29
2013
It’s Just Another Old Fashioned PED Scandal
An article by 
It wouldn’t be an MLB offseason without a juicy PED scandal right?
Well here you go. Courtesy of Tim Elfrink of the Miami NewTimes, some significant names have been associated with a Miami clinic that has been linked to supplying drugs to several people ranging from University coaches, to current MLB players.
Of course there will be a lot of work done to check the validity of the story and the list, but Elfrink says the following with regards to how they obtained the list.
“The names are all included in an extraordinary batch of records from Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic tucked into a two-story office building just a hard line drive’s distance from the UM campus. They were given to New Times by an employee who worked at Biogenesis before it closed last month and its owner abruptly disappeared. The records are clear in describing the firm’s real business: selling performance-enhancing drugs, from human growth hormone (HGH) to testosterone to anabolic steroids.”
The list of current MLB players on the list include: Nelson Cruz, Bartolo Colon, Melky Cabrera, Yasmani Grandal, Gio Gonzalez and Alex Rodriguez.
Now, let me tell you why I am fired up about this list.
Bartolo Colon and Melky Cabrera mean nothing to me. They have been suspended and already carry the scarlet letter.
Grandal and even Cruz mean little to nothing to me as well.
Everybody will focus on Alex Rodriguez being on this list. He claimed he was clean as of the 2004 season, and the fact his name pops up once again in a PED scandal will be the focus of so many news outlets, especially the mainstream.
But you know what? If this turns out to be a valid list, then Gio Gonzalez is the biggest name on this list. If you take a look at the quick reactions to the list, you’re noticing that ARod and not Gio is already the most talked about person.
Alex Rodriguez is a broken down, over the hill, often injured player who is chasing an already tainted record. What difference does it make to anybody whether he’s involved in a PED scandal? His team already seems to be forging ahead without him in 2013. He literally has almost 0 impact on the “present day.”
Yet, Gio Gonzalez at 27, had a career year for the Washington Nationals and finished 3rd in the NL Cy Young race after winning 21 games. The Nationals are poised for a championship run and Gio is one of the reasons why.
What I see happening is everybody will focus on ARod and allow Gonzalez to get away with a soft apology or denial and move on. But, (again if this is true) the fact Gio is on this list changes a lot.
Gio could face a suspension if MLB investigates this story and finds enough evidence, even without a positive test.
There is going to be a lot of discussion about this story, and if it turns out to be false – then so be it. However, if it turns out to be true, then the biggest story of this list will be the impact it has on the Nationals and their most reliable starting pitcher being linked to PED’s.
UPDATE:
In a statement issued through his representatives, Gonzalez said:
“I’ve never used performance-enhancing drugs of any kind, and I never will. I’ve never met or spoken with Tony Bosch or used any substances provided by him. Anything said to the contrary is a lie.”
About the Author: Michael J. Branda
My time with MMO began in July of 2009 when I wrote a Fan Post defending Omar Minaya (before it was cool to do that.) I grew up a Mets fan with the mid 1980's teams. My favorite Met of all-time is (and was) Wally Backman. When it comes to sabermetrics versus old school thinking, I like to think I meet in the middle. I believe thinking of new ways to get answers is helpful, especially when the same way has not produced results. However, I think over-thinking certain situations can get you into trouble. I'm excited for the new regime, because I believe they have pieces in place to focus on several aspects of the Mets organization. I've waited this long for a World Series, waiting a few more years for another chance isn't going to kill me.
44 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- Mr North Jersey: on Sandy Disappointed With Some Of His Moves And The Team’s Performance: Again I don't know who "we" is...
- Alex68: on Sandy Disappointed With Some Of His Moves And The Team’s Performance: Chris Capuano - Good, didn't want him...
- Heybatter: on Sandy Disappointed With Some Of His Moves And The Team’s Performance: I saw the interview last nite and...
- Alex68: on Sandy Disappointed With Some Of His Moves And The Team’s Performance: How long are we supposed to wait?...
- DrDooby: on Sandy Disappointed With Some Of His Moves And The Team’s Performance: The difference between # 75 and #...
MMO Mets Chat
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5381 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
JESSUP: A new word for total complete idiot. And that is being polite.
hey thanks for reading!
I must admire the irony of you trying to call me an idiot while simultaneously spelling my MMO handle wrong.
This is blowing up all over the internet. At the very least there is going to be a cloud hanging over Gonzalez.
It’s funny too Boomer… today is “media day” at the Super Bowl, but this story may overshadow it.
ARod is an easy target for everybody, but frankly who cares about ARod? He may not even play this year regardless of this story.
I saw a small note in the paper the other day that the yanks were starting to spread rumors that A Rod may not be back mid-year after all. Wonder if this had anything to do with it?
I think it’s fair to speculate that Gio was doing HGH and maybe more last season. This certainly taints him some. I remember last season, I was on another forum and some Nats fans were arguing why Gio deserved the CY over Dickey. They were in the minority as even fans of other teams thought Dickey was more worthy. I wonder what the Nats fans have to say about that today.
And, indeed, as Jessup said, this is big news for the NL East if the evidence on Gio is solid.
“Gio could face a suspension if MLB investigates this story and finds enough evidence, even without a positive test.”
Is this really true? I cannot believe the player’s association would not fight this tooth and nail.
Even before official PEDs testing started in 2004, players were subject to suspensions if it could be proved otherwise they bought or used banned drugs. The punishments were always written into the CBA. They just could never test for steroids before 2004, and HGH until very recently.
Yes absolutely. If MLB investigates it and finds significant evidence that the story is true, they can suspend the player.
“According to Jon Heyman, players can be suspended without a positive test. First-time offenders receive a 50-game ban.”
Losing Gio for 1/3 the season would hurt Washington. Statistically speaking, he was their best pitcher last season.
Oh boy…..
Some believe the ‘steroid era’ has come to an end. Not so. Might not be steroids but there will probably always be players that try and gain an edge.
There is one guy running around claiming that his research shows 50% of major league baseball is still on something.
Can’t say that it surprises me.
And to be honest, I’m kind of on the fence about all this. Illegal drugs, misue of drugs such as steroids should be forbidden. But over the counter supplements and the like, taking as directed, is not ‘cheating’, IMO. Just players trying to keep at the high end of as healthy and strong as they can get.
Well, the good news is that 3 of the players named in the article — Colon, Cabrera and Grandal — all were caught by MLB’s testing last season. So it’s not as if everyone is escaping detection.
It shows this story has some legs and is not just some baseless accusations.
A-Rod and Gio have already come out and completely denied the story. What’s interesting is that there’s not been a peep so far from Colon, Grandal and Cabrera. If they tell MLB that those records are accurate and not forged or incorrect, then A-Rod and Gio may be in deep doo-doo.
Colon and Cabrera were already caught. Not much they can say.
Grandal also tested positive in 2012. And there’s a ton those three can say. Basically, they can verify the documents, and if they do, they would tend to be incriminating to A-Rod and Gio, despite their denials. MLB will almost definitely interview every player named in the documents and ask them if the information is correct.
Hi Metro,
That is the point that lands so much credibility to me. The fact that three of the players were already caught by MLB. It’s not like a list of entirely new names.
My own gut feeling is that ARod was always on drugs. His performance during the time he admitted using it was typical of his performances when not using them. No big spike.
Any player caught taking these things now on should be banned from baseball. Period. No second chance. They now know the implications in which the generation before of did not.
Of course, that will never happen – the player’s union will put a stop to anything as severe as that for a “first time” offender even though there is now no excuse.
Bourne, Gonzalez – bigstars who might be more of a minnow than anything else.
Good catch on this, Jessep. Time to await the fallout…
I had the same feeling…Gio is the biggest name on there.
This will be the nail in the coffin for ARod. The Yankess already arent high on him and they might go after him for the money paid on this latest contract. Depending upon the time frame, they might be able to prove that he was cheating to get the contract. Not sure of the ramifications but can you imagine if the Yankees get out from under that albatross?
From what I’m reading, his delayed surgery this off season might result in him missing this entire season. And if he does, he’s insured – thereby the Yankees get 25 MIL for that.
The beginning of the end?
Yes that is true. They are insured against the injury. But if he comes back, they still have to pay him through 2017. If he is tied, again, to PEDs, the new contract might be up for being voided.
I have to say that when I posted the link the other day to the ESPN article investigating clinics in South Florida in regards to PED’s and read the name of Anthony Bosch I did not expect only a few days later for a story like this to come out. If you have yet to read that interesting ESPN article here is the link again.
http://espn.go.com/new-york/story/_/id/8884955/mlb-investigating-south-florida-ground-zero-ped-war
If Gio gets suspended for any of this it’ll be the best news for our Mets during the season.
We are seeing another Balco type scandal and A-Roid is involved once again. Sad that our game has been tainted with cheaters floating their numbers for money and fame.
Fun little story about the NFL and a substance issue as well for anybody interested in Ray Lewis
http://nesn.com/2013/01/report-ray-lewis-may-have-used-banned-substance-to-recover-from-torn-triceps/
Does this mean it will profitable for sports writers to hate him again?
As for Lewis, there is a recorded conversation obtained by SI in which he talks to this “doctor” about spraying the substance on his tongue
If there was a recorded convo by ARod the night before the World Series, the world would blow up … but since it’s a football player, we’ll just deal with it until after the Super Bowl
No coincidence he announced he was retiring 3 weeks ago.
Anyone think IDK it could possibly be a scam and attempt to harm. IDK , Gio is not a big guy, and is not particularly muscular nor is he out of this world a specimen of physical strength. Also find it a strange the list includes locals and those who reside in florida. IDk but, I am having a hard time with the Gio part of it. Not that I am a huge fan of his, he just doesn’t fit the profile in anyway. I hope people let MLB do a proper investigation. Then again I hope MLB is capable of doing a proper investigation. In regards to PED’s they are much more Keystone cops than Sherlock Holmes.
Mark – possibly, but when the story links to 3 players who actually tested positive, doesn’t that look slightly damning to the other players?
I mean in today’s world where players have make believe girlfriends, anything is possible. But why would they drag a random player like Gio into this mess? Couldn’t the story have had just as much traction had it been Colon, Melky, Grandal (all + tested) and ARod? Absolutely.
Pitchers don’t take steroids or HGH to build muscle, they do it to decrease fatigue and inflammation after starts.
If I were the Yankees I would void A-Rod’s contract and dare the MLBPA to appeal it and take it to court. Hurt them in their freaking pockets.
to which the MLBPA would eventually win…
On that note:
MLBTR is reporting?
The Yankees are exploring multiple avenues to void their contract with Alex Rodriguez, several baseball sources told ESPNNewYork.com’s Wallace Matthews and Andrew Marchand. Rodriguez was among several MLB stars who were linked to a PED clinic in Miami, Florida. Even if the charges turn out to be true, however, the Bombers may have little chance of getting out from under his contract.
******************************
I also think the union would win. And it would be terrible if the Yankees had an extra 20-25 million to spend every year to outbid other teams for free agents. This would be a financial windfall for a team that doesn’t need one. Hopefully they get nowhere with these efforts.
rumor has it the yanks are getting ready to sell.
I wouldnt be surprised if they are moving heaven and earth to get out from under that contract.
ARod is ever more burdensome when you consider what the Yankees are trying to do. Hal is intent on getting under the luxury tax in 2014 to save him an additional $50M. What is interesting is his plans are further impeded by ARod being out 2013 (which is looking more likely according to reports).
ARods APV toward luxury tax for his salary is already $27.5M. But he also has bonuses for $30M in $6M increments based upon performance homeruns he hits. The first of those bonuses is number 660…only 13 HRs away. So, if ARod doesnt play in 2013 and returns in 2014, there is a good chance he hits that mark in 2014. That means the Yankees have $6M less than they were anticipating since they figured it would be paid in 2013 when they were over anyway.
Things just got a bit tighter in the Bronx.
what the yanks have realized…is that their stadium inflates the value of hitters….
you dont need a 30 million dollar 3B to hit 35 HR a year in that park…
I wonder if they will make a run at Beltran in the off-season…
or will Sandy try to make amends and sign the best RF available on the 2014 market
I can’t say I’m all that surprised about probably Gio. He used to be a skinny malinky in terms of his body composition in his earlier days with the A’s. He has filled out quite a bit and added quite a bit of not fat but lean muscle and he had a career year. Where there’s smoke there’s usually fire. And of course Nelson Cruz- look at that man’s body- Sammy Sosaish like- does his body look normal to you?
MAGINE IF THE NYY WERE JUDGED SIMILAR TO LANCE ARMSTRONG IN HAVING AT LEAST 1 OF THEIR WS TITLES VOIDED FOR A PREPONDERANCE OF CHEMICALLY ENHANCED CHEATERS… GIAMBI,PETTITTE,A-ROD,CLEMENS,CABRERRA, ET AL GIRARDI WOULD HAVE TO REVERSE HIS UNIFORM # COUNT LMAO
Ryan Braun and Danny Valencia have now been thrown into the mix
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ryan-braun-s-name-listed-in-biogenesis-clinic-records-235650670.html
Not sure about Braun’s usage yet because apparently his name is not listed with PED but man this is getting ridiculous.