12:30pm: Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that Davis did not have a TUE for Adderall in 2013 (Twitter links). His previous TUE came earlier in his career than last year’s breakout. As Passan notes, this opens the possibility that Davis’ first positive test (which would only result in a warning) came prior to the 2014 season. Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that Davis has been diagnosed with ADD in the past but did not apply for a TUE in 2013.
11:32am: Davis did not apply for a therapeutic use exemption from the league this season, tweets Connolly. In a followup tweet, Connolly reminds that a 2012-13 study showed that 122 Major Leaguers had TUEs — 119 of which were for ADD.
10:31am:Â Davis was indeed suspended for Adderall usage, he announced in a statement (All Twitter links to MLB.com’s Britt Ghiroli):
“I apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Orioles organization and especially the fans. I made a mistake by taking Adderall. I had permission to use it in the past, but do not have a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) this year. I accept my punishment and will begin serving my suspension immediately.”
That Davis has been suspended means that would have had to test positive twice for a banned stimulant such as Adderall.
10:10am: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis’ season is over as he has been suspended 25 games after testing positive for amphetamines, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. MLB has since confirmed the suspension, which will run through the postseason.
It’s unclear exactly what substance Davis used, but those making the leap to steroids should note that even the usage of fairly common stimulants like Adderall can result in a 25-game suspension (as Troy Patton proved earlier this season). That’s not to excuse Davis, of course, as this is a grave mistake at the worst possible time, and the substances are banned without receiving exemptions from the league.
Baltimore currently leads the AL East by 10 games and will now be without Davis’ game-changing power for the final two-plus weeks and all of the ALDS and the ALCS. The ALCS roster would, of course, have to be set before the series begins, meaning that the Orioles would have to play a man down for the first few games of that series in order for him to be reinstated midway through. It’s highly unlikely that a team would agree to play with 24 men in such an important series, meaning the earliest Davis would likely be eligible to return would be in the World Series, should Baltimore advance to that stage.
Davis is hitting just .196/.300/.404 after his breakout 53-homer campaign last season, thanks in part due to an increased strikeout rate (33 percent) and an abnormally low batting average on balls in play (.242). Baltimore added some depth to its roster late in August by adding Kelly Johnson and Alejandro De Aza via trade, and the emergence of Steve Pearce gives the team another corner bat on which to rely. Nevertheless, the loss of Davis is a big blow to a team that has already lost Manny Machado and Matt Wieters for the season.
From a financial standpoint, Davis’ suspension will cost him about $1.07MM, as he won’t be paid while on the restricted list. He is earning $10.35MM this season as he approaches his final offseason of arbitration eligiblity.
Jim Low
Be interesting if they bring up Walker though that is still doubtful
zxlkho
He wouldn’t be eligible for the postseason, so I doubt it. I still think they should give him a taste of the show, since he had such a great season at AA and AAA.
vtadave
Not sure whether the DL replacement rule applies to suspended players, but he could still be eligible potentially.
Jim Johnson
Does he play third?
Damon Bowman
99.9% certain that they wouldn’t. Walker isn’t on the 40-man and the O’s have more than enough bodies already on board to do without.
VAR
Well that is unfortunate for them. Right when he was starting to turn it back on.
Raylan Givens' Stetson
Correlation, maybe?
Dave 32
Considering it won’t do anything to put the Yankees in the playoffs, no I think that’s a little too much paranoia.
Sorry I mean the timing, you mean the performance. Different conspiracy thinking!
Raylan Givens' Stetson
I was referring to him starting to play better in relation to getting caught using amphetamines. Meant as a half joke, considering I have no idea when he started taking them.
Dave 32
yeah I know I got it after I hit the button. It’s early.
Raylan Givens' Stetson
No harm, no foul.
Nashville_Os_Fan
It is not a PED so no correlation
Raylan Givens' Stetson
It’s a stimulant that increases your concentration level and reaction time. It doesn’t help you build muscle or anything like that, but to say it doesn’t increase your performance level doesn’t make any sense. This isn’t a recreational drug as far as I’m aware. The most rampant non-prescription usage of it is amongst college students before they take exams, helps them concentrate and stay awake (after likely studying all night).
Nashville_Os_Fan
He has had MLB permission to use it in the past so I would assume that was for a medical purpose
Ajay Andrew
It causes your strength to go up. It doesn’t increase size. But I have a prescription, and if i take it before the gym I can lift more. It is very noticeable.
RichW
That’s nonsense. Confirmation bias at work.
Raylan Givens' Stetson
I’m not an expert on the subject and have never taken it, but being a stimulant, I would imagine that it would work the same was as caffeine in terms of exercising. I don’t know if it adds strength, but it likely gives you more energy and decreases fatigue. It’s well know that having caffeine before you exercise allows you to work out longer and more intensely, to a certain degree. The level of difference between the two, I don’t know. I’m pretty sure this is not one of the reasons for adderall being banned.
Bob_Laublaw
Adderall is much closer to cocaine than caffeine, so it certainly does have a huge beneficial effect on an athlete in a 162 game season. Also, many folks crush the pills and snort the drug just like cocaine, which makes it absorb faster and clear your system faster.
Damon Bowman
No. Adderall has absolutely nothing to do with your body being able to lift more weight in the gym. If you believe it does, I have some other supplements I’d love to sell you. Adderall affects the brain and central nervous system. It helps enhance focus and attention to detail. Adderall does nothing for physical strength. Zip. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
windwalker
It seems as if Adderall didn’t help Chris Davis much with his enhanced focus and attention to detail as he failed to apply for an updated TUE this season. Foolish and a detriment to a playoff bound team.
Raylan Givens' Stetson
I’m a little lost at where this has gone, but the big question that nobody can really answer was how much he really needed it and if the MLB determined that the prescription from the doctor was overkill. It’s not uncommon to find doctors that are either easily deceived, very liberal with their prescription pad or are simply dishonest. I’m not implying any of the former, just that there is so much more to take into consideration and we will likely never know all that’s behind this. The MLB likely made a decision that the prescription was helping him get an edge more than it was helping him “get back to normal.” Oscar Pistorius might be a good example: Missing parts of his legs he was given permission to use those blades since it didn’t get him above the level playing field and into an advantage, but still allowed him to perform with everybody else. They certainly wouldn’t allow him to use a motorized scooter to make up for the fact that he was missing part of his legs.
RichW
There were people who said his blades were a huge advantage.
Raylan Givens' Stetson
The powers in charge ruled otherwise, finding that there wasn’t one.
windwalker
Especially at his murder trial.
Jim Johnson
If this is his second time this year, it seems like maybe he was illegally taking it all year. So there probably wouldn’t be a correlation, because it never stopped.
Raylan Givens' Stetson
Keep in mind that I made this statement offhandedly right after it was announced that he was suspended and nothing else was known. See comment above.
And It's Gone...
He was batting below the Mendoza line too.
Paul Salinas
is this considered a recreational drug or a PED?
Melvin Mendoza, Jr.
Probably PED. I’ve never really heard of people taking it recreationally per se.
VAR
You can take Adderall recreationally. It’s speed. But it can also be performance enhancing: improving focus, intensity, aggression.
Melvin Mendoza, Jr.
Have you ever taken it? I don’t see how anyone would use it purely recreationally.
VAR
I have taken other ADHD medications. I wouldn’t take them recreationally, but there are a lot of things I wouldn’t take recreationally. That doesn’t mean other people wouldn’t. Most likely not people with ADHD though. Those medications make me feel terrible.
Melvin Mendoza, Jr.
That’s not what I’m saying…I used to be prescribed adderall and there’s no recreational value to just popping them for fun..
VAR
You should probably tell that to people who take them recreationally and buy them on the streets. Your brain is different than people who do not have ADHD. You should also know that the recreational amount is significantly larger than the prescription amount.
Melvin Mendoza, Jr.
They buy it on the street for taking tests and studying…I don’t consider that recreational
VAR
Have you asked each person that buys it on the street what they are using it for? It is used recreationally for its euphoric qualities and as an aphrodisiac. It increases the levels or noerpinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which are typically low in those with ADHD. People who have normal amounts of Dopamine and Norepinephrine in their brains don’t need these neurotransmitters increased so it can lead to a euphoric state.
VAR
It is used recreationally for its euphoric qualities and as an aphrodisiac. It increases the levels or noerpinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which are typically low in those with ADHD. People who have normal amounts of Dopamine and Norepinephrine in their brains don’t need these neurotransmitters increased so it can lead to a euphoric state.
Jim Johnson
When I would buy it “on the street” it would only be for cramming before the exam. There def. is a sense of euphoria if you didn’t get the time release ones, but that euphoria would only last about 45 minutes. Then that initial rush wore off, and you were just really focused. So I’m not sure, or at least I hope that people aren’t buying adderall for a decent little 45 minute window. And that window only existed if you didn’t actually take adderall. My friends that actually took adderall regularly didn’t experience the window because their body was use to it.
Joey Konk
For college students without ADHD during the school week it’s performance enhancing….the weekend it’s recreatonal
westcoastwhitesox
I take tests and study for fun…where can I get some of this adderall stuff?
StevePegues
There’s pretty much just 2 ways to characterize drug use in this context: it’s either therapeutic or recreational. You’re looking at recreational as meaning enjoyable; best to think of it as having a broader definition.
sfes
It’s speed. An amphetamine. I’ve taken it recreationally before and know others who have. Euphoria.
Nathan Boley
We used to take Adderall in college recreationally all the time…
Jeff Hill
Like someone posted above you. Most college kids take this or ADD/ADHD medications before their exams and while studying because you stay more focused while you are on these types of meds.
Bob_Laublaw
Adderall is also known as the study drug. Heavily abused by college students and similar in effect to cocaine when snorted. It is very widely abused recreationally and highly sought after
MB923
This. Does it enhance performance? Yes. It is a drug? Yes. So how can anyone say it is Not a PED????
Nashville_Os_Fan
It’s neither.. it’s a prescription drug for ADD and ADHD… he’s had MLB’s permission to take it in the past.. but not this year
VAR
Seriously, just because it’s a prescription drug it can’t be used recreationally? It’s an amphetamine.
Jaysfan1994 2
I laugh at this comment, he was warned for taking it once before because of the suspension rules of failing amphetamine tests. He’s likely never had permission if he’s being suspended for something he’s failed twice.
Jim Johnson
Unless he failed both times this year, but had permission last year.
Jaysfan1994 2
It says he didn’t apply for permission in the article above.
“Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that Davis has been diagnosed with ADD in the past but did not apply for a TUE in 2013.”
Jaysfan1994 2
It says he didn’t apply for permission for the 2013 in the article above.
هذا الرجل رهيبة الكبير خليل
Well thats not a surprise
MB923
Too bad it wasn’t last year when he was likely taking them too and when the O’s missed the playoffs.
hozie007
I was suspicious of his performance last year. Baseball statistics that show unusual performance anomalies have a funny way of revealing these things before a test ever comes up. But I’m suspicious of anyone who hits 20 HR’s by the All-star break and throws more than 95 mph regularly as a starter….it just ain’t natural….even for stud athletes.
MB923
That’s why I was very suspicious of Adrian Beltre doing it in 2004. He hit 48 homers that year. That was the first time he ever reached 30 HR, and he never hit 30 HR again until 2011
UVAguy81
But then again, Beltre didn’t exactly have a great supporting lineup while he was out there in Seattle.
Nashville_Os_Fan
It wasn’t a PED
MB923
Can he appeal it if he wanted to?
yclept
He may have already appealed. I think In an ideal world, MLB doesn’t want suspensions to be announced until after an appeal has already been heard. Of course, that doesn’t prevent some of it from leaking out…as we know.
RichW
No because this is his second failed test. The first got him a warning.
hozie007
BTW…it’s likely he was using Aderall…which some players actually get league approval to use for ADD and ADHD.
MB923
It was (if he’s telling the truth)
From Dan Connolly – Davis: “I apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Orioles organization
and especially the fans. I made a mistake by taking Adderall.”
robbyb
and apparently he used to have league approval to take it..
bobbleheadguru
If not for Chris Davis, Miguel Cabrera would have won TWO STRAIGHT Triple Crowns.
Chris Davis denied Cabrera the chance at unprecedented history.
Edouble86
Wrong. In so many ways.
bobbleheadguru
Who is wrong? Me? Davis? Cabrera?
Edouble86
Amphetamines aren’t steroids. He said he took Adderall, a stimulant. Adderall doesn’t help you hit home runs.
hozie007
Strongly disagree…. even the smallest guy in MLB can hit a home run. It’s all about the focus and concentration with micro-second timing.
bobbleheadguru
Just wondering… can Adderall mask other drugs on a test?
If a test fails, can a player blame it on Adderall?
Gibberjab
Players in the NFL blame positive tests on Adderall
Jim Johnson
But that doesn’t mean adderall can mask anything. If you take a PED, and it shows up in testing, you can blame the positive test on anything under the sun, but that doesn’t mean the test isn’t showing the PED.
Nashville_Os_Fan
It isn’t a PED it’s a drug for treating ADD and ADHD. He’s had MLB permission in the past.
MB923
Yes, it is a PED. I’m sure you know what PED stands for. Does adderall effect performance? Yes it does, therefore it is a PED.
But no, it’s not a steroid and doesn’t give you super strength or anything like that.
Nashville_Os_Fan
MLB doesn’t consider it to be a PED which is why the suspension is only 25 games
MB923
If it doesn’t enhance your performance, then they wouldn’t ban it.
Gibberjab
So why doesn’t he now? Why did he not get permission and still use….doesn’t make sense. Sorry but Chris Davis CHEATED.
Nashville_Os_Fan
I have no idea why he doesn’t have one this year, do you? I didn’t say he shouldn’t be suspended, I said it’s not a PED. That’s why the suspension is 25 and not 80 games
Jim Johnson
And is suspended for cheating.
Nashville_Os_Fan
It’s not a PED
bobbleheadguru
Maybe “Its” not a PED.. but whatever he “potentially” taking last year was.
MB923
It is a PED, just not a steroid. Look up Adderall and Dr. Gary Wadler (I was actually an intern at one of his organizations)
Nashville_Os_Fan
I am well aware of what it is and is not….. MLB does not consider it a PED
Balboa
Ohhhh well if MLB doesn’t consider it a PED, nevermind the fact that everyone else does.
MB923
No, MLB allows it to be used with doctor’s permission. If it wasn’t a PED and had no effect, then there would be no suspension.
DarthMurph
So?
bobbleheadguru
I take it you are not a fan of Baseball history…
Which in my opinion is one of the best things about the game.
DarthMurph
No, I’m not a fan of your preposterous statement.
hozie007
Why only 25 games? Guys last year were targeted from the Biogenesis scandal and didn’t even test positive for anything but got 50 games. Honestly, if MLB is serious about PED use, it should be 1 year suspension, re-test before re-instatement, and any existing contracts can be voided by the team, if they choose. . . .end of story, good bye and probably end of career for most players who take this route.
robbyb
not PED…
MB923
Yes it is. I assume you can’t just accept it because you’re an O’s fan.
Steve Adams
Because amphetamines aren’t steroids. They’re stimulants. The Joint Drug Agreement has a different penalty in place for these drugs. Troy Patton and Carlos Ruiz both had recent 25-game bans for Adderall usage, which is a prescription drug to treat ADD/ADHD.
hozie007
I understand Aderall is not considered a “PED” by the JDA and from a drug perspective it’s a stimulant…. but in reality, using it provides clarity of mind and allows a player to focus better which enhances performance, particularly for batters and pitchers. The problem is for players who do it right and don’t take drugs, eat healthy, work-out, stay fit, practice their profession are penalized on the field and in their contracts because guys like this are performing at a much higher level.
Jim Johnson
I don’t think it’s crazy or illogical for MLB to have a hierarchy of substances. Especially when some of those substances are allowed with a permission slip. There has to be some level of “degree” to it.
karkat
There’s a distinction in the rules between amphetamines and “hard” PEDs
rct 2
He says he doesn’t have a ‘therapeutic use exemption (TUE) this year’. Does that mean he had one last year, when he he played great? If so, he better try getting a TUE for 2015.
Andrew Ochs
Amphetamines aren’t steroids or PEDs
Federal League
They increase focus and concentration, allow better reaction times. It’s why Adderall is so popular in baseball and American football [especially among receiving and secondary players].
Andrew Ochs
It’s also used if you have anxiety issues and ADD, he had past permission to use it.
stl_cards16
Yes and it is one of the most widely abused prescription drugs. Anyone can come up with a prescription for it and many athletes in baseball use it against it’s real purpose.
MB923
“They increase focus and concentration,”
If I may switch the PE in PED to EP, then what you said would be called Enhancing Performance. And is it a drug? Yes.
Gibberjab
It can be considered a PED. A PED is a drug an athlete takes to improve his performance. It isn’t a steroid but it can still be considered a PED in this case.
Chris Davis CHEATED and there is no way getting around that. You can call it whatever you want, but Davis is still a cheater.
MB923
Spot on.
Nashville_Os_Fan
It isn’t considered a PED by Major League baseball
Gibberjab
You are correct that the MLB doesn’t classify it as a PED…but it is still a performance enhancing drug when abused.
MB923
He’s not going to listen no matter how many times you tell him
Steve Adams
No, but it’s a banned substance that requires an exemption to use. You can argue that Davis isn’t guilty of cheating via PED usage, but the argument that he isn’t guilty of cheating doesn’t fly.
He knowingly took a banned substance for which he did not have an exemption, and he flat out said as much in the statement he released.
Joe Crash
Test Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones NOW!
MB923
I’m sure they have been many times.
Jim Johnson
Are Jones’ numbers crazy?
MB923
@Nashville_Os_Fan:disqus , you can keep saying “It’s not a PED”. Maybe you should look it up. It IS a PED.
Nashville_Os_Fan
I have looked it up and it is in no way a PED… that’s why the suspension is 25 games – first offense for a PED is 80 games.. it is used to tread attention deficit disorder and he had an exemption in prior years to take it.. no way is it a PED
Federal League
I’d be interested to know why his therapeutic use exemption was discontinued.
Gibberjab
Probably because they found out he didn’t need it.
Jim Johnson
I doubt “they” did. I can’t imagine MLB will say that a doctor doesn’t know what he is talking about. Maybe a doctor didn’t write Davis another prescription for it, but if he had a doctor telling MLB that he needed to take it, I would hope MLB doesn’t start playing “Scrubs” and diagnosis Davis themselves.
Quizicat
He just didn’t have it extended. I believe it is given for a set period of time. So perhaps he had permission to use it last season and needed to get the TUE re-upped and didn’t
Federal League
One would think that Davis would have been aware of the deadlines involved for making sure he can continue to treat his medical condition within the rules.
Gibberjab
I very highly doubt he forgot the deadline. If that was the case he would have said that happened.
Gibberjab
Keep thinking what you want but do a Google search. The rest of the world knows it can be used to enhance performance and can be classified as a PED
karkat
Everyone is conflating the term PED as defined in the JDA (which Adderall is not) and the general term “performance enhancing drug” (any drug that enhances your performance, which Adderall is). You people are arguing over semantic minutia x_x
kungfucampby
It’s actually the original PED. Greenies.
baseballbeisbol
Then anything could be considered a PED. Chewing tobacco could be considered a PED. It’s performance increasing abilities are not the reason it is banned by the MLB, hence why his suspension isn’t for more games.
MB923
I’ve said the same, technically you’re right. Same can go for caffeine.
bobbleheadguru
I believed Jhonny Peralta last year and he did a 180… Complete denial to complete admission.
That was the last time I will be fooled.
Miguel Cabrera would have won back to back triple crowns last year, if not for Chris Davis. Davis took that history away from Miggy.
Jim Johnson
He said he had the exemption last year. So that really wouldn’t have mattered.
bobbleheadguru
“He said” is exactly my point.
I have no reason to believe that Davis did NOT take PED last year.
Jim Johnson
I still don’t get your point. Are you saying MLB didn’t grant him permission to take it last year?
Bleed_Orange
I have no reason to believe Cabrera did not take PEDs last year… see blind accusations work both ways. The fact of the matter is he did not fail a test last year, he failed one this year. So whining about Cabrera not winning a triple crown is fruitless.
MB923
He failed Two, which is why the suspension happened. First failed test for amphetamines is a warning.
Goin' to Sheetz
I have no reason to care that a man who beats his wife didn’t get a second Triple Crown. Obliviousness works both ways.
mickthequick
Drug hysteria is out of control
Joe Crash
Looks like John Lackey was right about the Orioles team….
Raylan Givens' Stetson
It’s obviously very likely he had a prescription before when he had approval to use it. What I’d like to know is if he still had a prescription when he no longer had approval from the MLB.
jb226 2
Two related thoughts:
1. Why do you need a TUE every year if you have ADHD? It’s not a condition that is cured, not with what we know today. If you have one, it shouldn’t need renewal.
2. It’s starting to feel like “I had a TUE last year but forgot to renew it” is the new boilerplate statement. I’ve heard it enough times already that it is already getting hard to put any stock into.
disadvantage 2
To be fair, Chris Davis would have renewed his TUE if he hadn’t gotten distracted.
Balboa
“There’s no question it’s a performance-enhancing drug,” says Dr. Gary Wadler, a past chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List Committee.
Please O’s fan just stop, it doesn’t matter what MLB classifies it as, the rest of the world knows it’s a PED.
Jim Johnson
It kinda matters what MLB classifies it as, Davis is an MLB player.
stl_cards16
For the length of his suspension, yes it matters. For the reason he was doing it, it doesn’t.
JordanSwingman
Not surprised he’s an Adderall user. A lot of good players probably use it, because as much as I or anyone wants to believe, there are fewer 110% clean atheletes. Adderall will not only help with on field work, but also in the weight room, which for Chris was and always has been a big part of his game.
If he did not have a prescription and was taking them recriationally per se, then shame on him. I also wouldn’t be surprised (and I hate to say this), but I think MLB knew he was doing it last year, and put it aside because it was a good story at the time, and quite frankly good for the offence depleaded MLB. This won’t be the last guy to be busted, and a lot of them will be good players.
karkat
There’s probably fewer than 110% clean athletes because even if they were all clean it’d only be 100%
Jim Johnson
I’m not sure it would help your weight lifting. Adderall suppresses your appetite, at least for a lot of people on it. It’s a chore to eat. And eating is the most important part of weight lifting. It also messes with your blood circulation. That’s why a lot of people have cold appendages when taking it, can’t perform in the bedroom, etc. These things aren’t getting enough blood.
baseballbeisbol
The last part is ridiculous and could be falsely labeled on anyone having a good season.
JordanSwingman
It’s just a sad fact in any sport. It’s unfortunate that not one guy can be trusted. Money controls things, and any performance enhancer. A lot of players do stuff, it’s how they do it that gets them in trouble.
S710b
I must not be understanding something about the prescription policy. How is it that players can’t figure out how to get a therapeutic use exemption? It’s pretty easy to convince someone you have ADHD; the symptoms are so open-ended (and easy to fake). Anyway, there are tons of doctors (mine, for instance) who give that drug out leniently (especially because hardly anyone really *needs* Adderall–it’s a performance enhancing drug for most of the population). Do players have to go through a team doctor or something who isn’t willing to give it out? This is so ridiculous.
Raylan Givens' Stetson
That’s what makes me wonder if he still had a prescription for the stuff after he was denied by the MLB. It would tell you how much independent discretion they have over the matter. I’m just guessing that no players have a medicinal marijuana license and are approved to take it by the MLB at the same time. It is well known that there are doctors that hand these prescriptions out without much second thought. No player would still be playing baseball if they were in enough pain to quantify taking it.
RascalTrain
Why is everyone just assuming he has ADHD?
MB923
Because Addderall is a prescription drug used to treat ADHD. Last year he had doctor’s orders to take it. Why else would a doctor prescribe him to take it if he didn’t have it?
stl_cards16
And also a drug abused by millions of people without ADHD. College campus’ are rampant with Adderall.
MB923
Which makes me thinking why caffeine isn’t banned then. I’m not comparing caffeine to Adderall, but doesn’t caffeine technically give people a “boost”. I asusme it has to with the amount of levels in it.
DarthMurph
You don’t need a prescription to acquire caffeine. Vegetables give players a boost too.
MB923
Yes but that doesn’t make my point incorrect though. All I’m saying is caffeine is technically a drug and technically does give a boost. But I guess I answered my own question too since I”m assuming it has to do with the amount of levels in them and the effect on the body afterwards
DarthMurph
What point? Plenty of things give players boosts. Tobacco, vitamins, protein. A player who sleeps with his wife before a game could have an advantage over one going through marital problems. Boost is a tricky word here.
MB923
My point that caffeine technically is a drug that enhances your performance. So why is it legal? Probably because it’s too ridiculous to ban since nearly everyone takes caffeine
MB923
The point that caffeeine can also enhance your performance which is the “boost”. And it’s a drug. But as I said, I assume it has to do with the body effect. Caffeine obviously does not have the same effect as Addaerall.
DarthMurph
Boosts are fine. As long as they’re approved by MLB.
jb226 2
Probably availability. Caffeine is readily available to anybody who wants the “boost.” Adderall is (at least ostensibly) gated behind a disease diagnosis and prescription, though we all know it is far too easy to get.
RascalTrain
I am at a D2 college and one of the baseball players said if he took a energy drink within 30minutes of a test you would fail because of the caffeine…so I guess at some levels caffeine is banned
MB923
Interesting.
DarthMurph
I’ve seen people pay $50 during finals week for a single Adderall pill.
MB923
That’s crazy
DarthMurph
I suspect the placebo effect plays a big part. I’ve also seen it snorted to keep people away at parties.
karkat
Davis wasn’t hitting so hot but that power was still a threat that’ll probably be missed. Still don’t think Baltimore’s rotation could get them very far in the playoffs anyway.
RascalTrain
Is it possible he is pulling an NFL player type move here? A lot of NFL players were testing positive for PEDs and quickly pointed the finger at Adderall.
Or is the MLB testing too in depth for someone to be able to blame it on Adderall when it is not? I know they do a lot of tests on samples.
Federal League
The 25-game ban indicates he was suspended for a stimulant, not an anabolic agent. In the NFL, the standard, first offense ban is four games regardless of what substance the player tested positive for and the league is not allowed to disclose what the substance was.
baseballbeisbol
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think adderall is used a cycling drug to erase traces of steroid use. I don’t think the test would confuse the two.
jb226 2
1) I’m sure MLB knows. I think it’s against the CBA to disclose the test results publicly, so in theory they might not even correct a guy who went out and simply lied about what he was taking.
2) We do know from the size of the suspension (25 games instead of 50) that it wasn’t classified as a PED by MLB, which pretty much catapults Adderall to the top of the list of contenders.
DarthMurph
Hugs not drugs. Buck Showalter, why didn’t you hug Chris Davis enough?
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Do you think Showalter can get his arms around Chris Davis?
Maybe a chest bump would be more prudent?
DarthMurph
If only Doc Ellis were still alive to laugh at this.
RascalTrain
119 players have ADD….what a joke. There is no way that many players need drugs like Adderall.
RascalTrain
Also saying he forgot to apply for exemption makes no sense. You get a mulligan when it comes to Adderall, so he has no excuses.
YankeeFanâ„¢
I have adhd n have used adderall in the past it’s not that hard to go to your doctor n give a referral to mlb
bmoneyy20
Adderall is used as a comedown from the 80’s lifestyle on the weekends, if you catch my drift.
Jaysfan1994 2
People use Adderall as a masking drug for steroids in bodybuilding, just saying.
RascalTrain
That is what I was wondering. Because I know it was a big issue in the NFL with players blaming tests on Adderall even though they were using much more.
Kinda scary when you consider 119 players or so apparently can use this stuff.
Jaysfan1994 2
It’s really easy to get a subscription for it too since all it requires is someone to improperly diagnose you for a personality trait.
RascalTrain
How many of these Adderall users appear on Biogenesis? Because there were a huge number of non positive testers on there. There has to be some way they are getting steroids out of their system so fast…is Adderall a culprit?
If Adderall triggers a positive test how are they telling the difference between that and actual steroids?
Jaysfan1994 2
Well, it’s more about rather failing a drug test for Adderall use because the uninformed public has no clue that you’re using it to mask your steroid use and you get 4 chances to fail it before you get suspended 50 games.
This however is not a new thing in bodybuilding and it’s how many bodybuilders are able to compete as a “natural” bodybuilder. Oh, and you can always have permission to take the drug so that you never get caught masking your steroid use.
RascalTrain
I also would love to see how many of these Adderall users started using it when they got to a very competitive level.
But there is almost nothing MLB can do. Not like they can tell them no without looking horrible.
Jaysfan1994 2
Yeah, it’s a huge loophole considering you’re throwing allegations at someone who is considered to have a disability.
Adderall is a Diuretic, look up why Diuretics are banned in many sports and you’ll findout why so many people in sports are using this certain drug.
John Cate
Trying to figure out what the negative is here. A contending team getting a first baseman with a .196 average out of the lineup is an addition by subtraction.
Joe Crash
Chris “The Orange Juicer” Davis…ha!
S710b
I don’t understand how he could have a therapeutic exemption last year but not this year. If they believed he had a ADHD diagnosis last year, they should believe the same this year, since Adderall doesn’t *cure* ADHD, it just treats it. Just another example of the widespread disorganized and inconsistent “diagnosis” process of ADHD, a distinctly American “disorder” that only a small percentage of the population truly has and needs medication for.
Cam
This is unfortunately, just an extension of the rampant prescription drug problem in the US.