Dec 13 2011
Former Major League Pitcher Admitted to Steroid Use, Wrote Steroid Book
While Jose Canseco was blacklisted in the major league for writing steroid books and exposing the rampant use of performance enhancing drugs in the league, others are still taking the same path for whatever reasons they may have. In the latest news in baseball, former pitcher John Rocker adds to the increasing number of players who made public confessions on their use of steroids. The pitcher also wrote a memoir.
John Rocker pitched for the Atlanta Braves. The left handed pitcher started his career in 1998 and ended in 2003 with the Tampa Bays. He had in his stats 13-22 with a 3.42 ERA and 88 saves. He made this in 280 games in six seasons. Rocker made headlines in 1999 when he was interviewed by Sports Illustrated about PED’s in the sports.
League Knows the Positive Test
In the recent interview of Mike Silva, the pitcher disclosed that the major league insisted he be tested for steroids after the controversial SI interview in 1999. Rocker admitted that he failed the steroid tests. In that year, the MLB has no established anti-doping program yet. But the pitcher argued the league knows his positive tests. “And you mean to tell me the commissioner’s office who insisted over two weeks over four different occasions that I take a steroid test, they don’t know the result of said test?” he said.
Rocker contends that steroid use in that era is common. “Let’s be honest. Who wasn’t (using)?” he told Silva. But the commissioner’s office was silent about the issue hoping it will protect the reputation of the league. However, a few years later, the real scenario in the major league was opened to the public because of investigations and whistle blowers.
Steroids Helped Him Pitched 4mph
When asked by Silva if steroids really helped him become a better pitcher, Rocker said in the negative. However, he admitted that because of steroids he can throw a 3 or 4 mph ball. Rocker defended his use of steroids citing the expectation of the team and the fans. And his contention that everybody’s taking it. “The reason was (for taking it) with my teammates and their confidence laying on my shoulders, with the coaching staff and their confidence on my shoulders, with the millions of Atlanta Braves fans, I am not going to step on that mound with that kind of responsibility with my gun half loaded,” he said.
Just like with other self-confessed steroid users, the former pitcher of the Atlanta Braves seemed to be remorseful of his steroid use. “I wish 37-year old John Rocker could go back and punch 23-year old John Rocker in his face,” he said.
Steroid Book: Scars and Strikes
Now that his confession is made public, can Rocker expect baseball fans to take a look at his steroid book? The book “Rocker: Scars and Strikes” can be another blow to the major league. However, its content may not be too damaging since many steroid books already covered the rampant use of performance enhancers in that era. We’ll see if this tell-all steroid book is similar to what Canseco wrote.
