It's finally next year....BASEBALL IS BACK!

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by macallan25
Also, I was listening to ESPN radio and they had some interesting statistics. Of the 104 players that have failed drug tests for steroids, more than 54% of them have been pitchers. So before people start bashing all of the great hitters in MLB, they may want to consider the fact that there was a very good possibility of them having to face a juiced up pitcher every game.

That's the thing people don't get - steroids can help pitchers too, as far as velocity, stamina, and other factors. It's affecting both sides, pitching and hitting.

Luis Gonzalez is an interesting case; his home runs went down, but his batting average was still higher than it had been for the first few years of his career. He wasn't a bad player in his first few years; he just wasn't putting up the numbers he did the last five years or so.

It's almost like waiting for the next shoe to drop; who's going to be snagged, and is it going to be someone we expect, or someone random (like Matt Lawton).

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by KSigkid
It's almost like waiting for the next shoe to drop; who's going to be snagged, and is it going to be someone we expect, or someone random (like Matt Lawton).

According to people who study this sort of thing, by FAR the most common case is someone like Matt Lawton - that's also (one reason) why there are multiple minor leaguers caught for every MLB player*: the 'classic' steroid case, so far, has been a guy trying to 'hang on' or 'take the leap' or recover from injury faster (Lawton was pretty much all three, w/ the NYY).

You should really pick up Will Carroll's book "The Juice: The Real Story of Baseball's Drug Problems" - Carroll writes for Baseball Prospectus as their injury guy, he's head of some national athletic training orgs. It's pretty unbiased, and he gets a couple of guys to (anonymously) do 'case studies' - one minor leaguer, one major leaguer, and one guy who helped develop what became known as 'the Cream' at BALCO.

Interesting stuff - CS, I'll send you my copy if you want . . .

*Obviously there are other reasons - for instance, major leaguers can afford to pay more for 'designer' (and more likely undetectable) substances . . . rounds of hGH and IGF-1 cost around $1k/mo., so obviously these will be more of a problem at the highest level.

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by KSig RC
According to people who study this sort of thing, by FAR the most common case is someone like Matt Lawton - that's also (one reason) why there are multiple minor leaguers caught for every MLB player*: the 'classic' steroid case, so far, has been a guy trying to 'hang on' or 'take the leap' or recover from injury faster (Lawton was pretty much all three, w/ the NYY).

You should really pick up Will Carroll's book "The Juice: The Real Story of Baseball's Drug Problems" - Carroll writes for Baseball Prospectus as their injury guy, he's head of some national athletic training orgs. It's pretty unbiased, and he gets a couple of guys to (anonymously) do 'case studies' - one minor leaguer, one major leaguer, and one guy who helped develop what became known as 'the Cream' at BALCO.

Interesting stuff - CS, I'll send you my copy if you want . . .

*Obviously there are other reasons - for instance, major leaguers can afford to pay more for 'designer' (and more likely undetectable) substances . . . rounds of hGH and IGF-1 cost around $1k/mo., so obviously these will be more of a problem at the highest level.

Oh absolutely, there are other issues with it, and that's a big reason why I'm interested to see who actually is caught. Is it a pitcher in his late 30's who is still throwing in the upper 90's? Is it one of those hanger-ons, or will it be the stud slugger that people automatically associate with roids?

I like Carrol's writing, so I may have to pick that up. I'm going to pick up the book by the two San Fran reporters, so maybe I'll just get all my roid reading out of the way at once.

[macallan25]

Both of you make good points. Obviously there is such a high number of minor leaguers getting positive test results because they are all looking for that little edge that can take them to the next level. Personally, I don't think Louis Gonzalez ever took steroids. He never had the look of someone that was on them. I played college baseball and saw up close what it does to people and he just never looked the part. When you are around it alot it become really easy to see. I think a great example is Eric Gagne. Acne, big square head, big upper body, threw absolute gas night in and night out.....and now the steroid scandal blows up and he is so hurt all of the time he can't play....which is a pretty classic case of what happens to your body after you wean yourself off the drugs.

I really don't think there are is any excuse for more major leaguers to get caught now, unless they are just really really dumb.

[ZTAMich]

Seeing the Yankees play Texas in May, Blue Jays & Braves in July, Orioles &Tigers in August and Tampa Bay & Orioles again in September....all for $35!!! So excited.

[BobbyTheDon]

Originally posted by ZTAMich
Seeing the Yankees play Texas in May, Blue Jays & Braves in July, Orioles &Tigers in August and Tampa Bay & Orioles again in September....all for $35!!! So excited.

First of all, this isn't the New Random thread. Second of all, HOW are you doing this? What about California? Angels? Padres?

[ZTAMich]

Originally posted by BobbyTheDon
First of all, this isn't the New Random thread. Second of all, HOW are you doing this? What about California? Angels? Padres?

First of all shut up you love me
Second of all...discount packs, a totally new concept I just heard of today. We're doing Pack #2. $5 a night ticket packs
Some of these other discounted packs of tickets look good too...some are still $$$ but others are a little more reasonable.discount packs

Perhaps the smartest thing the Yankees do is offer these discounted tickets pack!

**and I must add...the seats aren't that great, Tier Box, Tier Reserved but can't go wrong with a cheap ticket, a beer & baseball with friends

[polarpi]

Originally posted by BobbyTheDon
Second of all, HOW are you doing this? What about California? Angels? Padres?

Padres don't play the Yankees this year (It'd be perfect if they did in August back in NY, as I'll be back there visiting my best friend, who's a HUGE Yankees fan!! )

But I *may* get her to take me to a Mets game so she can root for the Padres

[Thrillhouse]

Originally posted by ZTAMich
First of all shut up you love me
Second of all...discount packs, a totally new concept I just heard of today. We're doing Pack #2. $5 a night ticket packs
Some of these other discounted packs of tickets look good too...some are still $$$ but others are a little more reasonable.discount packs

Perhaps the smartest thing the Yankees do is offer these discounted tickets pack!

**and I must add...the seats aren't that great, Tier Box, Tier Reserved but can't go wrong with a cheap ticket, a beer & baseball with friends

Nice

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by ZTAMich
Seeing the Yankees play Texas in May, Blue Jays & Braves in July, Orioles &Tigers in August and Tampa Bay & Orioles again in September....all for $35!!! So excited.

That is awesome. I have to get to the Stadium this summer, it's been too long.

ETA: I'd heard of the Yankees doing similar packages in the past (cheap weekday tickets), but nothing that included so many games.

[ZTAMich]

Tonite's "don't come here if you're afraid of heights" tickets for Rangers V Yankees were surprisingly AWESOME. We were waaaay up but on the third base line and had a great view of the whole field. Sort of wanted to leave after the disasterous first few innings but what a comeback thanks to Jeter & Posada!! $5 for the seat too!!

[KSigkid]

So Michael Barrett did what about half of baseball has wanted to do for a long time...

Also, with all the injury problems the Yankees are having, I hope they don't do something stupid like trade Philip Hughes for a washed-up veteran.

[KSigkid]

Clemens is coming back to Houston:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2464315

[sigtau305]

Originally posted by KSigkid
Clemens is coming back to Houston:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2464315

didn't surprise me. I knew he was going back to the Astros.

[HBADPi]

Originally posted by KSigkid
Clemens is coming back to Houston:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2464315

Doesnt suprise me either, he was teasing NY and BOS just so he could get the best deal.