The baseball world was collectively stunned yesterday by the announcement of an 80-game suspension for Pirates center fielder Starling Marte, who tested positive for Nandrolone — an anabolic steroid (which, as Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette details, has a long history of use in professional sports). Unsurprisingly, there have been a number of reaction pieces written, to say nothing of significant on-field ramifications for the Bucs, who will be without arguably their best player for half of the 2017 season. Some notable aftereffects and reactions…
- The Pirates have shifted Andrew McCutchen back to center field will utilize a combination of Adam Frazier, Josh Harrison, John Jaso and Jose Osuna (who was called up from Triple-A following Marte’s suspension) in right field, as MLB.com’s Adam Berry writes in an excellent breakdown on the fallout from Marte’s 80-game ban. The Bucs have no plans to shift Josh Bell back to the outfield at this time, per Berry.
- While the immediate reaction from many was that Marte’s suspension could open a window for touted outfield prospect Austin Meadows, GM Neal Huntington ruled out that possibility (also via Berry’s piece). “We’re encouraged by where Meadows will be at some point over the course of the summer,” Huntington told reporters. “He’s not ready right now, but we’re thrilled by where he can go.” It’s hard to refute Huntington’s assessment; even though Meadows clearly comes with a lofty ceiling, he’s followed up last year’s .214/.297/.460 showing in 175 Triple-A plate appearances with a mere .146/.217/.244 line through 46 PAs in Indianapolis this season. The Pirates typically wait until their top prospects have avoided Super Two status before promoting them to the Majors anyhow, but statistically speaking, Meadows has yet to demonstrate that he’s ready for more advanced competition.
- Marte first tested positive early in Spring Training, reports USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, but he was allowed to play through this point in the season as his appeal process played out. Nightengale adds that while the Pirates could theoretically make a run at Angel Pagan now with a hole in the outfield, they’ll likely pass. Huntington suggested that trades aren’t an option at this time, Nightengale adds. In Berry’s column above, Huntington indeed suggested that trades for impact players at this point of the season are “not real,” and he cast some doubt on bringing in a free agent: “We’ll always look for ways to improve the club. It would have to be someone who is a significant upgrade over our internal options.”
- Marte’s teammates, certainly, are disappointed by the news, but they also offered messages of support following the news, writes Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. McCutchen, Josh Harrison, Gregory Polanco and Gerrit Cole were among the members of the Pirates roster quoted in Nesbitt’s column. “He’s not exiled,” Harrison told reporters. “He made a mistake.” Polanco and Cole both referred to Marte as their “brother” when speaking to the media. “When you make a mistake, you gotta pay for it,” McCutchen said to reporters before also voicing his support. “…I’m just trying to be a good friend before I am a teammate.”
- Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was among the players to call for more testing throughout the league. Rizzo was doing an interview with Yahoo’s Big League Stew at the time the news of the suspension hit, and told them (Twitter link): “It kinda makes you angry as a player, because you know there are still flaws in the system, you know there are still guys getting away with it. For me, I’ve been drug tested zero times this year. Not once since the beginning-of-Spring-Training standard drug test. Guys are going to get away with it as long as they can and obviously everybody’s going to say they didn’t know they were doing it.” Many current and former players took to social media to call for more stringent testing policies and, in some cases, harsher punishment for first-time offenders.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney opines that Marte’s suspension taints his legacy in Pittsburgh to the point that he can never provide a suitable return on their long-term investment in him. Marte’s suspension comes early in a pivotal season for the Pirates that may very well be McCutchen’s last year in black and yellow, Olney notes, and Pittsburgh had very little margin for error as it sought to keep up with the Cubs and Cardinals. While it’s hard to disagree with the notion that Marte’s suspension is a poorly timed blow that that Pirates could ill afford, the suggestion that he’s “torpedoed” his value beyond repair seems excessive. Marte is earning a combined $17.5MM in 2018-19 and has a pair of reasonably priced club options for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
- Yahoo’s Jeff Passan lists a number of myths and truths about performance enhancing drugs in a reaction column, ultimately calling for transparency and regulated use of certain substances (though not necessarily Nandrolone). Passan points out that some steroids are already commonly used (e.g. cortisone injections for pain) as a reference point when citing that the term “performance enhancing drugs” is rather arbitrary in its nature. “There is a place for chemistry in baseball and all other sports, and it is in a tightly regulated, ever-evolving partnership with doctors, chemists, politicians, ethicists, management and players to develop fair rules for sport while acknowledging sport itself can benefit from the use of drugs,” writes Passan. “The rules in place now don’t work. They never have. They never will.” Passan also suggests that PEDs will never be eradicated from baseball and disagrees with any suggestion that Marte’s value has somehow been erased by the suspension, among other points.
- Marte might be the best player (at the time of his punishment) to ever receive a suspension for performance enhancing drug use, writes The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh. Lindbergh profiles the numerous reasons that Marte has flown under the radar as one of Major League Baseball’s most underrated and unheralded stars in recent years, though certainly now that view will be tainted in the eyes of many. As Lindberg adds, there’s a cascading effect of Marte’s suspension, in that the downturn in the Pirates’ expected performance will now make a trade of McCutchen and, eventually, a promotion of Meadows all the more likely.
Flaw in the system that allows a player who has failed a substance abuse test to play in regular season games during appeal process.
I don’t see that as a flaw. Appeals have a substantive due process value. Material punishment after confirmation of failed test is appropriate.
Appeal that allows a cheater to play and influence outcome of games is a flaw in the system. An appeal process that goes on for approximately 6 weeks is ridiculous. Why not suspend without pay and if the appeal is upheld then player is made whole.
Because the player cannot be made whole if he already missed games. And the team is definitely not made hole with lost production.
His suspension is the same as if he started it 3 weeks ago. Nothing has changed. He will still be just as much of a cheater when he comes back and plays games then.
There isn’t really a flaw here at all, the appeal process changed nothing.
I disagree. During the appeal the player was allowed to engage in and likely effect the outcome of regular season games — and it turns out that he is a cheater. Marte is only sorry that he got caught and a cheater should not be allowed to play in regular season games. How many appeals under the substance abuse program has been overturned? I cannot recall even 1
He tested positive in Spring Training so there is a whole month before the start of the season so the drug is for sure out of his system by the time the regular season happens. Plus this was the same as all other guys Dee Gordon Chris Collabello etc. its the same with a suspension for throwing at someones head. You can play during the appeal process but unlike those suspensions you cant take it whenever. The only reason Ryan Braun wasnt able to play is because it was at the end of the year he got caught.
the effects of steroids do not just disappear over a brief period of time but the point is that he is an admitted cheater who was allowed (under the current procedures) to play and have bearing on regular season games. My point remains the same, I believe the process should be changed.
But the number of games he influenced does not change, only their timing does.
He influenced 10 games, then serves his suspension, then comes back and influences the remaining 72. If he didn’t appeal, he’s serve his suspension, then come back and influence 82 games instead. Either way, he’s influencing a total of 82 games.
Whether those games were played before or after his suspension has no significance at all. 80 games is 80 games.
Innocent until proven guilty is a basic tenet of law. The appeal process is a necessary part, to test the strength of the claim of guilt, so as to (try to) prevent false claims.
If MLB did not follow this process, they and the union could be open to lawsuits. Though collectively bargained, the rules of MLB cannot overwrite the law of the land.
I was going to point this out but you beat me to it.
they can retroactive pay him for games he should have been paid for
Appeals need to happen. Raul Mondesi, just last year, won an appeal and got his suspension reduced by almost 40%.
no where did I write that appeals should be eliminated
No you wrote that players should be suspended while their suspensions are being appealed. Which is so unbelievably disagreeable that it is not even worth the time to argue against.
happens in industry all of the time for just cause, especially in the cases of substance abuse.
> no where did I write that appeals should be eliminated
What you wrote makes unjust suspensions highly punitive for the innocent party AND their team. What good is served by such a prejudicial process? Who in their right mind would agree to it?
The alternative would be to suspend during the appeals process. How does that player/team get those games back upon winning the appeal?
Obviously games cannot be made up, but if league has done its job of investigating and assuring that there is just cause (you can look up the 7 steps for just cause) then the immediate suspension is warranted and unlikely to be overturned. How many suspensions have been overturned completely through the appeals process? I cannot recall even 1.
I looked it up, Braun’s suspension was overturned the first time — on a technicality that league failed to follow the proper procedures.
Correct. He said the collector probably tampered with his sample after he collected it. Of course we all know the aftermath of that accusation. I agree it’s hard to suspend players without going through the appeals process, but I feel if you fess up once you are confronted then you should perhaps be suspended 50 games, but if you appeal and lose then they should add another 50 games onto the suspension. This would encourage the cheaters to fess up and own their $hit or risk losing out of twice as much income (and time away from the game) and also the possible backlash from players and fans. Just a thought.
Exactly Dookie Howser! If they win their appeal and they are suspended how do they make those games up? So you cannot say they cant play during the appeal process. Its just like in court you are innocent until proven guilty. They cant just say your suspended starting now.
This has been asked multiple times now with no answers, but I’ll ask it again – How many suspensions have been completely overturned through the appeal process? The only one I’m aware of is Braun, and that was because of a technicality, and it shouldn’t have been overturned to begin with.
It is an 80 game suspension, meaning 80 games he cannot play in and effect the outcome of. Does it really matter if it was 80 games stating with 1/162 or 13/162?
The Bucs have clearly seen better days…sellers this year??? But then again, what do they have to sell??
Cutch, Cervelli, Cole, Freese, Watson, Hudson, Harrison, Nova, Jaso, Mercer
does jaso have a hit yet?
I don’t think so, but he only has like 15AB I think.
they have a lot of useful people on the team that can get the team some nice prospects
They have plenty to sell. Do you watch baseball?
PEDs
Cutch and Watson are nearly certain to be dealt. Cole is unlikely to be traded, but the right offer could change that. Harrison if they could find a taker.
This was going to happen regardless.
As long as they stay patient and don’t rush players, like Meadows, it’s for the best.
The only thing that might change going forward is Marte, if he’s not the same player without the juice. That’s possible and a big issue.
PEDs will always be an issue, with players trying to circumvent the system until the punishments become too harsh for them to consider it. The only proposal that I believe would drastically deter usage:
No suspensions or anything like that, just go for the money. Anyone who tests positive for PEDs automatically forfeits whatever contract they have, and for the rest of their baseball career their annual earnings are capped at the same as an everyday average American, or about $52,000 per year. I’d also include a clause in their contracts that prohibits them from accepting income/contracts from any outside organization, i.e., endorsements, while also having a contract to play major league baseball.
Players use PEDs for one reason…to get paid. And I’m not faulting them. If I was in their position, with a chance to hit on an 8 or 9 figure deal for a couple of years worth of PEDs—and risking the prospect of an 80 game suspension—well, it sure beats the heck out of the alternative that far more athletes face. But if they want it completely eliminated from the game, attach lifetime penalties to the MONEY
we know union will not agree to something that harsh but there is no doubt the penalties must be stronger to be considered a deterrent
Voiding contracts for PED usage would never fly for a number of reasons. The Union would never concede to it, for starters. But beyond that, can you imagine the ridiculous legal nightmares that would ensue if a player with several years to go on a terrible contract suddenly tested positive? Say Ryan Howard had tested positive in 2013 — right or wrong, the immediate speculation would be that someone with the team slipped him something to get out from underneath the contract.
And while it’s unfortunate to say, it’s also not entirely inconceivable to think that it could actually happen. There are hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in these contracts, and tearing up a terrible deal would be enormously beneficial to both a team and an owner.
I’d also disagree with the notion that players solely use PEDs to get paid. Marte is a prime example; he’s got $31MM already locked up and wasn’t going to be a free agent for another four years. His use wasn’t about securing more money, unless you think he’s been juicing for his entire career, with regularity, and was able to skirt the punishment until now. Considering he tested positive for a blatant anabolic steroid, that seems unlikely, albeit certainly not impossible (especially if he previously used more discreet substances).
There are numerous reasons for a player to take a performance enhancing drug (which Passan’s column does a nice job of outlining), not the least of which is expediting rehab from an injury. That’s not said to excuse Marte, but simply to suggest that PED usage wouldn’t go away with even the most extreme penalties. Players would still take illegal substances to try to prolong their careers, perhaps for no other reason than because they love playing and want to remain competitive.
Ultimately, I just can’t envision a scenario where players are ever going to stop trying to circumvent the rules. It’s an industry where tens or hundreds of millions of dollars are up for grabs. No amount of punishment will stop people from seeking an edge through channels that are expressly forbidden by the game’s rules when there’s that type of reward on the table.
That’s a good point on the voiding of contracts–no way MLBPA would consent, and you can easily see the potential taint of it in true dead contracts where the player is being paid anyway.
And logic doesn’t always hold here. Marte was already locked in.. and he wasn’t in a contract year and there’s no reason to think there would be an extension, especially with the affordable options.. So there were virtually no incentive for Marte to juice–but he did.
Finally, Steve’s last observation is almost certainly correct. No matter what the penalty, some players are going to be tempted to cheat. The money–and the ego–are too big an inducement. Athletes in all sports have been found to use PEDs. Nature of the beast.
Teams and players *both* benefit from PED usage, I believe that MLB should a) suspend first-time offenders 80 games, b) void the player’s contract, c) force the player’s team to pay the balance of the voided contract regardless of its value or duration as a fine, d) prohibit the player and any team from signing him to any more than a one-year contract the next offseason after he returns from the suspension, and e) impose an additional year of team control and arbitration eligibility on the player effective the second offseason after his return from the suspension–regardless of whether the player had accrued 6 years of service time by the end of his first full season back.
Team and player penalties of that nature would certainly dis-incentivize bad behavior on both sides and finally hold management accountable for its role in the continued use of PEDs.
However, I agree with Steve that the MLBPA is unlikely to ever approve voiding contracts under any circumstances and am therefore skeptical any policy with real teeth will be implemented any time soon.
I also agree that the player’s association would never agree to such penalties, and the owners wouldn’t ever even attempt to push something like this through. Everyone in baseball benefits from PED usage…it saved the game after the strike in ’94, and put people in seats.
I don’t ever expect the game to be 100% clean because the people that it affects would rather have eye-popping numbers and performances than a clean game. People today have limited attention spans, and need constant stimulation…something that performance-enhancing drugs create.
Revocation of contract for the player, team pays contract money to MLBPA retirement system, loss of all MLB service time for player (he is a rookie again).
Either than or the same punishments as amateur sports. 2 years first offfense. 2nd offense permanent.
Either will be a deterrent. What we have now isn’t. If a cheating player just takes a long vacation then comes back and gets more money then the system is fatally flawed. It is rewarding cheating, not deterring it. It isn’t enough to just say there will always be cheating and what we have is enough. Its time for MLB to come up with actions that actually penalize the player who is cheating.
I can’t think of a single good reason for a player to not take steroids.
A Rod made over $500 million, dated supermodel after supermodel and will one day be inducted into the Baseball HOF alongside Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens by gutless and/or clueless writers.
Jhonny Peralta and others have been given huge contracts after getting caught.
There is every incentive to do it and no real disincentive to not do it.
Except maybe for the future health issues that come from the use of peds.
Yea. Got to look out for your future health as well… Also, there is a point where you can only get caught so many times..
If you do some research, you’ll find that they’re not as unsafe as you think in responsible doses. I actually remember reading something a few years ago, from the FDA or something like that, which labelled as (in prescribed doses), tylenol, ibuprofen and aspirin as some of the absolute worst medication for your body, and while there were some steroids on that list, they were faaaar down that list.
It’s the people that abuse them that have the best chance at the health issues.
i could be wrong but i would bet any nfl player has a greater threat of “future health issues” than any steroid using mlb player
Is this a joke?!?!? Hahahaha!!!!
I’ve posted numerous comments on this site about the on-going use of ped’s in baseball and the lack of over sight and punishment. Look at Rizzo’s statements…”I’ve been drug tested zero times this year. Not once since the beginning-of-Spring-Training standard drug test. Guys are going to get away with it as long as they can and obviously everybody’s going to say they didn’t know they were doing it.” That says it all. ..and if people think Marte is the only guy doing it then they are missing the forest for the trees.
The Buster Olney article is so pathetic its almost comical. We shouldnt even give him the privilege of having it linked here. He seems to think Marte was a replacement level player before and will be even worse when he comes back. He must of used a first round fantasy pick on him
In 4 full seasons, he has averaged around 5WAR per season. Why do I even bother commenting sometimes?
Did u miss my point? Im saying he has already provided plenty of value for the 31 million contract
What are you talking about? Did you even read the article? The Olney article says the exact opposite. The Pirates were betting big on Marte being the centerpiece of the their franchise for years to come – and no year more important than this one when they still had McCutchen on the team. Olney says that without Marte, Pittsburgh is losing one of its best shots a deep playoff run this year, which would have been huge for a small market franchise.
He specifically says Marte’s contract will not provide any value. Marte has already provided enough value to cover the whole contract. Plus the many examples of guys coming back to perform at a high level after the suspension
No, he does not “specifically” say that Marte’s contract will not provide any value. What he said is that Marte’s value to the organization has plummeted. If you read the context of the article, you would understand that Olney is saying that the real investment that the Pirates made in Marte was the devotion of their limited resources (including not only the $31million, but also the years to scout and train) with the goal of being competitive in this narrow window. By Marte being out this season, the chances of a deep playoff push for the Pirates declined even more.
I agree with you that Marte’s contract is still a steal once he comes back, and I am sure Olney would as well. What he is saying that Marte’s value to Pittsburgh collapsed since when he comes back, they may have missed their window. Think of kind of a lesser Mike Trout wasting away in Anaheim situation
And what Olney misses with those comments is the fact that the window was likely already closed before this suspension happened. Unless they planned on making a significant trade this summer, this was a pretty mediocre team going into the year.
A deep playoff run is worth about $40 million to a team’s revenue including increased revenue the following season. A WS win much, much more.
A-Rod was pretty good(although the steroids probably helped), maybe I misread the last paragraph.
He jumped into my head first, but Lindberg was saying that A-Rod was on the decline at that point, whereas Marte is still in his prime with good years ahead making him the “best”.
There is an option here, although it’s one virtually none of us would like. Decriminalize PED use. The problem, of course, it that pressure to use would be immense. You could even see FO’s pushing it.
If they decriminalize it, can you imagine the $$ MLB would have to pay out 30-50 years from now settling lawsuits because of health issues/deaths that arise because they allowed it? No chance they flip 180 after all the work and money they have put into the policies over the past 15 years.
Plus when is the line drawn? From amateur to pro? As much as I understand the potential positives of decriminalizing it, this will bleed over to college, high school, and dare I say, even children.
blah, isnt that kind of saying if you decriminalize cocaine that its going to pour into colleges, high schools and children? if your gonna do it, your gonna do it. i dont smoke and when marijuana was made legal, i didnt decide to start smoking. if im a borderline major leaguer and steroids could get me a multi million dollar contract, i might consider it wether its legal or not. in the end, your personal morals should win
Amazing how this changes the landscape and thoughts of their season. Up until opening day many were thinking they going to unload some prospects for Quintana. Now the talk is the exact opposite.
I agree with the comments on Lindbergh’s article. Ryan Braun is the best player (at the time of his punishment) to receive a suspension for PEDs. Marte is close though.
Just plain ignorant. The MLB gives player a list of EXACTLY what is banned. Dummy. I love the fact that the suspended player is not allowed to be postseason eligible as well.
“Polanco and Marte both referred to Marte as their “brother” when speaking to the media.”
Marte refers to himself in 3rd person and as his “brother” apparently…
“The baseball world was collectively stunned…..”
Stunned? Why? Most people are never stunned by this type of news, because it always happens.
The Baseball WRITERS were stunned. There corrected it.
There’s someone we’re forgetting….the poor dealer in this story. How’s the guy supposed to pay his bills now!!!
In a game where they hand out millions like lunch money, you’re telling me they can’t find the time to do regular, schedules, monthly testing?
I am a life long Pirates fan and I am very disappointed by Marte actions. I also feel sorry for these players who has or have not tested for PEDs. The system is flawed and should be adjusted. I also think that MLB needs to invest money into developing healthy muscle relaxers. These players play 164 games 6-7 months out of the year. More games played as some make it to the postseason. The beating that baseball puts on these players, can break down the average human. From slides to being “plucked” by a pitch, these guys take a lot of physical punishment.
I think that this also goes beyond baseball too. MLB is not the only sport that humans (players) take a physical beating throughout a long season. I can only imagine guys like Ruth, Gehrig, Aaron, Roberson, Joe Carter, Clemente, or any other hall of famer, used to “help” their careers. The aches and pains are real even for past, present, and future players. I find the “medicine” MLB provides for players, isn’t enough to prevent players from wanting to go outside of baseball for possible “healing”.
Now I realize with writers and critics want to say this player is a cheater. All cheaters need longer and harshest of penalties. How harsh is a penalty can you get if you will NEVER see the HoF regardless of how great you where after testing for PEDs. Just ask Pete Rose what it feels like to be isolated from HoF and baseball itself. You want harshest of penalties, then fix the testing system so test are only random to a few players a season. Don’t start “banning” players because the system is corrupted. I felt the same way when Bruan was suspended years ago. If you can’t test all MLB players, they don’t test at all. Anyone with money can “buy” themselves out of a drug test. You don’t hear too many big name players testing positive for PEDs. Just like Rizzo said, “I don’t even get tested”, it speaks volumes of where MLB is at in its “strict” drug testing policy. Fix what is broke before you send out bigger suspensions.
Oh boohoo..these players make millions and the cost of penalties doesn’t outweigh the allure of the contracts. Until the system of guaranteed contracts and being payed for past performance in long term contracts are corrected players will cheat to get ahead. Rose cheated the game in a totally different way..oh and by the way these players could give a crap about the HOF. This is instant gratification,take it now pay me now and I’ll worry about the consequences millions later!
You sound about as biased as any noob would. Pete cheated baseball like these people cheated baseball. On the contrary, him being isolated from baseball, it a reference to what it would be like with banning players with PEDs. Some will make poor decisions. Price will be paid but I seriously doubt harshest of penalties will solve the problem.
These players are humans and not machines. They deal with a lot of physical contact that the normal average person doesn’t deal with daily. Travel and time zones also plays part in each players physical endurance. These guys get paid millions, but that doesn’t mean they should be justified by their pay. Anyone with millions of dollars are subject to substance abuse. Actors and singers are just a few that have had some sort of illegal “substance” in their body. From PEDs to your common Marijuana, each person is capable of using it.
But back to the real problem, these players are not a machines. Even machines break down over continuous use. They are humans as we are. They deserve a better system to help themselves stay healthy and fit through the course of their season or career. There is no clear direction for baseball to provide medical treatment to the abuse these athletes take. They don’t test every player in a season. Some players may never be tested for PEDs. The system is still flawed and suspensions or bans should be left alone until MLB fixes their flaws. As much as MLB makes in a season, they can afford to test every player. MLB lacks the support of their players since the start of professional ball. Unless ownership of all 30 clubs can help their players, I don’t see a reason to add more punishment.
And for these players not caring about the HoF, I think that is one of your biggest biased comments along with making millions. Every player dreams of 2 things. The World Series and being elected into the HoF. The HoF is a great honor and recognized throughout the world of one person self achievement. These guys care about their careers just as much as we care about our own success. Again, they are humans.
That is the biggest load I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading. The players are human and not machines..what a load of crap. Each team has a medical staff that is payed to review whatever a player wants to put in their body’s if consulted by such player. How would you know they don’t test every player? Is it because of Rizzo stated he’s not tested..ps it’s a random system.
Please don’t compare PED use with these players to needing something for recovery and at the same time questioning the greats..by the way they traveled coach on trains. Please don’t bring up time zones and more travel because the players of the past spent more time in route to games by that transportation even though the teams were scattered closer in the east.
Just because you think they care about the HOF doesn’t make it so..it’s about the Benjamin’s. Don’t blame the league or the owners who are paying this guy for an example an exorbitant amount to play a game. Yes the harshest of penalties will solve the problem because the more who see what could happen would deter more from using. You threaten anyone’s livelihood and their sure to think twice along with others and if not bye by! Finally you come off as a blatant apologist because PED’s are not like musicians or actors using other drugs.
And you seriously think your “theory” is better and more appropriate? You are a biased mind and not thinking about how flawed this system is. Several big names have expressed their “lack” of PEDs testing. Your ramblings about how much they make, is not really compiling to the corruption or flaws in the PEDs testing. I begin to wonder if your jealousy of their wealth blinds you from the real matter on hand.
Travel does play a huge part in their physical endurance. Sometimes teams go 3 to 4 cities within 2 weeks. Travel by air is exhausting enough, but to do it multiple times in a course of a few weeks, would weigh heavy on the mind and body. These guys do this for 7+ months and then go out to compete everyday. Some fans (as you are the example) believe that with the millions they make, they can be abused physically and have no side effects. I have taken steroids on a few injuries I sustained. And they where medical treatments. Baseball forbids any type of steroid to treat injuries. In some cases, steroids are proven to be effective in treating muscle damages. So, these athletes try to find something as close (but legal) to listed PEDs they can find to help treat the injuries their bodies take.
Past players are subjective to PEDs as present and future players. Not only until the 90s that PEDs where known (Censco book) in baseball. So any of our greats could have used PEDs. It is just unknown because there was never a testing system during those times. Either way, these guys are humans. Quit treating them like robots or machines. The bleed the same color as you and I. They carry the same emotions and pain as we do. They are human. Humans make mistakes for the good or bad. Punishing them for trying to find a medical treatment, is unfair to them. Bruan or Marte have their reasons to be connected to PEDs. We will never understand why they did or do because we are not professional players.
BOTTOM LINE DUDE HE CHEATED AND NONE OF YOUR EXCUSES OR HIS APOLOGY MATTER.
Of course it matters. It is a human being on the wrong side of the discussions. No one is perfect and judging him by a poor decision, is being biased and discriminative.
MLB PED rules and bans are a joke until the teams and executives are punished along with players. The Team president needs to be suspended along with the player and the team should have to forfeit games where sanctioned players participate. This will create the incentive needed to police players and to avoid signing known criminals. Sterling Marte is a criminal and the Pirates who used him knowing he was using PEDs should forfeit the first 14 games played this year. F’ing cheaters.
He’s not a criminal. He broke a league rule, he didn’t murder someone. (See: NFL) It’s not even an illegal drug like marijuana (see: NFL), but it is banned and he is being punished according to the rules of the CBA. But if you think he is a criminal, you either don’t know what the word means or you have some other reason for falsely ascribing this word.
If you want to see criminals, I suggest you look at the guys who worked for the cardinals and are now in jail. They’re actual criminals.
your an idiot. he is a criminal the same way i am for going 68 on the freeway today in a 65 zone
Whether or not MLB improves and/or increases PED testing, it at least needs to tighten up the appeals process. The current (maximum) timetable for appealing a positive PED test (during which the player remains active):
-3 days for the testing administrator to inform parties of a positive test result
-7 days (after informing parties) to perform second test on sample to verify positive result
-3 days (after verification) for parties to confer about positive test
-10 days (if player appeals) for Arbitration Panel to convene
-25 days (after Panel hears case) for Panel to issue its decision
-5 days (if Panel sustains suspension) before suspension becomes effective for player
Total: up to 53 days
I’m all for doing due diligence and giving a player’s reps adequate time to prepare a defense, but 53 days seems exorbitant. For a situation like Marte’s, in particular, an appeal is a transparent delay/stall tactic. The Arbitration Panel cannot reduce the suspension of a player who tested positive for Nandrolone. Short of getting off on a technicality, Marte’s suspension was going to be 80 games from the moment it was verified during ST.
I’m a Pirates fan and I like Marte. But just once, I would like to hear a teammate or the manager say “Yeah, I’m really disappointed in him. His irresponsible decision basically just tanked our season. We can’t afford these kinds of ‘mistakes’.”