Time for HGH Testing
by jscape2000 on Jul 23, 2010 10:25 AM EDT
in New York Yankees Analysis
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According to popular lore and internet rumor, HGH (human growth hormone) is the most commonly used Performance Enhancing Drug on the market, now that basic steroid testing has taken hold in baseball.
HGH is common because it's hard to test for: two samples of an athlete's blood must be examined, trying to spot differences between naturally occurring hormone and synthetic hormone.
This sense of subjectivity was one of the key counterarguments of the last decade. But it appears that the recent suspension of a English rugby player convinced MLB officials that the HGH test is ready for prime time.
By starting blood testing in the minor leagues, Mr. Selig is following the pattern he adopted in 2001, when he initiated steroid testing in the minor leagues. A year later, the players union, in a new collective bargaining agreement, opened the door to testing in the majors. That testing began in 2003 and has been made more stringent since then. ...
H.G.H., which helps increase lean muscle mass, has been banned in the minor leagues since 2004 and in the majors since 2005. Although its use is prohibited in a great majority of professional sports leagues around the world, there is continuing scientific debate about how much it enhances athletic performance.
There is debate about how much (and for some, if) HGH helps athletes perform. From everything I understand about the drug, it does. Much like traditional steroids, it helps athletes rebuild muscle faster- meaning pitchers can throw 100% more often, hitters and fielders recover more quickly from the nagging aches and pains that come from pushing your body every day for half the year or more.
We all know that the Players' Union would never let a testing program start at the big league level: one false positive ruins a career, and the exposure of the league's drug use ruins the game.
Selig deserves a little bit of praise today- minor league baseball is now at the cutting edge of sport drug enforcement, with tougher, more inclusive testing than any major pro sport in America.
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I'm so sick of hearing about performance enhancers
In no way am I bashing this post… it’s just the whole talk surrounding A-Rod’s 600th homer and how it’s tainted and all this crap is just starting to get under my skin now.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
Either we all turn the blind eye and give the chemists free reign, or we accept an endless cycle of watching and questioning and testing.
I totally understand how you feel- it’s exhausting and I wish these guys would play with the integrity the game deserves. But they’ve got millions of reasons not to.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
agreed, its a lose-lose situation, i just wish the arod 600 wasnt so enveloped in this- although he did bring that on himself
by BronxBeliever on Jul 23, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I know
It’s a step in the right direction though, like you said.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Very good
Now let’s hope we don’t see our minor leaguers using something else
Hey Selig finally did something right
The biggest criticism I’ve had of Selig is how he handled the PED situation, how he just let it slide. Good to see he’s putting more of a stop to it today.
In all honesty though, I agree with Y2. I’m sick and tired of all this freaking PED talk. And as soon as A-Rod hits his 600th ESPN will make sure we never get enough of it. In the ‘90s they just let it slide. Now it’s all they care about as they try to destroy any players credibility. People who already are in the Hall did steroids. I guarantee it. We just don’t know, because the era is so much of a mystery. Instead of just picking out the people they catch and trying to destroy their lives (Clemens, McQuire, Selena Roberts tried it with A-Rod but I think A-Rod won), just implement better testing now and let the talk go. Thats all they need to do. I’m tired of hearing about it.
"I'm looking at 600 as first base. I want to run right through it and use it as a platform and a spring board for more to come"- Alex Rodriguez
Bud
awoke from his slumber atter they turned a blind eye for a decade or so, most fans say
meh at this point. They actually should start in the minors, more young players are getting 50 game suspensions down there. We know they can’t do anything until the next CBA in the majors.
"I felt completely out of whack... Once again, I didn’t give our team a chance out of the gate."..
I am Allan James Burnett, and I approve this message.
That's true
Every once in few weeks I hear about multiple players receiving 50 game suspensions. What’s even more sad is that some of those guys that take steroids in the minors never even reach the big leagues. Clearly, steroids don’t create talent.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Bud earning that $15mil pay check
DB
by DukBudr on Jul 23, 2010 12:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree as well with Y2 and nyyrocks29
The only thoughts I wish to share are these:
- Those who accuse admitted steroid users (or those who’s names were leaked from the survey test) keep saying they cheated. While it’s debatable that they did something that they knew was morally wrong, many of these people never tested positive while steroids and/or HGH were banned from baseball. So, in the strictest sense of the word, they didn’t cheat because they didn’t break a rule of baseball.
- Those who are anti-Arod or anyone because of steroids or any PEDs will NEVER be convinced otherwise that there might be a different point of view.
- They also are hypocrites because there are admitted cheaters in the HoF who broke actual rules of baseball (Joe/Phil Niekro spitballing, anyone?) and no one cares about that. That actually bothers me more than guys using “illegal” but not against the rules of baseball PEDs to recover quicker from injuries and make their home runs go an extra 20 feet to make sure they’re home runs.
Ok. LOL I’m done now. Anyway, yes, “Cheers!” for Bud on getting the ball rolling with HGH testing and cleaning up the game.
I think people forget that the PITCHERS were on steroids as well
Sure, homerun numbers were up in the late 90s and early 00’s… but pitchers were “cheating” as well. The hitters were just simply better during that time period. Did the steroids have something to do with it? I’m sure that helped with some of the power from weaker guys… but the players all had the ability to crush a ball even without performance enhancers.
BAT SPEED + HAND/EYE COORDINATION >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> STEROIDS
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
You're off base, so to speak
As I’ve mentioned here before, I’ve done steroids in the past and yes, I think they do make one a better hitter. First of all, before I try to explain, the numbers during this era prove so. Averages were much, much higher and HR totals were ridiculous. That in itself should be enough.
What exactly is muscle strength/coordination built upon? Repetitive motion. What is it that a player is trying to do when developing his swing? Repetition. So when you’re training your muscles to do something exactly the same every time and you’re adding a lot of strength to that process it is going to make you a better hitter. And in my opinion, add to ones hand-eye coordination.
Refer to my response to Bradshaw
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
well.....
Steroids allow you to work out and get stronger, which = bat speed.
MLB players have MLB hand/eye coordination and baseball skill…so that’s a wash.
So really…bat speed is increased.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 23, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I suppose I see that now
I’m just frustrated at the topic in general
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
it is annoying
but its there cuz someone allowed it to be there. The media being what it is today, blew it up more then any of the other “performance enhancers” of the day of past years.
Even the pitchers may have been on it…but you throw harder and swing harder, you hit farther. Tho it seems that this season pitchers are throwing harder then they ever have….
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 23, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah that's true
You nailed it in your first sentence. It’s there because someone allowed it to be there. It’s a shame… but we just have to accept it like jscape said.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
The CBA says (and has said all through the ’90s) that any drug illegal in the US was banned from baseball. So while there was no punishment, it was against the rules.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
true
but amphetamines, by many baseball players accounts, were widely available in locker rooms, like candy. Not to mention that it is truly stupid of baseball to have any policy in place with no testing also in place. So, we’re back to the real reason that we’re discussing this over and over: MLB and the Players Union encouraged/ignored/profited from the boon in HRs that produced a boon in profits that produced a boon in the players’ salaries. And they did nothing to stop it or discourage it until the Federal government launched an investigation into the BALCO case.
Joe/Phil Niekro spitballing?
What are you on? They knuckleballed. Are you thinking of Gaylord Perry?
Did you know Joe Morgan thinks Cano will win a batting title one day?
yeah, sorry
I did mean Mr. Perry. And he did admit it. Just like Doc Ellis says he was on LSD when he threw a perfect game and doesn’t really remember much of that game. Both of them should be stricken from the record books and banned from the Hall of Fame (or that’s what some people would have you believe if they treated Perry and Ellis the way steroid/HGH users are being treated).
Don't be surprised haha
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Finally
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 23, 2010 11:53 AM EDT reply actions
I just watched Bigger, Stronger, Faster the other day
and after seeing the Ben Johnson thing, how Lewis tested positive but was still allowed to compete and was given the gold medal. How in the 90s everyone was on it, but only the guys who tested positive are shamed while anyone who avoided testing is celebrated. The fact that cortisone is so much WORSE for you physically yet is widely accepted. Everything the elderly are saying about HGH…. google Stalone’s comments.
Lets be honest here, everyone in the NFL is on HGH. Hockey too. Baseball Im sure is pretty close. You cant test for it (until now) so why wouldnt you be? Its so much easier to just assume everyone is doing it and move on. If the hitters are facing drugged up pitchers its a level playing field. Honestly smaller ball parks probably have more to do with increased numbers than anything.
End of the day, these are sports where athletes bodies break down. They trade health after 35 for glory in their 20s. The schedule in every league is grueling. I say let them take HGH. Hell the league should issue it. There is ZERO evidence that its bad for you long or short term when properly administered by a Dr. It helps you recover. We as fans bitch every time a guy gets a day off, but they get worn down and need to heal. I just hate to see all these athletes physically broken down just a few years after they retire. I would love not to have to worry about when our star players bodies are going to break down and fail them. That a guy is too old or his injuries have become repetitive because he tired to play before he healed. Let them take the HGH. The product on the field will be better, and they will come out of it healthy and with less chronic problems on the other end.
… and let the flaming begin.
by ryanwk628 on Jul 23, 2010 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
That's an interesting prespective
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
perspective*
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know if I believe everyone in every sport is on it.
I’d have to get pretty cynical before I got to that.
Did you know Joe Morgan thinks Cano will win a batting title one day?
i kinda agree
if HGH doesn’t help performance, and from what i’ve read, it doesn’t, what’s so bad about using it to help recover from injuries? it keeps the best players on the field, which i don’t think anyone doesn’t want.
So... are we thinking good A.J. tonight?
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
He shouldn't have to be great
for us to win. Bannister is 1-2 career with a 15+ ERA against the Yanks.
A-Rod has 3 career homers off Bannister I think
The stadium will be rocking if A-Rod goes yard
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
And it would make all of us feel a bit better of Burnett pitched well
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 23, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
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