Something a bit disturbing

[Zimmers]

So a few weeks ago I had a long conversation with a current Big Leaguer who just came back from the States after the season ended for them in much the same way as it did for the Reds. We talked about personal stuff as we have many mutual friends and then then it turned to baseball as it was always gonna happen.

Anyways the insight he gave at times was brilliant and also jaw dropping as I felt like to Jose Canseco at times. This guy has bounced around from the majors after a few arm injuries in his career and even resurrected his career overseas to get a shot again.

The disturbing part of the convo was when I asked if Melky Cabera was going to get treated any differently now that he got caught cheating. The response I got was a flat out NO. The player said he estimates 80% are doing what he does and that he just had some bad luck. He says you literally you have to be tested within 24 hours to be caught doing what he did and it's so easy not to get caught because of this.

Well I still think he is great guy but definently believe he is cheating after speaking with him even tho he never said. I know it's on guys opinion but he made a very strong case about it and if it's as easy as he says then there is still a problem in baseball.

By the way he says Johnny Gomes is as awesome I thought

[GotHeeeeem]

Well the Giants players did not want him back........

[Helms1]

PEDs do not improve maximum performance much. They do improve and enhance tissue recupertation from strain, fatigue and injury. It is a double edged sword but to me is more of a issue of players either trying to get back to their level of performance after injury (like your friend I think) or stay at that level for as many games as they can through the season so they can stay where they are. If it is cheating, so be it, but it is not what most people think when we condemn these people who are caught. They are cheating father time and repetitive injury more than anything else.

[Red Raindog]

Not too hard to figure out who the player is --- not many from Australia that played overseas + the Show + missed time with injuries

not that anyone asked but I pick Travis Jarrod Blackley

[Zimmers]

Oh I agree it is not doing to much to enhance performance and it's to help guys bounce back faster and all that. The point of the matter is more so it is still classified as cheating no matter how you spin it. In saying that I don't believe for one second that 80% of the Bigs is tainted with Blood doping but more the issue that there is still some form of cheating going on. I know this one is very hard to snuff out the moment and if you are in the show you are always most likely looking for a edge. I just thought it was a interesting perspective and disturbing perspective in regards to the professional athlete lives

[The DARK]

Personally, I wish Bud Selig would take a harder line on this. Cycling has fallen by the wayside as a sport due the massive proliferation of doping, and he's setting an unfortunate precedent by allowing the likes of Mark McGuire on other steroid users to get hall of fame consideration. The problem isn't just going to go away on it's own now that it's out in the open. There needs to be real monetary incentive to not use.

[bigredmechanism]

Originally Posted by Old Righthander

Not too hard to figure out who the player is --- not many from Australia that played overseas + the Show + missed time with injuries

not that anyone asked but I pick Travis Jarrod Blackley

Isn't Balfour from Oz as well, and played for the A's last year? That's who I assumed, but Blackley is as good of a guess.

[webbbj]

I dont see this being a big deal at all.

[Zimmers]

I am from a small town in Ohio so really it could be anyone. I could be home at the moment or here it really doesn't matter. It's the off season, Chrissy break and there isn't much news. Thought it would be a decent topic to discuss and different people's thoughts on what may or may not be happening still around the Bigs. Talk about it, don't talk about it just trying to have some type of discussion on here besides same old same old

[Red Raindog]

Originally Posted by bigredmechanism

Isn't Balfour from Oz as well, and played for the A's last year? That's who I assumed, but Blackley is as good of a guess.

I based it on the fact that Blackley played for the Giants & A's in addition to a Korean team and an Aussie team --- + I'm not aware of Balfour playing anywhere but the USA

not a huge deal anyway --- I don't buy the 80% number tossed out

[webbbj]

I think the 80% is very reasonable and I think anyone is naive if they honestly think players arent doing something to gain an edge.

I'd be in favor of MLB approving testosterone or HGH. I want to see the players at their highest level all the time. If that prevents them from being sluggish on the field I approve.

[ol'Sparky]

I'm jose canseco

[TSJ55]

If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'.

[smixsell]

Originally Posted by Helms1

PEDs do not improve maximum performance much. They do improve and enhance tissue recupertation from strain, fatigue and injury. It is a double edged sword but to me is more of a issue of players either trying to get back to their level of performance after injury (like your friend I think) or stay at that level for as many games as they can through the season so they can stay where they are. If it is cheating, so be it, but it is not what most people think when we condemn these people who are caught. They are cheating father time and repetitive injury more than anything else.

You could not be more wrong.

[bigredmechanism]

Originally Posted by smixsell

You could not be more wrong.

Agreed.

Barry Bonds' maximum performance in the mid 90s:

46 hr .458/.677/1.136 at 28 years old for a 206 OPS+.

Barry Bonds' maximum performance in the 00s:

73 hr .515/.863/1.379 at 36 years old for a 259 OPS+.