O/T 2026 HOF Contemporary Ballot

[rats60]

Originally Posted by gunboat82

I'm not sure the fact that he was better at 40 is even anecdotal evidence of anything, or that it supports an inference of steroid use. MLB was testing for steroids after 2003, when Ortiz was not yet 30. It implemented HGH testing by 2013, when Ortiz was 37. While HGH testing was in place, he put up OPS+ seasons of 159, 141, 140, and 164.

To infer that Ortiz was using steroids or HGH to produce at a high level at age 40, you'd also have to infer that (1) MLB didn't test him, even though it was under heightened scrutiny at that point; (2) MLB tested him and he failed, but they buried the results because they liked him; or (3) MLB tested him but he somehow evaded detection.

To assume that Ortiz was juicing at age 40 because of a failed 2003 test (the accuracy of which has been disputed) is a logical leap. It's also a silly game to play when players like Ivan Rodriguez and Jeff Bagwell get a pass because their names weren't included in that particular leak. Mike Piazza even admitted to knowingly using andro (an anabolic steroid) and greenies during his playing career, but he's often left out of these debates because he wasn't on the list. There are so many unknowns and double standards about who was caught for what and when, and who admitted to juicing before certain substances were formally banned. It seems like a fool's errand to draw a line in the sand and put players on one side or the other.

Alex Rodriguez was rumored to have failed a 2003 test, them was tested for the rest of his career and never failed. He admitted to using steroids from 2001-2003 and 2010-2012.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by rats60

Alex Rodriguez was rumored to have failed a 2003 test, them was tested for the rest of his career and never failed. He admitted to using steroids from 2001-2003 and 2010-2012.

The thing is most don't understand how a drug test actually works. They are super easy to pass as proven by all the Olympic athletes and bicycle riders.

PEDs are like recreational drugs as there are many many kinds. When a test is done it is only for one very specific steroid so as long as they did not take that specific steroid they will pass the drug test even if they are on 6 different types of PEDs. A friend since the 80s actually works in one of the labs in Las Vegas that tests athletes for PEDs so I really do know how the tests work.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by rats60

Alex Rodriguez was rumored to have failed a 2003 test, them was tested for the rest of his career and never failed. He admitted to using steroids from 2001-2003 and 2010-2012.

A-Rod failed a test for illegal stimulants in 2006, but it was not made public because he was technically a 1st time offender, because the 2003 test was supposed to be a freebie. Also, there was boatloads of actual evidence connecting A-Rod to Peds.

The absolute arrogance and entitlement of A-Rod’s behavior, even when they started cracking down on PEDS is kind of mind-blowing.

Also, it seems everyone forgot his act kicking and screaming about how he still wanted to get paid while he was serving his suspension from baseball after all the obvious evidence came to light in the Biogenesis scandal, and the reports of his cronies flying back and forth from the Dominican with his requested gear.

I’m a Yankees fan and A-Rod certainly was a huge part of the 2009 title winning team, but the evidence against him is about 3 Miles higher then it is for Big Papi, who was perhaps the biggest Yankee killer ever.