Major League Baseball announced today that it has completed its investigation into allegations made by news outlet Al Jazeera in the documentary, “The Dark Side,” which claimed that Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard used performance enhancing drugs, finding neither player guilty of any violation. The league’s official statement reads as follows:
“The Office of the Commissioner has completed its investigation into the statements made by Charlie Sly concerning players Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies and Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals in the Al Jazeera documentary ’The Dark Side.’ This thorough investigation did not find any violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by either Howard or Zimmerman. Both Howard and Zimmerman fully cooperated with the Office of the Commissioner’s investigation. Mr. Sly did not agree to speak with the Commissioner’s Office or provide requested information.”
The news comes as very little surprise, as several holes were quickly punctured in the story almost immediately upon the documentary’s release. Al Jazeera enlisted British hurdler Liam Collins to go undercover in an effort to expose users of performance enhancing drugs, and within mere hours of the documentary’s release, Charlie Sly — the key witness and a former pharmacy intern — recanted all of the comments made, telling ESPN that they were “absolutely false and incorrect” and were intended to “pull one over on Collins to see if he had any idea of what he was talking about.” Unsurprisingly, both Howard and Zimmerman filed defamation lawsuits against Al Jazeera, and both players said in statements released today that they fully intend to continue with those legal actions.
Those statements by both Howard and Zimmerman have been released to many in the media, including ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (links to Twitter). Said Howard:Â “The accusations from Al Jazeera came out of nowhere, and I was shocked and outraged by their false claims. I welcomed the investigation by Major League Baseball as an opportunity to clear my name. I was fully cooperative and transparent in the process, and MLB’s findings validate what I have said publicly. I am glad that this part of the process has concluded, and I look forward to holding the responsible people accountable for these false and defamatory claims in my ongoing litigation against Al Jazeera and its reporters.”
Zimmerman’s comments are similar in nature:Â “I understand why Major League Baseball found it necessary to explore this matter, and I appreciate that MLB, after a thorough investigation, was able to publicly affirm my innocence. Throughout my life and career, I have been true to myself, my family, the Nationals organization and my community. It is not right that a so-called news organization and its personnel can publicly make false accusations that damage my reputation and call into question my integrity without any consequences whatsoever. As I said in January when I filed my defamation lawsuit, I am determined to hold Al Jazeera and its reporters accountable for their defamatory actions.”
The documentary in question also made claims against former big league catcher Taylor Teagarden and NFL legend Peyton Manning. However, unlike the other players alleged to have used PEDs, Teagarden himself was recorded on camera discussing PED usage and accordingly received an 80-game suspension from Major League Baseball. Manning, meanwhile, was cleared of any PED use by the NFL in a similar fashion last month (as can be seen over at MLBTR’s sister site, Pro Football Rumors).
Howard needs some PEDs
Yeah he’s hitting over .300 with 9 home runs and 22 RBIS over his last 30 games. Not to mentions he’s cutting down on his Strikouts. Stop trying to be a troll your failing miserably.
I’m not defending his trolling, but beware of small sample sizes. In no way, shape or form is Howard above even replacement level now, and a handful of at bats shouldn’t change that. Years of poor play is a more reliable sample.
Years after an injury that really hampered him as a player. I do understand it’s a small sample size and he could come back down to earth eventually. But, comments like these just get on my nerves
I’m so happy to see Howard and Zimmerman cleared of any wrongdoing here. While I’m not really a fan of either team they play on, particularly Howard is someone who I genuinely like even though plays for the Phillies!
It must TOTALLY suck to be accused of something like this and not done it because it follows you and always leaves questions. Good to the MLB issue a strong statement making it clear that while Howard and Zimmerman cooperated, the accuser did not.
So as a fan, I hope this is one that they got right!
Anybody that took the word of Al Jazeera was in trouble from the start..
Problem No.1.. Where it came from..
Problem No 2. Where did Al Jazeera even buy that looney channel from to begin with?
It was all hysterical from the start and now it’s gone totally (US). A comedy of comedies.
Why? Because they’re not Zionist owned? But then again, they probably are, pulling the puppet strings just like every other network owned and run by the globalists.
Why would anyone believe anything written in an Islamist propaganda machine in the first place?
Hey, you’ll be surprised -people watch Fox.
Nice
Man I hate the media. “Someone said it, so it must be true”. Good for MLB for doing their due diligence and getting this thing figured out. I am happy for both Howard and Zimmerman. I was scared for them because in most cases, big name people are “guilty until proven innocent” rather than the other way around like it is supposed to be.
Super liberal news source reports information and doesn’t investigate for truthfulness.
Then says don’t sue the messenger.
If they actually did their job in the first place, which all media should do and don’t always, by actually investigating the information thoroughly and vetting it properly. Then there possibly isn’t even a story, but hey, what’s it matter as long as you report the information first, false or otherwise?
This country needs a media overhaul any way
Are you calling Al Jazeer “liberal”? This is a network who support The Muslim Brotherhood…. I wouldn’t consider that liberal in any way. But you’re right about this country needing a media overhaul.
washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/10/21/lets…
Oh good point (thanks for the link) my understanding is Al Jazeer America was liberal (never watched it though) but overseas outlets of Al Jazeer they would be like Fox Cable News because they support some whacky religious groups.
Also “liberal” in America is different to “liberal” in say Europe. For example Fox Cable News would be way further to the right in other countries.
To get back to the story though… the fact that their main witness recanted shows that whomever the reporter was didn’t do their homework and validate with a second source. The whole story fell apart because the witness says he was making stuff up to see if the person he was talking to actually knew what he was talking about.
Erm, that’s exactly what a liberal media news outlet would support
Excellent points @johnsilver and @crazymountain – much of American News covered those accusations and some covered it in a way to discredit them but it still left questions in people’s minds (“did they actually do it”?).
But we aren’t free from propaganda, every team’s own local sports stations are propaganda machines for their own teams. Hell my teams homers won’t even mention any controversy with a player or make excuses for them when they are playing badly. I’d like my teams guys to be a little less leaning towards the team and be honestly critical when a player screws up.
This is a joke
What it should say in the article is how then this should keep guys like James Harrison from having to be harassed by Roger Goodell since he was mentioned in the same report and there is nothing to back it up.
MLB cleared them and good for the players, but this story still smells. The person who has recanted his story and refused to meet with MLB officials wasn’t a cooperative source. He was filmed on hidden camera talking about how he was able to help pro athletes dope and beat tests. After he was outed, his story was that he was just making this all up to see if the undercover athlete was legit and knew what he was talking about. I find it odd that he chose two random baseball players who are not very popular among mainstream America and coincidentally also have the same agent.
Al Jezzera/fox news,,its all bs. Baseball CLEAREDvto veteran ballplayers of any wrong doing. Let them play ball!! Of course Howards’ career is American League bound. He needs to re-vitalize his career. 30 games doesn’t fix 3 terrible seasons. And Zimmy needs to show he can stay healthy. Too many trips to the DL the last couple seasons.