Supposed List of Players Who Tested Positive in 2003 Leaked?

[Al C.risafulli]

I think this is going to be an issue for a long time. The Players' Union really screwed up in keeping that list, and now they're receiving a lot of pressure to release the whole thing. But releasing the whole thing will cast a shadow on 102 more careers. It's a shame, really.

-Al

[packs]

Brent Abernathy played 12 games in 2003. Would he have been tested?

[HRBAKER]

It is also a shame that 100+ people tested positive as well.

[Al C.risafulli]

Jeff, it is a shame, but I'm of the belief that the percentage of ballplayers who use/d PEDs in the late 90s and early 00s was much, much higher than what the test would indicate. Like, closer to 100% than to 0%. So it's a shame that 104 guys have to take the fall for a problem that was/is rampant throughout the game.

-Al

[HRBAKER]

Al,
I understand your POV but it is a feeling per se, I have no empathy for thiose who tested positive regardless of whether they were just the ones who got caught.

Jeff

[ktwilli71]

Well if that is a real list....

Im glad to see my favorite modern player not on there

Chipper Jones

[Al C.risafulli]

Unfortunately they got caught doing something that there was previously no punishment for, and unfortunately MLB (in my opinion) condoned the behavior by turning a blind eye in the wake of the Sosa/McGwire race.

The policy is still riddled with holes; besides the fact that there is currently no test for HGH, the banned substance list contains a host of chemicals that are present in OTC supplements and others that are legal in other countries (look at the large number of Latin American players who have been suspended; many stated that they took supplements purchased in their home countries at drug or health food stores).

The punishment is also weak; even a 50-game suspension for someone making millions of dollars is certainly not an incentive when a multimillion dollar contract is at stake. The risk:reward ratio still favors the user. If MLB wants to get serious about the "problem" they will push for a lifetime ban for first offenders and users of HGH, and stop granting medical exceptions for drugs like Ritalin unless a league doctor verifies it is medically necessary.

Until that happens, I'll keep watching baseball and I'll keep marveling at the skills of guys like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, because I assume they played on a level playing field.

-Al