steroids but whose behavior reeks of a PED cover up, will be ignored in the record books.  Interesting message from the IOC, and not entirely consistent with logic. (but check out Thanou's photo and one sees why she might fit in better with the men's 100M; those are impressive traps for a female)

However in the 200M, the Jones gold wil be awarded to that 2nd place finisher.

 The International Olympic Committee redistributed the medals won by the disgraced sprinter Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympics on Wednesday, but it refused to award her gold medal in the 100 meters to Katerina Thanou of Greece, who was barred from the 2004 Games because of a missed drug test.

Jones surrendered the medals when she admitted in 2007 to lying to federal investigators about performance-enhancing drug use. Normally, the other competitors are moved up in order when medals are surrendered, but Thanou’s later drug testing issues prompted the committee to leave the top spot in the 100 meters vacant. In record books, Thanou and Tanya Lawrence of Jamaica will be listed as silver medalists and Merlene Ottey of Jamaica, who finished fourth in the race, will hold the bronze.

Thanou did not fail a drug test, but she and her teammate Kostas Kenteris missed drug tests  before the 2004 Games in Athens and were kept from competing by Greek Olympic officials after it was determined they had staged a motorcycle crash to cover up their absence. Track and field’s international federation, the I.A.A.F., barred them for two years.

Jones’s gold medal in the 200 meters was awarded to Pauline Davis-Thompson of the Bahamas, with the silver going to Susanthika Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka and the bronze to Beverly McDonald of Jamaica. Jones’s bronze medal in the long jump was given to   Tatyana Kotova of Russia.

Apparently  if the IOC can't catch a drug cheat the first time, they may make a statement some 10 years later...

The fate of the Jones relay medals remains tainted at this point.

The fate of the two medals won by United States relay teams that included Jones in the 2000 Games is still being decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. When those medals were stripped from the American teams by the I.O.C., the other members of the relay appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration, which is expected to issue its ruling by Dec. 18.

Hungarian Olypic class wrestler stung in doping disqualification: Sándor Bárdosi stirs up a hornets nest with doping penalty

Newspapers report Hungarian wrestler Sándor Bárdosi-- once an Olympic wrestling medalist -- lost a recent medal in "Sumo wrestling" following treatment for a wasp sting.

Sumo wrestling world champion Sándor Bárdosi tested positive in a doping test at July's World Games in Taiwan, the National Sports Federation told MTI.

Organisers at the World Games have stripped Bárdosi of his gold medal and fined him €3,000. Former Olympic silver medalist Bárdosi claims that he had been given an injection to treat a wasp sting.

What would cause disqualification?  Usually a sting producing an allergic reaction would be treated with epinephrine, which should be quickly metabolized.  However, it could be that a physician injected prednisone to reduce swelling.

The next report talks about a soccer player with a similar problem,  If these athletes are being harassed for and epi pen, it is ridiculous.  Should the doctor delay treatment for an allergic anaphylactic  reaction before he receives clearance from a bureaucracy?

The organisers of the World Games have decided to strip the wrestler of his gold medal requires him to pay a fine of 3,000 euros, the Hungarian Sumo Federation said.

Bardosi denied the charge, saying that he had been treated for a wasp sting in Kaohsiung.

"The last test I had in Hungary was negative. Just before leaving for Taiwan, however, I was stung by a wasp. Suffering from hand pain, I went to the doctor who gave me an injection and medicine, enabling me to recover by the time of the World Games a week later. Concentrating on the competition, I forgot to mention the affair at the doping test. Anyway, I don't need any doping as I am able to outperform all my opponents," he said.

As a graeco-roman wrestler, Bardosi won a silver medal in the Sydney Olympics nine years ago.

In the Sumo World Games, he triumphed in the under-85 kg, lightweight category.

Italy's world champion soccer player Fabio Cannavaro had a similar wasp bite a few weeks ago. The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) dropped the charge but his club, Juventus, held out the prospect of some sanction as the player should have consulted with CONI before being treated for a wasp sting.

Keep the head down and inject 2 cc of nandrolone: Mark McGwire to be hitting coach at St. Louis

Once again proving that the MLB really at heart doesn't give a  damn about the steroid problem, St Louis Cardinals appear to ready to announce that hermit juicer Mark McGwire will return to the Redbirds as a hitting coach.  Really?  Hits of what...nandrolone. Need to keep the weight shifted back...try Winny.  Topping the ball...HGH.

McGwire - who could not tell the truth about his illicit steroid use to Congress -- brings exactly what teaching skill with him to the Cardinals?  LaRussa's implicit approval of PED use?

To the Biz of Baseball:

Twitter can be a fantastic tool for breaking news, and this may be one of those cases.

Brian McRae posted the following on Twitter, and then pulled it shortly after, but not before several re-tweeted the news:

My dad is out as Cards hitting coach (Hal McRae).....McGwire is in! (as in Mark)-fire it up boys/girls

ESPNewsService is backing the rumor on Twitter. The only tweet left standing by Brian McRae simply reads, "Good 5yr. run with the Redbirds," yet another reference to his father Hal's tenure with the Cardinals.

No word out at this point from the Cardinals, but don't think many aren't hanging wondering whether Mark McGwire moves out from the shadows to become the new hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. Stay tuned.

McGwire has kept a low profile after tearfully testifying before Congress regarding possible steroid use during his career. He has fallen short of the required votes by the baseball writers for inclusion into the Hall of Fame.

The news of McGwire coming back the Cardinals may make some sense. Reports on Sunday have Tony La Russa returning as manager of the team. La Russa managed McGwire with both the Athletics and Cardinals.

Let's stoke up those Pujols is a juicer rumors again...

More injections upcoming

 
 
After an extended absence, we return to needle steroid users in sports and entertainment.  We were crushed by responsibilities at work, were geniuses decided to install new clinical software that has multiplied the time spent documenting clinical information, as well royally messing things up.  It was an 'Epic' decision (some of you know what we are talking about there).

We need to remind ourselves how things work on this blog; spring training all over again.

We see A-Roid is doing well int he playoffs.  Why does no announcer present the problems that A-Rod gives to the ethics of fair competition in this MLB playoff series; then again considering the blown calls in the Yankee's favor t hat may be the least of the issues in the ALCS.

Female nigerian sprinter Amaka Ogoegbunam tests positive for steroids at Berlin world championships

A Nigerian hurdler reportedly tested positive for an anabolic steroid at the Berlin world championships this week.  To the AP:

Nigerian hurdler Amaka Ogoegbunam has tested positive for steroids and has been suspended for the rest of the world championships.

She is the second athlete to fail a drug test at the worlds following steeplechaser Jamal Chatbi of Morocco.

Ogoegbunam was disqualified from the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles Tuesday. Track and field's governing body says Ogoegbunam tested positive for the anabolic steroid metenolone after the race.

The 19-year-old Nigerian also was to have run in the 1,600-meter relay.

'Greatest athlete of all time' -- Usain Bolt -- sets world record time of an 9.58 second 100M in Berlin

Jamaica's Usain Bolt once again lowered the world 100M record by a full 0.10 seconds from his 2008 Beijing Olympics mark to an astonishing 9.58 in the Berlin IAAF world championships yesterday.  Bolt's startling times ignited world controversies about the legitimacy of his mark.  However, controversy is all naysayers have at this point.  Bolt has never tested positive for PEDs, had never been caught in a buy, and has never admitted to illegal drug use.  Nonetheless, obliterating world marks in the 100M with astonishing regularity is such an incredible feat, doubters are working overtime.  (from the Telegraph)

That's what athletic miracles do today. They bring as much suspicion as awe, as much skepticism as joy. Yet, while Bolt was being hailed by the head of world athletics Lamine Diack as the greatest athlete of all time, the subject of all the frenzy, last seen being pursued by screaming fans down Jesse-Owens-Allee outside the stadium, just ignored it all.

A breakdown of the Bolt run goes like this:

It is the "you never know" bit which he knows tantalises us. Yesterday, the biomechanical analysts from the IAAF produced a statistical breakdown of the final which suggested that what we saw in Sunday was Bolt's Bob Beamon moment, a barrier-shattering, never-to-be repeated annihilation of the sport's blue riband record. But you never know...

Eleven hundredths of a second slashed off the mark in one hit was sprinting's equivalent of the moment in Mexico City in 1968 when long jumper Beamon decided to bypass the 28ft barrier altogether as he took the world record to 29ft 2½in with one leap.

But the IAAF's split times confirmed that Bolt's astounding improvement on the 9.69sec record he had set exactly a year earlier in Beijing was due almost entirely to the fact that this time he did not showboat over the last few of his 41½ strides as he had done in China.

He was actually slower over the first 20m than in Beijing (2.89sec to 2.87sec) but what made the vast difference was his lack of concentration as he covered the final 40m in Beijing in 3.37sec. On Sunday, in contrast, he covered the equivalent stretch in 3.27sec, a whole tenth of a second quicker. Between 60m and 80m, he topped 46kph (28.58mph).

There was one quick look right and a glance left towards the clock, so perhaps he could even have gone a fraction quicker but, realistically, there looks to be no section of the race where he can in future trim off more than the odd hundredth of a second at a time. He has just made those $100,000 (£60,700) world-record bonuses hellishly difficult to annex now.

Until proved otherwise, the Bolt record must be considered legitimate.  The athlete apparently has the neuro-muscular development to produce stride frequency times stride length to generate sprint speeds never achieved in recorded history at sanctioned track meets.

 All the logical arguments in the world about doping hold no merit if the athlete maintains clean testing.  Other factors come into play -- a better track surface, improved shoes, perfect conditions,  high quality competition -- to push these world records into new territory.

There was a Roger Maris to beat Babe Ruth's single season home run record.  There was a Mike Powell to surpass Bob Beamon's long jump record.  It appears the thrust of DNA and technology to lower or lengthen previous marks in performance.  Thus, it is not impossible to go where no man has gone before in history.  Just damn tough to do it twice.

1996 Olympic gold medal winner and pro wrestler Kurt Angle arrested with HGH

Once an Olympic gold medalist, wrestler Kurt Angle appears to have been caught with HGH.  Angle has a little run in with the steroid cops in the past (here, and here); he also defected from the WWE, apparently after he needed time to withdraw from painkillers.

 To WPXI:

Professional wrestler Kurt Angle was arrested in Robinson Township on Saturday morning.  According to a criminal complaint, his girlfriend had filed a protection from abuse order against Angle, which was served at his home on Saturday morning.

The woman reported to police that she was at a Starbucks on the internet, when she claims she saw Angle stalking her.  She called 911, and police pulled over Angle in his girlfriend's car.

According to the criminal complaint, Angle was driving on a suspended license. Police also found a capped syringe and two vials of "Hygetropin," otherwise known as HGH.

Angle told police he had a legal prescription for the drugs.

The charges against Angle include: driving while operating privilege is suspended, prohibited acts-possession, harassment and prohibited acts.  Angle is currently the World Champion in TNA Wrestling, and was scheduled to wrestle in a pay-per-view match in Orlando on Sunday night. TNA Wrestling did not return calls for comment.The girlfriend mentioned in the complaint is also a wrestler for TNA.

Angle wrestled legitimately at Clarion, then as mentioned won an Olympic gold medal.  Now it's all downhill for him.

Reds Bronson Arroyo unapologetically takes banned supplements: Wastes money

Cincy Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo says he takes MLB banned supplements, and brazenly awaits the consequences.  (USA Today)

Unless Arroyo is taking nasty stuff with honest to goodness 'roids, he is simply wasting his money.  Caffeine may benefit his performance some, but really taking unproven, untested supplements that promise everything is simply foolish.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo reaches into his locker, pulls down a clear cellophane bag and slowly opens it.

He shakes out the contents like a kid on Halloween night. There are different-colored pills, powders, liquids, proteins, caffeine concentrates and ginseng, products such as creatine, Triflex and xelR8 found at local vitamin stores. Most of the products have not been approved by Major League Baseball for use by players, Arroyo says. Some of the items have the potential to trigger a positive test under baseball's performance-enhancing drug policy. Arroyo takes them anyway.

"I have a lot of guys in (the locker room) who think I'm out of (my) mind because I'm taking a lot of things not on the (MLB-approved) list," Arroyo says. "I take 10 to 12 different things a day, and on the days I pitch, there's four more things. There's a caffeine drink I take from a company that (former teammate) Curt Schilling introduced me to in '05. I take some Korean ginseng and a few other proteins out there that are not certified. But I haven't failed any tests, so I figured I'm good."

News for Arroyo: You may not be crazy for all those supplements, but you are foolish.  Most are not worth a damn thing.  Sorry to bring science into superstition.

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leland says fans don't care about steroids

The Detroit Freep carried an interview with Tigers manager Jim Leland.

"I've always thought when something was confidential and sworn to be confidential I don't know how stuff like that comes out," Leyland said. "I don't condone steroids or growth hormone or anything else... For the most part, I don't think fans (care.) The people that probably care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball. So they really got something to (complain) about baseball. I don't think the fans care that much. Or maybe they do, I don't know."

The entire ordeal disturbs him.

"It's gotten to be boring for me," he said. "It's an ongoing story for the media, as far as I'm concerned. They're not going to let it alone. Now it's Papi, a month from now it will be someone else. I could care less about it. If David Ortiz said he was not on steroids, I believe him."

Hey, Leland, if managers like you -- and management, trainers, and doctors -- actually paid attention to the integrity of the game, you would not have the daily scandal that has turned your sport into the summer version of pro wrestling.  But that fact escapes your train of thought.

    "You get sick of it," he said. "To me it's like the nosy neighbor. Everybody knows there's been some     involved, so what's the big deal about it. Everybody knows there's a great program in place."

If the program is so great, Jim, then why have your biggest stars -- ARob, Bonds, Clemens, Ortiz, Rodriguez, etc. -- cheated the game, the other teams, and the fans?

Leland's hometown paper doesn't let the manager keep  his head in the sand:

Jim Leyland said Sunday that most people who care about the steroids issue probably don’t like baseball. Kind of harsh or is he spot-on?

Well to start with, he’s dead wrong.

I like baseball a lot. It’s my favorite sport, by far. And I care about the steroid issue. I’m pretty sure Bud Selig likes baseball (although he doesn’t act like it given his decisions sometimes) and I know he cares about the steroid issue. Albert Pujols likes baseball and he cares so much about the issue, he’ll tell anyone who will listen that he’s clean.

The Freep says Leland simply retreats to jockdom's no brain answer.  Obviously, the no brain answer has resulted in a taint so odoriferous, it stinks up 2 decades of baseball.

    Leyland used a classic jock-ocracy strategy. “You simply don’t get it.” When someone in sports is proven wrong, doesn’t have the answer or simply wants something to go away, he says, “you just don’t understand.

Dubai Shiekh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum bin a winny horse doper

The ruling shaikh of Dubei will serve a six month ban from horse racing following proceedings examining his role in horse doping.  Sheikh Mohammed's horse tested positive for some doping substance, which isn't named in the article below.  The Mrs. --  Princess Haya of Jordan -- was head of the horse regulatory agency.  (friendly looking fellow)

To the New York Times:

Dubai's ruler was given a six-month ban from long-distance horse racing after his horse tested positive for banned substances, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) said.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum's horse Tahhan ran in two endurance races in January and February and "in both events, the horse was ridden by Sheikh Mohammed ... who is the person responsible," said FEI in a statement on its website. He was also fined 4,500 Swiss francs (2,500 pounds).

Most endurance races are up to 160 km (100 miles) long.

In the statement, the Dubai ruler, who is also the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, said he had no knowledge of any illegal substances being used. He can appeal. Trainer Abdullah bin Huzaim was also fined and banned for a year after admitting to doping the horses. FEI said it had detected prohibited substances, a drug with calming and analgesic effects and a steroid.

Sheikh Mohammed's wife Princess Haya of Jordan, who presides over FEI, stepped aside in this case, Malina Gueorguiev, spokesperson for the FEI, told Reuters by telephone from Geneva.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of conglomerate Dubai World, one of the emirate's largest companies, had previously been suspended for six months and fined. He had said he was unaware of any doping.

The Sheikh's horse tested positive for two substances, one of which was Winny:

Sheikh Mohammed accepted that his horse, Tahhan, tested positive for guanabenz and steroid stanozolol, the FEI said on Monday. His wife, FEI president Princess Haya of Jordan, is leading a clean-sport campaign, and Sheikh Mohammed stood down from competing in April when the test results became known.

Rare NBA steroid-related suspension: Orlando Magic player Rashard Lewis reportedly out 10 games for drug policy violation (testosterone or DHEA)

The USA Today reports that Orland Magic forward Rashard Lewis sill sit 10 games in 2009-10 season due to testing positive for a banned substance.  It is believed the substance was 'testosterone' possibly due to DHEA in a nutritional supplement

According to the Orlando Magic's website, star forward Rashard Lewis (FSY) will be suspended without pay for the first 10 games of the 2009-10 season for testing positive for a banned substance the player said he unknowingly took.

The Orlando Sentinel, citing league sources, reports that substance is testosterone, which showed up from nutritional substances Lewis said he took not knowing they contained DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone). That is a chemical compound naturally occurring in the body but also found in over-the-counter supplements at nutritional stores.

Lewis released a statement, saying he took "full responsibility for the situation and accept the corresponding penalty."

He said toward the end of last season, "I took an over-the-counter supplement which at the time I did not realize included a substance banned by the NBA."

DHEA -- a testosterone precursor -- usually doesn't raise testosterone level enough to matter' however the drug can throw a positive into a urine test.

The NBA has been remarkably free of steroids and PEDs, either because the drugs have  not permeated the NBA culture,or because the steroid testing is weak.  This may be only the 4th or 5th steroids-related NBA suspension in history.

Extensive coverage of Boston Red Sox steroids scandal

The Boston Dirt Dogs blog has incredible coverage of the expanding BoSox steroids scandal.  The more they dig, the more doped dirt emerges.  (The link is to the general site, and this may be outdated soon).

Fans and writers think Ortiz may be a bigger fraud than Manny (where is that logic?), Johnny Damon speaks out, El Duke spouts off, The Red Sox clubhouse boys exude steroids....

This scandal needs to be either covered up better, or fully explained.  Now which way will the MLB and the MLBPA go?  (any bets?)

Are any championships out there untainted?  Remember the outrage when Congress looked at steroids in baseball?  OMG, just grandstanding.  Now it looks like massive sports fraud at the higest level.

Doping in track is alive and well: Five Brazilian track athletes named as drug cheats

A number of Brazilian track athletes will receive an early exit from the world championships in Germany, reported as doping suspects.  To the AP:

Brazilian officials say five athletes preparing for the upcoming world track and field championships in Germany have failed doping tests.

The Brazilian athletics confederation says Bruno Lins Tenorio de Barros, Jorge Celio da Rocha Sena, Josiane da Silva Tito, Luciana Franca and Lucimara Silvestre presented "adverse results" in out-of-competition tests conducted by the confederation on June 15.

The athletes, who were already in Germany for this month's competition, requested their B samples be tested and are returning to Brazil to present their defence.

Three of the five athletes were at the Beijing Olympics last year - Barros helped Brazil finish fourth in the 4x100 metre relay, Silvestre competed in the women's heptathlon and Tito was in the women's 4x400 relay.

A number of Beijing 2008 Olympians included in this group.  One would not expect them to have suddenly become dopers in the past year...if you catch our drift.

The photos of Franca and Tito appear a bit strange....androgen influence?

Red Sox fired 2 employees for steroids possibly linked to Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz

Links turned up in Boston that may be revealing about Manny Ramirez' steroid use, the AP reported`.

Johnny Damon said he recognized one of two Boston Red Sox security guards who were fired in September for alleged association with steroids, but he knew no more about them.

Police confiscated steroids from the car of Nicholas Alex Cyr, 27, in July 2008 during the guard's late-night return trip from a charity event hosted by Josh Beckett.

Cyr fingered fellow guard Jared Remy, the 30-year-old son of Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy, as the supplier. After an investigation by the team and Major League Baseball that the men claim was superficial, both were fired.

Damon, who spent the 2002-05 seasons in Boston, only recalled seeing Cyr.

Interesting that Damon said he was unaware of the steroid use outside of the locker room?  Huh?  Gamloing?  I am shocked gambling in Casablanca.

Both Cyr and Remy said they had close relationships with Manny Ramirez, while Remy said he talked steroids with a former personal assistant of Ortiz's. Ramirez served a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's drug policy earlier this season and both sluggers, according to a report Thursday, were to said to have used performance enhancers in 2003.

As was the case when Thursday's report was released, Damon wouldn't comment on the potential steroid usage by his former teammates. Any steroid use, he said, was "outside" of the locker room.

"That's what those guys decided to do on their time, I had too much other stuff to deal with," Damon said. "Play baseball and play with my kids."

"I was totally unaware of everything," he added.

Links to Manny:

Cyr and Remy, who have worked together since 2004, both said they told MLB they did not have direct knowledge of steroid use by the Red Sox. Remy denied that he gave Cyr the vial of Anadrol police found, but acknowledged he is a steroids user.

Cyr said he sometimes would shop for Ramirez in the slugger's car. Remy said he would sometimes serve as the lone guard for Ramirez's early-morning workouts at Fenway Park.

Senator John McCain wonders "Where did you go Joe DiMaggio" after recent Red Sox steroids scandal

A nation turns it's lonely eyes to you...yes you John McCain.

Senator John MCCain, the recent 2008 Republican candidate for POTUS comments on the MLB steroids revelations last week.  (Taragana)

Sen. John McCain is lamenting the latest report of a baseball player linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

Last week the players’ union confirmed that Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was among the 104 major leaguers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.

In response to the revelation, McCain sent a message on his Twitter account that read, “David Ortiz tested positive for steroids, ‘where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?’”

McCain says the situation in baseball makes him sick. Even more bothersome, he says, is the idea that someone in a laboratory somewhere is trying to develop a substance that tests can’t detect.

McCain has long been a critic of the MLB steroid policy.

The Arizona Republican spoke to CNN’s “State of the Union” for its Sunday broadcast.

New York Times writer Michael Schmidt has the dope on dopers: Exposes Ortiz, Ramirez, Sosa, and others

The huge David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez story breaking today was the work of Michael Schmidt of the New York Times.   Schmidt has recently penned stories on the juicing of Sammy Sosa, David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez.  He appears to be on a  hot streak.  To Editor and Publisher:

Despite being only 25 and a New York Times reporter for less than two years, Michael S. Schmidt has already earned a spot as one of the paper's best sports investigators.

In June, he broke the story that slugger Sammy Sosa was on the infamous list of 100 baseball players to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.

Today, he added two more names -- Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz -- to the list in a bombshell story that already has Boston Red Sox beat writers talking.

A former Times news clerk who first came to the paper in 2005, he freelanced for a year and returned in 2007 as an "intermediate" reporter. His beat: off-the-field news. Translated: steroids and other bad stuff.

"I had a duty to look into it," he says of his success in finding three of the biggest names on the list. "I had to at least put in the effort."

Schmidt set out with a plan to track down the 2003 list...here is one more excerpt, with the remiader on the web sire:

Schmidt says he increased his pursuit of the 2003 list after Sports Illustrated in February revealed that Alex Rodriguez was one of the names. "After that, people would always ask me 'when is the list going to come out?'" he recalls. "I never had a good answer. I started to realize there was a real  interest people had in this."

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez allegedly both on 2003 MLB steroid/dope list: Taints 2004 World Series

If reports on the expanding list of offenders in the 2003 Baseball pilot doping/steroid study hold true, even more MLB history will need to be 'rewritten', asterisked, excised, or ignored.  Reports ( Bloomberg, UPI) today say both David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez made the 2003 special pilot study steroid list.

Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz were among 104 players testing positive in 2003 for performance-enhancing drugs, The New York Times said.

The information came from unnamed lawyers who spoke to the newspaper Wednesday.

The 2003 survey contained a condition that the results would remain  anonymous.

Ramirez and Ortiz were teammates with the Boston Red Sox when the tests were done the year Boston ended an 86-year streak in which it had not won a World Series.

Other players previously linked to the 2003 list, based on leaks, were Barry Bonds, Jason Grimsley

, Alex Rodriguez, David Segui and Sammy Sosa, with 97 names remaining still undisclosed.

Ramirez, now would appear to be a repeat offender.  Ortiz, the Big Papi of the Red Sox, appeared to rejuvenate his career with the Red Sox following rather undistinguished years toiling within the Twins organization.  Ortiz, who was suspected by many within the baseball community of bulking up to boost the numbers. 

            "I'm not talking about that anymore," Ortiz told the newspaper's Web site.             "I have no comment."

One wonders why the biggest stars in the game did not take head of the testing...Sosa, Bonds, Ortiz, Ramirez.  These were (operative word 'were') Cooperstown Hall of Fame shoe-ins, who are now reduced to drug cheats with good stats.

Ortiz and Ramirez led the Red Sox into the 2004 World Series, which now seems to be one more drug-infused charade.

Ethics of pediatric sports doping

The Sports-Leader carries a short academic piece on the ethics of sports doping.  An excerpt is found below:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a document in April 2005 on performance-enhancing substance use in sport (1). It inquired about many statements concerning the supposed anti-doping fight and how it may be successful.

The document disputes that children need to be taken into account for a more restrictive moral and ethical anti-doping structure to be effective and recognised that the adolescent group naturally feels indestructible and regularly disregards any implication that performance-enhancing substance use may create a health risk or hamper their suitability for sport (1). Also, adolescents are extremely anxious about their self-image (1)...

The motives for using these substances may be different but a mixture of the above reasons exists in why most athletes take performance-enhancing drugs (2). Doping can be seen as an easy alternative to hard training programmes by some adolescents because the rest of the competitors are in a setting of equal and fair play. However, it is through hard work and perseverance in sport that “the virtues of dedication, perseverance, endurance and self-discipline (4)” help build up an adolescent’s character