It seems that the implementation of the HGH testing in the MLB is running smoothly. Although there were some players who were caught surprised on the testing day and complained about the number of blood samples taken from them, the league reported no other major concerns.

The MLB rolled out its first batch of HGH tests last week, testing baseball players during their physicals. The USA Today reported earlier this week that there were some teams that were subjected to HGH tests. These clubs include the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals and the Miami Marlins.

The succeeding tests are expected to proceed as planned. The MLB Players Association executive director Michael Weiner told the Newsday that the sprint training tests will help them adjust the process if necessary based on the feedback of the players. “The spring-training collections are the first opportunity that the membership has to directly experience how these collections will work,” Weiner said. “After we have a chance to take all of that into consideration, we will assess the process and determine if any changes need to be made,” he added.

HGH Testing on Mets Player Went Smoothly

Based on reports, each member on the Mets roster was tested for human growth hormone. The Mets players gave mixed reactions on the process as well as the effect of the test. Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis told the Newsday his arm remained sore as he worked out after the test. Nieuwenhuis is more concerned on the number of blood sample taken by the anti-doping officials.

He’s glad he just gave two vials of blood while other players from other clubs complained that they gave up to 6 vials of blood during their physicals. “The less for me, the better. The more they take, the more uncomfortable it is,” he said.

Nieuwenhuis also shared the same sentiment with other baseball players who don’t like to be tested during the regular season. “I think that would definitely be a concern if they start trying to do the tests right before a game. After the game would be much better.”

Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey echoed Nieuwenhuis’ concern. “As long as they’re not doing it on a game day, it doesn’t bother me,” he said. According to the pitcher, the HGH test on him went smoothly, though he was not prepared for the test.

The HGH Test in MLB

The initial testing for human growth hormone in the major league is already considered a success for the MLB. They are the first major sports league in the country to adopt and implement HGH testing without facing strong resistance from the players union. The HGH testing method requires blood sample which for some professional athletes is an invasive procedure and unreliable.

Any baseball player caught using synthetic human growth hormone will be given the usual 50-game suspension. This is the standard penalty for first time offenders. It is also given to players who failed the regular steroid tests.

The HGH policy is focused on testing players during the spring training or the off-season. However, if the league found reasonable grounds that the player is using HGH, they can conduct the test even if it is on the regular season or during the playoffs.

We all know that doping professional athletes are always one step ahead of the anti-doping police. Most of them can circumvent existing drug testing methods. An example is the use of micro dosing technique which can effectively pass the regular anti-doping drug test of major sports leagues in the country. Victor Conte, who was involved in the BALCO steroid scandal years ago, suggests some solutions to improve the efficiency of the drug testing methods of most sports organizations.

More Effective Method in Detecting Testosterone

According to Conte, the MLB and other leagues can avoid controversial cases if they will adopt a more effective testing methods or techniques. He cited the case of Ryan Braun who contested that he did not used the steroid testosterone. But sources say the baseball player returned a very high level of synthetic testosterone in his sample. Other professional players who were caught using testosterone but denied that they were doping were professional cyclist Floyd Landis and track athlete Marion Jones. Although both of them later admitted that they did took the banned substance.

The T/E ratio or testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio is the current testing method used for testosterone in MLB and most sports leagues. The normal T/E ratio in the body is one is to one. The T/E ratio or the level of testosterone that is still considered normal is 4:1. But for Conte, a lot of professional players can get away with this. They can use testosterone micro-dosing or apply fast acting testosterone creams. With this technique, the player can still meet the 4:1 ratio.

CIR used in MLB but for Confirmatory Test Only

The MLB uses two testing methods for the steroid testosterone. Anti-doping officials uses the T/E ratio in determining whether the A sample contains an elevated level of testosterone. If the sample shows significant amount of the banned steroid, then they conduct confirmatory test using the CIR (Carbon Isotope Ratio). According to Conte the CIR is the best testing method for synthetic testosterone.

Cost of CIR Hinders Major Sports Leagues

Though the CIR (Carbon Isotope Ratio) test is more effective in detecting synthetic testosterone, major sports leagues are still hesitant to use this as the primary testing method. The cost is the main reason why some sports organizations shun the use of CIR testing. It is estimated that a CIR test would cost the league around $400 almost similar to the cost of HGH testing. Regular testing for other types of anabolic steroids cost less.

But for Conte, the use of a more expensive method but more efficient in detecting doping athletes can be a good deterrent. Conte who is now managing a health and nutrition company, believes that testosterone is still more powerful than human growth hormone. Athletes will only gain the full benefits of HGH if it is combined with testosterone or other anabolic steroids.

Conte concluded in his NY Daily News column that CIR testing will reduce the incidence of micro-dosing and the use of fast acting testosterone creams or gels. Since athletes know that it is a more effective method, they will think twice before taking this performance enhancing substance. This will also help avoid controversies in the major league where players contest the test results.

This is the first time the Major League lost a steroid case in an appeal made by one of their players. The result is a major setback for the league especially in combating the use of performance enhancing drugs in baseball. The anti-doping policy of the baseball league states that the player must be held responsible for any substance that they use. Positive test as a result of taking supplements, whether it is tainted or not, will automatically result to 50 games suspension.

Last year’s NL MVP Ryan Braun tested positive for a steroid banned by the league sometime in October last year. He had an elevated level of testosterone. However, Braun and his camp contested the result. Braun insisted that he never used steroids.

The appeal process was then handled by a neutral panel according to the MLB. It was composed of representatives from the league and the players union. Shyam Das, the head of the panel, requested at least a month before they can promulgate a decision.

MLB Surprised by the Decision of the Panel

The MLB was surprised that Syam Das favored Ryan Braun in the case. Das, who handled similar cases in the past, usually upheld the decisions of the league. That is to suspend players who were caught using banned substances. Based on reports, the members of the panel were divided whether the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder should be suspended or not. Das broke the tie and decided to overturn the previous decision of the league. The 50-game steroid suspension will not be served anymore this spring training.

According to the MLB, they will be planning to file an appeal in court. “While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das,” they said in a statement. Other sports writers see this scenario as embarrassing for the league. This would show that the MLB anti-doping policy has its weaknesses.

Technicality Main Issue in Braun’s Steroid Case

Braun did not focused on convincing the panel that he is not doping but rather questioned the collection process. Braun’s camp sees an opportunity to question the validity of the test because of the delay in sending the sample to an accredited laboratory. The urine sample was brought home by the authorized collector of the MLB because FedEx was closed in the weekend. He was able to send it after two days.

Though there were no signs that the sample was tampered, sources said that Das questioned the security of the sample while it was in the possession of the collector. However, it was learned that similar incidents already happened before. So there are people who are now having some doubts on the impartiality of Das.

Braun Failed to Redeem Himself

After the decision came out, Braun issued a statement proclaiming his innocence. He considered the decision as the first step in restoring his good name and reputation. “We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side,” he said.

But there is still no conclusion on his alleged steroid use. He won the case by technicality but it does not answer the question if he really used a performance enhancing substance. He failed to explain why there was a high level of synthetic testosterone in his sample.

The MVP was able to get away with the 50-game suspension but the steroid issue will still haunt him.

Although the Major League Baseball may have a weak policy for HGH testing, they were able to prove that they are proactive when it comes to eradicating the use of PED’s in professional baseball. Many people criticized the league for adopting the new anti-doping policy because it contains many loopholes. However, MLB can still boast about the new policy because they are the first professional sports league to implement human growth hormone testing in the country.

The NFL is still fighting with the players union on how they can implement a previously agreed HGH testing for players. On the other hand, the NBA has yet to implement the test.

The MLB and the player’s union agreed in their recent CBA to include growth hormone testing but the tests will be conducted during spring training and off-season. There will be no testing for HGH during in-season which many critics believes a big mistake for the league. It is the time where the players take advantage of the benefits of HGH. Another reason why some are not satisfied with the new anti-doping policy is the method used in detecting HGH. The league should follow the Olympic style testing for a more effective detection of synthetic human growth hormone.

The Initial HGH Test

Most players tested for HGH complained about the volume of blood samples taken from them. They were not against the testing but their experience during the process may spur resistance when the HGh policy will be implement in full next year. The league will conduct regular and random HGH testing on 2013 and tests during in-season will be conducted.

The initial HGH testing on players will serve as the basis for future amendments on the HGH policy. The executive director of the players’ association, Michael Weiner, said that they agreed on the spring training and off-season testing because they wanted to see what the players would feel. They would also assess the process of collecting blood samples from players.

Baseball Players giving at least 6 Vials of Blood

Players said that MLB officials took at least 6 to 8 vials of blood during their physicals. These may be too much for some players. The HGH test only requires one vial of blood sample so the other samples might be for other lab test as required in their regular physical exam.

Bob Nightengale of the USA Today interviewed some of the players who underwent HGH testing. Catcher Miguel Olivo of the Seattle Mariners expressed his concerns if the policy will be implemented during the season. “Hell no, they can’t do that during the season. It’s just not right,” he told Nightengale. “They took so much blood from me, I almost passed out. Even when I went to eat at night, I threw up,” Olivio added.

Trevor Bell of the Angels also shared his experience. “There’s got to be a better way. I felt so lightheaded. I had to lie down. I didn’t feel right for 12 hours,” he said. Other players prefer that the test should be administered after the games if it will be implemented during in-season. But an anti-doping scientist argued that taking blood sample for HGH testing will not make professional athletes weak.

It’s good that a lot of players support the implementation of human growth hormone test in MLB. For them, it will create a level playing field.

The movie “Moneyball” inspired Jose Canseco not to give up his dream of playing again in the majors. After his unpopular steroid book Juiced in 2005, the major league considered him an outcast. The slugger detailed in that book his use of anabolic steroids as well as named other baseball players who are also into PED’s like Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, and Jason Giambi. After years of struggling, Canseco does not lose hope that he can still return to the major league.

Wanted to be in the Oakland A’s

Just recently, the baseball slugger tweeted his desire to be back at Oakland A’s. He’s hoping that A’s general manager Billy Beane will give him a chance to be their designated hitter. Canseco played for the Oakland A’s and even got the 1988 American League MVP while playing for the team. “You know what my dream would be? I would love to come out to the Oakland Coliseum again and take batting practice,” he tweeted. Beane has no response yet on Canseco’s statements.

Canseco last played for the Chicago White Sox. He had 17 years of professional baseball experience and worked for seven teams in the MLB. The slugger’s 462 home runs ended when he divulged the rampant use of anabolic steroids in the league which according to him could be around 85% of the MLB players were using banned performance enhancing substances.

Try Out at Quintana Roo Tigers

Canseco had a short stint in the North American Independent League last year. His role as a player and manager of the Yuma Scorpions showed that Canseco can still hit home runs. And he wanted to prove it again by trying his luck in the Mexican League. The slugger will be leaving the country to try out for the Mexican League champion Quintana Roo Tigers which is based in Cancun. “Back in baseball I knew I would play this year you just gotta believe in your dreams,” Canseco tweeted. “Leave on redeye tonite to start spring training with AAA Quintana Roo Tigers tomorrow. Team won league championship last year,” he added.

Quintana Roo Tigers is part of the MLB minor league system though not affiliated with any major league club. This baseball team won several championships already and the latest is the 2011 Championship. Tigers president Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez clarified that there’s no contract yet for Canseco.

Life after the Majors

Canseco had a very difficult life after his post MLB career. He tried other sports but failed to gain the same popularity he had while still in the major league. Canseco participated in many celebrity boxing matches. He also tried his luck in MMA but he just suffer loses. He also participated in the TV reality show “Celebrity Apprentice.”

The baseball slugger also claims that he trains a group of minor leaguers at the On Deck Baseball Academy in Las Vegas. Canseco believes that he is still in shape. He maintains his weight, can swing just like the olden days, and use the same size bat. And proudly says that he’s off steroids.

Aside from Jose Canseco, former Met clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski helped federal investigators unearthed the rampant use of anabolic steroids in the Major League Baseball. Radomski was one of the sources of major league players of performance enhancing drugs but his role in the steroid investigation cost him his job. He even pleaded guilty to distribution of anabolic steroids. But what happened to his life after the steroid era?

Radomski Running a Supplement Business

A recent interview by Michael O’keeffe of the NY Daily News revealed that Radomski is busy with his new business. He is now selling his own dietary supplements. But he clarified that his products are legal and doesn’t contain any controlled substances like anabolic steroids.

Radomski trained athletes and even gave them steroids and other performance enhancing supplements for optimum performance in their chosen sports. However, it ended when he was investigated by the feds. After the steroid scandal he returned to a normal life by establishing a car wash business in Long Island but he told the Daily News that he was not happy with what he was doing at that time. It is in the fitness industry where he feels he could achieve fulfillment.

With the help of his partner and friend Steve Cohen, Radomski is now running a supplement company called EPSG Labs. The company name stands for energy, performance, strength, and growth. It also refers to the primary aim of the company which is to help people become healthier by taking supplements. “I want to see people get bigger muscles. I want to see them live healthier lives,” Radomski said.

Testosterone Booster and Fat Burner

Radomski told O’keeffe that he was responsible for the formulation of their supplements especially the “High Heat” and “Mass Arrival X-treme.” The formulation of these supplements was based on his experience and the need of people to lose weight and for bigger muscles. Mass Arrival X-treme is a testosterone booster while the High Heat supplement is a fat burner.

The testosterone booster, though, is not for everyone. One of its main ingredients is the steroid hormone DHEA. This substance is banned by most major league organization except MLB. The NFL, NBA, NCAA, and the World Anti-doping Agency prohibit its use because it can result to a positive test. It is also considered as a performance enhancing substance. Radomski said that this product is for older men who wanted to boost their energy and combat the signs of aging. But definitely this is not for people who are into competitive sports.

Clean Quality Supplement

The steroid whistleblower knows that everybody will be watching him especially that he is into supplements business. “I have to do everything right. With my background, everyone will be looking at me,” he said.

His aim now is to provide quality products with great results. DHEA is a popular ingredient in supplements today and it’s also expensive according to Radomski. “But we want to use the right ingredients. I want to give people a quality product,” he added.