Man-ny Down (and Out)

Posted by Mike Giardi May 7, 2009 at 1:37 pm

First, I like to thank whoever posted that screen grab for me from last night’s Celtics pregame. I look like I’m about to turn into the Incredible Hulk. Of course, the green guy doesn’t have nearly the pipes I do, but that’s cause he’s just not training like he should be. Anyway…no truth to the rumor that I failed NECN’s drug test for performance enhancers. Sadly, Manny Ramirez didn’t use the same due diligence and has been suspended 50 games by MLB for testing positive.

Manny claims its not for steroids; that he saw his doctor for a health issue and whatever the doc gave him was on baseball’s banned substance list. Do I believe him? Sure, until evidence comes out that says otherwise. Now will I be surprised if that evidence does show up? No. Though the game seems to be getting cleaner (just look at the drop-off of power numbers in the last year  and change), these last 15 years or so have been dominated by overinflated hitters, pitchers who dominated into their 40’s (Hey Rocket, was it worth it?), and relievers who suddenly increase their velocity from high 80’s to mid 90’s consistently. At this era’s height, most ignored it (guilty as charged) or weren’t willing to put their suspicions in writing or on-air. We know the powers that be in baseball were content to look the other way. Basically, it was a breakdown from top to bottom, and now a game that loves to measure the numbers has its record books all screwed up. That’s sad, especially for someone who grew up pretending to be Fred Lynn, Dwight Evans, Butch Hobson and Jim Rice in the backyard, someone who was in awe of Roger’s 24-4. But those days are long gone, and so is the purity of this sport.