Under the league’s anti-doping policy, players are tested during the spring training and the regular season. These are conducted at random and unannounced. The league through its Health Policy Advisory Committee can administer additional testing if deemed necessary. But usually, baseball players are only tested 2-3 times per season.

It’s true that the league is serious in finding those cheaters in the field. They really wanted to end the stigma of the steroid era where majority of their players are dependent on performance enhancing drugs like anabolic steroids and amphetamines. Through the years, the number of positive tests is dwindling but from time to time there are still a few players who are caught using banned substances. Just recently, left handed pitcher Dustin Richardson was given a 50-game suspension for violating the anti-doping rules of the major league. The league found at least 5 banned substances in his urine sample. Three of these banned substances were anabolic steroids.

Intensive Drug Testing on a Star Player

Most sports leagues now adopt a more comprehensive policy when it comes to drug testing which usually depends on a lot of factors. A player may be required to undergo a more frequent drug testing if he is suspected of using PED’s or the performance dramatically increase in a short period of time. This could be the reason why Blue Jays Jose Bautista is tested more than the usual number of test for a player.

Bautista recently claimed that he was on the radar of the anti-doping officials of the league. He’s been tested at least 16 times during the past two seasons. He told the people in a gathering in the Dominican Republic that the tests seem not random anymore. The number of tests could be a sign that he is being targeted by the league for possible steroids use.

Hitting More Home Runs

The Blue Jays player compared this with his tests in the previous seasons where the league only tested him thrice. But his performance during that time is not something to be questioned with 28 home runs. Bautista’s inclusion in the 50 home run club and a 2 time home run champion in the league will definitely put him on the spotlight. In just two seasons, he got 107 home runs. Bautista already showed his dismay in previous interviews especially that he is being suspected of using performance enhancing drug.

But Bautista assured his fans that he is not doping. With those 16 drug tests, he was able to pass them without any positive test for steroids or any other performance enhancing drug. The Toronto Blue Jays slugger is confident that this steroid issue will wane.

For some skeptics, the tests are not enough to prove that Bautista is really a clean athlete. The current tests only look for anabolic steroids but not for human growth hormone which is also becoming a popular choice of some professional athletes. As long as the league fails to implement new and more stringent anti-doping policies, players like Bautista will always face suspicion even if the player is hitting it the right way.

The league will be implementing HGH testing in the new season. Let us wait if they can catch HGH users.

In the history of Major League Baseball, they haven’t caught a player who used a concoction of anabolic steroids and other drugs. The implementation of rigid steroid testing by the league also lessened the incidence of steroid use both in the minor and major league. A 50-game suspension is not the type of punishment any player wants. The league is imposing this tough punishment for steroid users to discourage them from using performance enhancing drugs.

But a report from the New York Times will put a major league player on baseball’s history. According to the NY Times, the league confirmed that a baseball player was given 50-game suspension for failing the anti-doping test of the league. However, this is not an ordinary failed test. The league said that they found 5 banned substances in the player’s system. Its five different substances!

Of course, you become interested on the identity of this player. If you are asking if he is one of the star players in baseball, he is not. Some baseball fans may not be even familiar with this left handed pitcher because of his short stint in the majors and last year he played in the minors. He is Dustin Richardson.

Richardson played for the Red Sox and Florida Marlins. But he only played for more or less 30 games in the majors. Last year, he was acquired by the Marlins and Atlanta Braves in the minors. The pitcher is now a free agent after the Braves released him this month.

5 Banned Substances, Including 3 Anabolic Steroids

According to the NY Times report, Richardson’s drug test result showed 3 different types of anabolic steroids, prescription drug letrozole and amphetamines. The anabolic steroids were methenelone, methandienone and trenbolone. Letrozole is a drug that counters the side effects of steroids while the source of amphetamines is not yet clear. It could be from a famous ADHD drug which is also a popular PED in baseball.

The league can allow players to take prescription medication provided they apply for therapeutic exemption. It was learned that Richardson did not apply any.

Anti-Doping Experts Stunned by the Result

Former chairman of WADA’s prohibited list and methods committee, Dr Gary Wadler, said that it was unusual that these steroids were found in a single test. Though he admits that most users stack steroids to get better results and use it in combination to maximize the benefits and minimize the side effects. “There are protocols from supposed gurus you can find by searching on the Internet. But there’s no real science behind any of it,” said Wadler. Sources from the league also said that the case of Richardson is unusual.

Don Catlin, an anti-doping scientist, was also stunned by this report. “I’ve never seen a case like this, and we’re talking about 30 years I’ve been doing this kind of work,” Catlin told Andrew Keh of the NY Times. He added that there were some cases of athletes who used up to 3 banned substances but Richardson’s case is new. Ingesting 3 different subclasses of drugs is not normal. With this kind of doping, the athlete is at greater risk because each type of steroid has its own side effects and it can increase the chance of adverse reaction of the drugs.

Richardson Hoping for another Chance

Since the left handed pitcher is a free agent now, it will be hard for him to find a new team especially that he will be sidelined for the first 50 games. Richardson avoided the media but her mother told the newspaper that his son already admitted his mistakes and is hoping that he will be able to comeback in the field. The steroid test was conducted last November and Dustin was informed of the test result two weeks ago.

The former Phillies pitcher and now with the Cardinals, JC Romero, recently told the New York Daily News that his lawsuit against manufacturers and distributors of the tainted supplement he ingested is now a closed case. The left handed pitcher filed a suit against four companies in 2009. Proviant Technologies, Ergopharm, GNC and Vitamin Shoppe were the respondents in the case. After almost three years, the case ended into a settlement.

Tainted Supplement OXO and OXO-Extreme

In the 2008 World Series, JC Romero was caught using a banned substance. The steroid androstenedione was found in his system but the pitcher denied that he was doping. He argued at that time that it could be due to an over-the-counter supplement that caused the positive test. He was taking the 6-OXO and 6-OXO Extreme bought from 2 of the most popular supplement stores in the country. After a laboratory test, it turned out that the said supplement contains androstenedione. Romero argued that the companies misrepresented their product because the substance was not listed on the label.

However, JC Romero endured the 50-game suspension handed down by the league for doping offenders. As a result of his suspension, he lost more than 1 million of his contract with the Phillies. But the most difficult part for him is on how to convince people that he was not a cheat. “It’s tough to understand you being accused of wrongdoing when you know in your heart you didn’t do anything,” Romero said after his steroid suspension ended.

According to Romero, justice has been served and it gives closure to the fans in Philadelphia. Romero’s lawyer also confirmed the settlement but did not disclose more information about the case. It is not clear whether the original respondents in the lawsuit are still involved in the settlement or the amount of financial remuneration involved.

Supplement Maker and Distributor Mum on the Details of Settlement

Proviant Technologies and Ergopharm were previously owned by Patrick Arnold. However, he told the Daily News that Proviant was already closed and Ergopharm was already operated by a Canadian owner and the company is now known as Ergogenix. Arnold denied that he made an agreement with Romero’s lawyers while Ergogenix owner claimed that he was not part of the lawsuit.

Arnold became popular when he was involved in the BALCO scandal. He was responsible for the designer steroids being sold to professional athletes including Marion Jones and Barry Bonds. BALCO was dismantled after federal authorities charged and jailed its owner Victor Conte. Arnold also received a jail term for his role in the company.

The GNC also declined to give comment on the settlement.

Romero Vindicated

A failed steroid test and a 50-game suspension will always mean a baseball player cheated. But for Romero, the settlement is a vindication for him. From the start, he already made a firm stand on the issue that he’s not a dope. The pitcher also insisted that his performance in the 2008 World Series is legitimate. Nevertheless, he had to accept the punishment. “Some other people were being negligent and I had to pay the price. But I’ve been using this to educate other players. I haven’t been able to be the same since I was suspended. I didn’t believe the suspension could affect me the way it did,” Romero told the Daily News.

Romero is happy now that there is a closure on this issue. The amount of money is not relevant and what is more important is people know his side. The pitcher will now focus on his job and hoping that he can again dominate the field in the next 5 years. And of course, without the use of steroids or any performance enhancing drug.

Before the official tally of the votes for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2012, there is already one player that will definitely get the 75% minimum votes from the BBWAA members. Many former players, teammates and even contenders already predicted that Barry Larkin will enter into the Hall this year. But the result is overwhelming. Larkin is the only candidate this year to enter the Hall and he got the majority of the votes with 86.4%.

Lone Player to be Inducted in the HOF

Larkin told the USA Today that he is very happy with the results. “I’m at a loss of words for this time. I’m incredibly, incredibly moved by this experience, so humbled by being newest member of the Hall of Fame,” he said. He was surprised with the majority votes. “I don’t know how things changed, but I am so pleased and happy with everything. I am so thankful for everyone who voted for me and supported me,” Larkin added.

As a 19-year veteran of the Cincinnati Reds, Larkin has an impressive stats to boast of. He was the 1995 National League MVP, 3-time Gold globe winner, and a 12-time All-Star player. He was one of the best shortstops in the history of major league. He has .295 batting average, 2,340 hits, 198 homers and 379 stolen bases.

Another reason why Larkin got the big lead is his clean career. He was never involved in any controversy particularly in the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. But still the Reds shortstop displayed great speed, power and intelligence in his 19 year career. Former team mates call him a great all-around player.

Steroids Players are Still Out of the Hall

The ballot this year was composed of 27 players including Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. Two of the baseball players who were involved in steroid use. As expected, voters still put too much weight on the character and integrity of the candidates. McGwire got 19.5% and Palmeiro received 12.6% of the total votes. These percentages are way below the 75% cut off to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.

McGwire continued to slide in the rankings and Palmeiro’s ranking in his second year in the ballot is still not impressive. Though they are still included in the next year’s ballot, new contenders will also vie for the Hall of Fame title.

It will be interesting to note that these new contenders are also linked or admitted to the use of anabolic steroids. Barry Bonds just recently convicted of obstructing Congressional inquiry and Roger Clemens also fought his steroid case in court. Both players possess great stats on their back but the steroid issues will surely affect their chances in the Hall. Another steroid-linked baseball player that will be eligible next year is Sammy Sosa. Now that there are several eligible players involved in steroids, let’s see what will be the decision of the voters next year.

Meanwhile, Barry Larkin will be inducted on July 22 at Cooperstown in New York. The late Ron Santo was also awarded by the Veterans Committee for his great achievements in baseball and will be honored on the same day.

The ranking of the Players in the 2012 HOF Ballots

Barry Larkin- 495 (86.4%)
Jack Morris- 382 (66.7%)
Jeff Bagwell- 321 (56.0%)
Lee Smith- 290 (50.6%)
Tim Raines- 279 (48.7%)
Edgar Martinez- 209 (36.5%)
Alan Trammell- 211 (36.8%)
Fred McGriff- 137 (23.9%)
Larry Walker- 131 (22.9%)
Mark McGwire- 112 (19.5%)
Don Mattingly- 102 (17.8%)
Dale Murphy- 83 (14.5%)
Rafael Palmeiro- 72 (12.6%)
Bernie Williams- 55 (9.6%)
Juan Gonzalez- 23 (4.0%)
Vinny Castilla- 6 (1.0%)
Tim Salmon- 5 (0.9%)
Bill Mueller- 4 (0.7%)
Brad Radke- 2 (0.3%)
Javy Lopez- 1 (0.2%)
Eric Young- 1 (0.2%)

Zero Votes:

Jeromy Burnitz
Brian Jordan
Terry Mulholland
Phil Nevin
Ruben Sierra
Tony Womack

Another round in the court is about to proceed to toss out Barry Bonds’ conviction in his obstruction of justice verdict. An appeal was officially submitted in a US Court of Appeals after Bonds was sentenced to spend 30 days in home confinement with location monitoring. He was also obliged by the court to pay $4,000 fine plus 250 hours of community service.

Although he was given a lighter sentence for giving an evasive response before a federal grand jury, Bonds camp would like the verdict of the judge be overturned.

Bonds’ Lengthy Legal Battle on his Steroid Case

The home-run record holder was found guilty in April for his vague and senseless answer to the federal grand jury. He was then asked if his trainer Greg Anderson ever gave him anything that required a syringed for injection. Instead for an ethical reply of yes or no, Bonds narrated a 146-word response. He replied with a tale of him being a celebrity child and someone who didn’t get into other people’s business. At the end of his lengthy answer, he said it’s a “no”. He later faced several counts of perjury and obstruction of justice for his nonsensical answer, pervasive efforts to mislead the grand jury and refusal to answer questions under oath.

Barry Bonds was included in an investigation of steroid use in sports but the prosecution failed to prove that he took anabolic steroids. Bonds was also acquitted in participating in any wrongdoing as far as steroids and human growth hormone is concerned. He was one of the elite athletes included in the probe of the California-based Bay Area Cooperative or BALCO which supplied designer steroids to professional athletes.

Sympathy for Barry Bonds

The conviction for Barry Bonds, even it was a light punishment, would be something to consider before he becomes eligible for the ballot in the baseball’s Hall of Fame. Alongside the fact that the American baseball home run king had been the target of the feds for years for an alleged steroid use. Bonds’ batting accomplishments is now being questioned because of his use of performance enhancing drugs.

With all his critics rocketing controversial issues on him and his eligibility for the Hall of Fame, the Black and Brown neighborhoods of New York recently aired their sympathy. The people in the community speculate that there may be a double standard favoring white people who are also in steroids.

An Appeal to the Court

Federal prosecutors will have until April 20 to take action in response to the appeal of Bonds’ attorney to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court Appeal. Another 14 days will be allotted to Bonds’ lawyer to file a reply.

A three-judge panel will be randomly assigned to hear oral arguments this year. Dennis Riordan, Bonds’ appellate attorney states that it could take approximately 18 months before a decision from the court could transpire. US District Judge Susan Illston stated in her decision that Barry Bonds would not serve his sentence until the appeal process has been completed.

The appeal could take two years before a final ruling can be made. The finality in Bonds’ case could be sometime in 2014.

Baseball players who admitted to taking performance enhancing drugs during the steroid era claim that everyone’s doing it. It was a period that also encouraged others to take the road to enhanced performance. Former MLB player John Rocker recently admitted that he also took steroids to keep up with the game. If most of the players are doing it, then other players will also do the same.

However, an interview with another MLB veteran contradicts Rocker’s claim. Kristen Meriwether of the Epoch Times interviewed Doug Glanville, a 9-year baseball veteran, about his experience in the steroid era. Glanville played for several teams during his career. He played for the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. His longest stint was with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Played When Steroid use is Rampant

Glanville admitted that there was a problem of steroid use during his time but denied that all baseball players are doping just to hit more home runs. “It was a dirty little secret kind of feeling. You were looking around and wondering how that guy got so big in the offseason,” Glanville told Meriwether. It was during his time that baseball players began to break records in baseball. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are just some of the baseball greats but their performances in the field were aided by steroids. Investigation into the use of steroids in baseball revealed that most of the players who hit more than 40 home runs in a season took anabolic steroids.

Playing Clean is not Easy

The pressure from the team and fans somehow resulted to the huge number of players who became dependent on performance enhancers. Players must perform at their best in every game if not the team may just let them go. “Your performance is often measured against your peers and people who have the same service time, position, salary, etc. When those players are taking PED, that changes where you fall in that landscape,” said Glanville.

Baseball players always want to get an edge in the field. If they can’t get it through traditional trainings, they will take supplements like coffee and protein shakes to get that extra energy or strength. But for some those were not enough. They resort to anabolic steroids to get bigger muscles, more strength and more stamina to endure the demands of the game. “There was always a swirling culture of trying to get an advantage,” said Glanville.

Though Glanville was frustrated with what was happening during those times, he understood why many players were taking the wrong road. He told the Epoch Times that it was more on the financial considerations especially for the players who came from another country or players who immediately signed after school. These people, he said, are more prone to making the wrong decision. That is, taking steroids to keep up with the game. “They are going to do some crazy and desperate things, including taking steroids if they believe that will keep their career going and hold onto it,” he added.

Free from Steroid Career is Important

Not all players may have the same principles with Doug Glanville. Maintaining a clean record in baseball is still the most important thing for the MLB veteran. “I wanted to be able to wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and say I did everything I could with what I had. That is what happened,” he said.

Doug Glanville wrote the book “The Game from Where I Stand” and has written numerous articles covering baseball. He also discussed in his previous columns his stand on the use of anabolic steroids.