Blog Title: Steroid Nation

Boston police involved in steroid scandal

Police everywhere appear to abusing steroids. New York, Florida, Texas, Phoenix, Cleveland to name a few municipalities. Now Boston police are involved in a steroid, drugs, and hooker scandal. Police officers, like everyone else, sometimes behave badly. Eight officers were suspended after a three-year investigation into steroid use by the BPD, FBI and the U.S Attorney. Four other cops were suspended for visiting the "Boom Boom Room", a Hyde Park brothel. The steroid-related suspensions range from 5-80 days. The Herald said Commissioner Ed Davis confirmed a grand jury is investigating the "Boom Boom Room". Extensive details on both matters are...

2003 Major League Baseball steroids list: fact or fiction

Apparently a list of 104 players testing positive during the 2003 MLB preliminary steroids testing, surfaced on the net yesterday. There is no way of knowing the authenticity of such a compilation of names. It could be fantasy, or it could be a leak -- which did not find outlet through a credible source. If such a list were available, then why did Senator Mitchell not discover the document during his well-financed, thorough investigation? Links are found here (Rotoworld) and here (The Big Lead)

Play the Game 2009

We are in Coventry England to present papers at WADA's Play the Game Conference. We apologize for the lapse in coverage of the steroid and doping scene; however we can tell you that Prime Minster Gordon Brown is in a bit of a predicament. Catch up with things later. Greg Lemond is on the podium today...should be interesting.

Tampa newspaper reports on teen bodybuilding

Tampa Bay Online carries a piece on teen bodybuilding, which at face value should present an activity for health, self-esteem, and socialization. Obviously there is some risk, as with sports in general. One risk is the exposure to PEDs and steroids. Among the problems delimited in the story were the troubles with adolescent steroid use. ...Camona, of the American Council of Exercise, said supplements don't have a lasting effect, so competitors looking for an edge could turn to banned performance enhancers such as steroids. In some bodybuilding circles, steroids are the ultimate answer. In May, a national professional bodybuilding competition...

Doping suspension hits University of Calgory Dinos linebacker Duncan McLean

A University of Calgary Dinos football player will be suspended for doping the next two seasons. That's right, the Dinos are officially dopers. University of Calgary Dinos football player has been removed from the team and deemed ineligible for play in Canadian Interuniversity Sport for two years after a positive doping test. Linebacker Duncan McLean tested positive for Oxymetholone metabolites, an anabolic steroid on the 2009 World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, following an out-of-competition urine test March 20. McLean completed his third-year with the Dinos in 2008, playing in seven regular season and two playoff games. "The University of Calgary...

Summary of recent Texas steroid bust

For more complete coverage of the large Texas steroid bust last week, and much more comprehensive than we can offer, go to this site --- Mesomorphis. Operation Farmacia de Juicy Phruit is the code name for the major steroid bust in Houston led by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department involving the arrest of 73 defendants. The “largest narcotics operation in the history of Fort Bend County” primarily involved the arrest of personal trainers, their clients, bodybuilders, a professional bodybuilder and a gym owner in the Houston area. Many of the arrests only involved steroid possession. The steroid network was...

California physician Ramon Scruggs pleads guilty

The US District Attorney received some PR, and California steroids doctor Ramon Scruggs copped some pleas it was announced yesterday. As readers recall, Scruggs was a major supplier of steroids and PEDs to professional athletes, and apparently normal people too. To the Imperial Valley News: United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams announced that Dr. Ramon Scruggs pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to illegally distribute anabolic steroids and illegally smuggle human growth hormone into the United States, and one count of money laundering, in violation. Dr....

Danica Patrick gets caught in typical thinking" "It aint cheating unless you get caught"

How many times have we heard it? It ain't a foul unless the ref blows the whistle. It ain't cheating unless you get caught. It ain't illegal unless you get arrested. Danica Patrick knows it. Not to advocate a world of obsessive rules, bureaucratic entanglements, and snitches, but really can we ever expect to make a dent (to coin a phrase) in cheating and drug-cheating if this attitude permeates the world? Don't hold your breath waiting for change. To the Seattle Times: The CEO of U.S. Anti-Doping Agency isn't amused by driver's comment in Sports Illustrated: IndyCar driver Danica Patrick...

Big Poppy, David Ortiz, enmeshed in controversy

Pity David Ortiz, Big Poppy of the Boston Red Sox, crowd pleaser, slugger magnificent, and humble star appears welled in a nasty slump that has led to talk and suspicion about steroids. Ortiz has never admitted steroids or other PEDs. Ortiz's name never showed up on an Internet list of PED buyers. Ortiz has not even incurred the wrath of Jose Canseco. Because Poppy shows no pop in his bat this year, at age 33 Ortiz is hitting .185. The talk in 2009 is that Poppy came down from steroids. Of course there is no real evidence Ortiz is suffering...

Busted steroid dealer in Florida says he supplied Washington Capitals and Nationals players

A drug peddler in Florida says he supplied steroids to professional athletes including Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals players. What might be significant would be a connection to the Caps and steroid use in the NHL. Never hear much about PEDs in the NHL. Original report here. To the Washington Times: Law enforcement officials in Lakeland, Fla., on Tuesday arrested two people on charges of steroid possession who claim they sold the illegal substances to players on the Washington Nationals and Washington Capitals teams. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said officers arrested Richard and Sandra Thomas on 10 counts of...

Now besieged by problems, Autrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl crashes career

Once close to the top of cycling world, Austrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl retired from the sport, apparently eschewing the dope-for-wins philosophy in pro cycling. Kohl is currently mired in a professional,personal, and legal quagmire of doping, and doping allegations. Reflecting on this event, one cannot but help to think about the twisted culture of pro cycling. Ostensibly based on an activity that promotes health and fitness, all too often pro cycling promotes drug-cheating, dishonesty, and death from doping drugs like EPO. Kohl apparently tired of this nonsense, calling his career kaput. It might be easy to drawn down on Kohl...

MLB fan opinion: High salaries are more problematic for baseball than steroids

The American Chronicle carries a piece on baseball, and the problems fans perceive. Apparently salaries -- which are set by supply and demand -- are perceived are more problematic than steroid-cheats. I was watching Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN 2 today (March 2009), when they discussed an interesting survey conducted with baseball fans. The question: What is the one thing that is most responsible bringing Major League Baseball down? Both Mikes thought the majority would say high ticket prices, but this was only 23%. Even the steroids abuse was only 22%. The answer that received 51% was...

Korean baseball players juice too: Ma Hae-Yeong

A top Korean professional baseball player leaked the juice: Korean pro ballers 'roid up too. Mae Hae-Yeong's new book on his time in the Koren leagues reveals some juice, which has caused quite a stir. To Donga.com Xports’ commentator Ma Hae-yeong, who once played for the Lotte Giants, unleashed harsh criticism yesterday through his newly published memoirs, “The Original Character of Baseball (Those Who Have the Future).” The slugger made his debut for Lotte in 1995. After being traded to the Samsung Lions in 2001, the Kia Tigers in 2004, and the LG Twins in 2006, Ma returned to Lotte...

Catch me if you can: Did world class cyclists -- including Bernhard Kohl and Michael Rasmussen -- engage in doping conspiracy?

It's one thing to run afoul of the press and the fans using PEDs as a drug-cheat as we saw with Manny Ramirez. Manny lost a few million dollars, and lost some face with the fans and the Hall of Fame voters. However, it is quite another thing to be charged in a criminal prosecution. World class cyclists -- elite competitors -- Bernhard Kohl and Michael Rasmussen appear to be targets of Austrian prosecutors as part of an international doping conspiracy. To Monsters and Critics: Vienna prosecutors said Monday that they had started criminal proceedings against cyclists Bernhard Kohl from...

Nonotechnology for PED/HGH detection?

Interesting concept: use of nanotechnology to monitor doping, even those compounds difficult to assay. A Virginia-based biotechnology company, Ceres uses its patented Nanotrap™ -- a spherical, carbon-based nanoparticle designed to collect, concentrate, isolate and preserve the smallest and scarcest of molecules found in body fluids -- to pursue a range of applications in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as uses in sports doping screening, homeland security and environmental remediation. Ceres and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency have partnered to study the potential for a viable urine-based test for the detection of human growth hormone (HGH). Laboratory findings recently...

Ryan Theriot and Rick Telander meet: No steroids, no HGH, no bull

ESPN carries a story of reporter/columnist Rick Telander meeting Cub shortstop Ryan Theriot to talk about the column where the reporter discusses the cloud hovering over baseball since the steroid era came to town. Theroit knew he was not under steroid suspicion, rather his May outburst (5 home runs) was used as a point of discussion about why everyone is under suspicion in the MLB. The writer and the player met on the field after Sunday's game to discuss the Sun-Times' article and headline that attached Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot's latest power surge to baseball's performance-enhancing drug problem. Sun-Times columnist...

Ex-San Jose State Spartan, ex-American Gladiator reveals steroid secrets

Former San Jose Spartan football player, and American Gladiator regular discusses steroid and PED use in an insightful manner. Dan Clark discusses steroid use in his new book -- the effects and the side effects. The problem is that Clark talks from a position of success: he made himself with the use of steroids. How many sad tales of embezzlers in jail stops future embezzlers from stealing money? Few. The lure of success and fortune appears to be too strong. To the San Jose Mercury-News: Dan Clark can tell you all the things that steroids did for him. They helped...

Jim Rice issues a shallow opinion: Steroids are dumb

Jim Rice readies himself for the Cooperstown Hall of Fame by talking some baseball. The ex-Boston Red Sox slugger who smashed 382 home runs reveals an astonishing lack of thought when he called the use of anabolic steroids 'dumb'. Jim Rice, if there were not revelations of steroid era juicing your rather paltry (compared to juicers) career sum of 382 dingers might get you a free beer at the Dew Drop Inn; 382 home runs is about a 5-6 year total for 'roiders. Jim, your best year was 49 homers at age 25; in your best late career year was...

Chicago Sun Times writer Rick Telander points out Ryan Theriot epitimizes MLB steroid problems (but is NOT under steroid suspicion)

The Chicago Cub's shortstop Ryan Theroit hit one home run last year. Sure the winds were always blowing in against him, and the mound was elevated only when he batted, but one home run is not impressive. The slugger has banged out 5 this May alone. What is this...Brady Anderson revisited? The Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander points out that the Theriot power outburst now comes under suspicion in 2009 MLB times. In time past, fans might conclude Theriot spent more time working out over the winter, or matured as a hitter this year. No more: the juice is in....

Justin Gatlin speaks about track and about steroids..a walk through someone's reality

Let's Run anchors a section on Justin Gatlin talking about track and roids. Gatlin's recent interview, found here, meanders around a number of subjects, none of which include responsibility for Gatlin's positive testosterone test. What was your immediate reaction when you found out the "A" sample was positive? Shock. You’ve heard of somebody saying they were so in shock they fell out of their chair? That’s what really happened. I was in my house in my office, I was on the computer. I got the call and I remember breaking down and crying right there. How long were you upset?...

Roger Clemens: Over and out...legal and literary

Roger Clemens makes the news again. Apparently he cannot stand Manny and A-Rod stealing the headlines. Roger: Out (US AG) The United State Attorney General Eric Holder, all busy with torture and such, is calling himself recused from the Roger Clemens investigation going on in DC with the FBI. Apparently the Rocket showed Mr. Holder how to throw a backdoor slider. From Reuters: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has removed himself from the criminal probe into whether baseball pitching great Roger Clemens lied to Congress about steroids, a Justice Department spokesman said on Thursday. The FBI began the investigation more...

Tennis pro Richard Gasquet suspended for cocaine

From the Telegraph, comes the story that French tennis pro Richard Gasquet is suspended after he tested positive for cocaine. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) have suspended Richard Gasquet after he tested positive test for cocaine. The sport's world governing body said an anti-doping tribunal should be assembled within 60 days to hear the case. Gasquet, the world No 23, has admitted to returning a positive sample at the Miami Masters in March. A spokesman for the sport's world governing body said: "Richard Gasquet is under investigation for a doping-related offence and in line with WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency] rules...

Lou Merloni: Did a physician inform MLB players how to use steroids?

MLB.com carries a story about Red Sox minor league player Merloni's recollection of a seminar on spring training while he was with Boston. Former Red Sox utility man Lou Merloni said Saturday on Comcast's "The Baseball Show" that he remembered a Spring Training meeting in which a doctor explained to players how to use steroids intelligently and without abuse, according to multiple reports. Merloni's exact quotes, according to The Boston Globe, were: "I'm in Spring Training, and I got an 8:30-9:00 meeting in the morning. I walk into that office, and this happened while I was with the Boston Red...

Manny Ramirez HCG admission a smokescreen: Tested positive for testosterone

Suspended Manny Ramirez will be serving a 50 game outage for HCG right? Perhaps wrong. According to the astute TJ Quinn of ESPN, Manny tested positive for testosterone -- exogenous testosterone. The entered into the equation only later in the chain of events. Smokescreen? Obviously using HCG would appear to be less of a sin than a horrible anabolic steroid. (in our view a drug is a drug; there is no hierarchy of bad drugs or good drugs). Admitting to HCG would sanitize other PED use, making the situation much more palatable to the regular fan - or the Hall...

Angry Cleveland fans demand HCG, HGH, steroids, and anti-depressants

Andy Borowitz at the Huffington Post, says angry Cleveland fans demand their players take steroids. The national pastime suffered another black eye last night when a mob of irate Cleveland Indians fans poured onto the diamond at Progressive Field to demand that their team take steroids. Displeasure with the championship-starved squad reached a boiling point with the news that slugger Manny Ramirez took performance-enhancing drugs -- but only after leaving the Indians. When asked by ESPN if he ingested the banned medication while playing for Cleveland, Mr. Ramirez shrugged his shoulders and replied, "What would be the point of that?"...

Manny Mania: HCG story pregnant with possibilities

A compendium of stories after the Manny Rodriguez HCG story, which is pregnant with possibilities: 1. Sports Illustrated gives us a time line of MLB steroid use. 2. I'm back, R-Rod injects himself back into baseball. (USA Today) 3. SI, who must have an army of writers chopping at the bit, surveys MLB cities about Manny. 4. How does Curt Schilling work his way into this story? Add you favorites below...

The Dodgers Manny Ramirez: Jacked with HCG, and now suspended from MLB

A zillion media outlets picked up on the Manny Ramirez story today. AfP carries the outlines: American baseball hero Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and has been slapped with a 50-game ban, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday. Ramirez is the first marquee player to be suspended under MLB's stepped-up drug policy which followed the damaging Mitchell Report investigation into steroid use in baseball. The 12-time all-star Ramirez, who turns 37 later this month, is also the best player in the Los Angeles Dodgers squad who have won 13-straight games at home and have the top record...

What, no Manny Ramirez Post? It doesn't meet Government priorities

As someone asked us once (me) 'Don't you actually have a real job"? And yes there is a real job. At the real job our team (which means me basically) has been writing grants all spring. A much gratifying thing, writing grants: Stay up all night writing; in between all the usual clinical work write all day; document everything you can think of to make it politically correct-- like how we are going to recruit the correct number of native Alaskans for proper demographics in the study -- jump through 5000 bureaucratic hoops only eventually to be told by the...

Austrian cyclist Christian Pfannberger drops out of Giro following positive doping test

Another pro cyclist nailed doping, this one on an unexpected doping test visit. To the Charlotte observerand the AP: Austrian cyclist Christian Pfannberger has pulled out of the Giro d'Italia and been suspended by his team after failing a doping test. A surprise test on March 19 at Pfannberger's home in Austria came back positive. Pfannberger's agent informed the Katusha team of the failed test Wednesday, one day after the rider sent a letter to the Russian team saying he was pulling out of the race for personal reasons. Katusha spokesman Andrea Agostini told The Associated Press that "we thought...

Intrigue revolves around almost-Olympic swimmer Jessica Harding, AdvoCare, and clenbuterol contamination

Remember USA swimmer Jessica Harding? She was set to participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when almost on the plane to China when she was 'sabotaged' by a positive urine test for clenbuterol, which of course is banned. This led to much consternation for #3 swimmer Tara Kirk, who finished 3rd to Harding by a fingernail, however could not be included in the USA swim teams entourage as the doping results came to late to alter the roster. The situation became even more entangled. Harding claimed the clen came from a supplement of the company AdvoCare, and two of the...