I’ll make this one short and sweet: Steroid and PED users are disgraced. It appears that most, if not all, of the users will never be inducted into the Hall of Fame. So, how much was it worth to those players? Was it worth throwing your reputations away? What is your integrity worth? Well now, let’s see: (more…)
Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis, Hall of Fame | Tagged: Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Hall of Fame, PEDs, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Steroids | 1 Comment »
With just three weeks until pitchers and catchers start reporting to spring training locations, the baseball offseason is winding down, but it’s not ending with a whimper. This has been one of the more eventful offseasons in recent memory, with constant activity, surprises, and even some quality free agents like Kyle Lohse and Michael Bourn still available at this late date.
If the 2013 season can be half as eventful as this winter has been, fans should be in for quite a treat.
Unfortunately, this past week ended with some truly sad news about two baseball legends; considerably darkening this installment of notes. (more…)
Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Corey Hart, Earl Weaver, Free Agents, Kyle Lohse, Mark McGwire, Mat Gamel, Michael Bourne, Mike Napoli, Milwaukee Brewers, Mudcat Grant, PEDs, Sammy Sosa, St. Louis Cardinals, Stan Musial, WBC, World Baseball Classic | Leave a Comment »
On July 26, 1977, Jack Morris took the hill for the very first time at Comiskey Park against the Chicago White Sox. The 22-year-old Morris pitched four innings of relief and gave up two hits and two earned runs while striking out three in his major league debut.
Little did the people of the windy city know, that day, they were witnessing the birth of a career that would compile the most wins by a pitcher in the 1980′s, become one of the best big game pitchers in baseball history, win four World Series titles, and lead the Tigers’ staff for 14 years. (more…)
Filed under: Hall of Fame | Tagged: Detroit Tigers, Hall of Fame, Jack Morris, Minnesota Twins, PEDs, Steroids, Toronto Blue Jays | 2 Comments »
I have always been under the belief that steroids and testosterone, while helping a player return earlier from injury, did little to aid in hitting a ball further and more frequently. I used to believe that if you hit a ball squarely on the barrel of a bat, that the ball would travel over the fence regardless of whether or not steroids were being used. After all, I’ve played baseball for much of my life. I had never used steroids or testosterone gels, and I would hit a ball 350 feet with consistency (in my younger days).
As I enter my fifties, I was recently diagnosed with herniated discs and sciatica. It has been a painful experience. And while I no longer play baseball, I have taken up golf over the past few years. Golfing has been difficult with herniated discs. When I first went to the doctor, and tests were done, it was discovered that aside from my disc issues, I also had low testosterone levels. That would explain feeling tired and sluggish. The doctor prescribed steroids for one week to ease the back pain, and a well-known testosterone gel to help with my low testosterone levels. That same week I played golf because my back was feeling better as a result of the steroids and gel. What happened that week was eye-opening. (more…)
Filed under: Hall of Fame | Tagged: Hall of Fame, PEDs, Steroids | 1 Comment »
So much went on in baseball this past week that this could easily be a 10,000 word article. I will spare you that and try to limit myself to touching base on only the stories I found to be the most urgent and interesting in the week that was. This will probably be just a precursor to even more action this week, as the Winter Meetings are now underway down in Tennessee. Buckle your seatbelts, kids.
***Former MLB union head and labor pioneer Marvin Miller died last Tuesday at the age of 95. Miller helped found the Players Association in 1966 and guided them through legal battles and obstacles, which ultimately led to free agency and exploding player salaries. His 16-year tenure as head of the union was easily the most productive of any of his colleagues in baseball or other sports. (more…)
Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Aroldis Chapman, Atlanta Braves, B.J. Upton, Carlos Ruiz, David Wright, Evan Longoria, George Brett, Jonathan Broxton, Marvin Miller, MLB Winter Meetings, MLBPA, New York Mets, PEDs, Philadelphia Phillies, Robin Yount, Tampa Bay Rays | Leave a Comment »
*** To say I loved the Red Sox signing catcher David Ross to a two year, $6.2 million free agent would be an understatement. He brings the kind of leadership, experience and defensive presence the Sox have lacked behind the plate for years. Although he won’t be a full-time starter he could play a significant role in changing the culture of managing the pitching staff and calling games.
*** The free-spending ways of the Los Angeles Dodgers seems to know no bounds. It was confirmed last week that they successfully bid $25.7 million for the chance to negotiate a contract with Korean left-handed pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin. (more…)
Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Andrew McCutchen, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, David Ross, Free Agents, Hall of Fame, Hot Stove, Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark McGwire, Mike Matheny, PEDs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Robin Ventura, Ryu Hyun-Jin, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Trades, Walt Weiss, Yasmani Granal | Leave a Comment »
Junius Worth
David Kerr
Charlie Nehl
gawlowskib
Andrew Martin
Jonathan C. Mitchell
johnczech
Daniel Marino
Michael Schwartze
mlbdirtstaff
Spencer Schneier
William J. Tasker
