Manny tests positive for PEDs, suspended 50 games

[fromthestretch]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this random drug testing in MLB isn't detecting steroid use?

 

Why didn't Manny test positive for steroids? Do steroids exit your body at such a rate that it can be completely undetected in a few days, weeks, months? If that's the case, why bother testing?

 

Which also begs another question. Can Manny spend the next 50 days roiding to his hearts content where he can just pass the next test as long as he doesn't take testicle neutralizers that are detected?

 

I believe he's still subject to testing while suspended.

[wade]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this random drug testing in MLB isn't detecting steroid use?

 

Why didn't Manny test positive for steroids? Do steroids exit your body at such a rate that it can be completely undetected in a few days, weeks, months? If that's the case, why bother testing?

 

Which also begs another question. Can Manny spend the next 50 days roiding to his hearts content where he can just pass the next test as long as he doesn't take testicle neutralizers that are detected?

 

My understanding- it depends on the steroid. Some of the older stuff, maybe Winistrol (sp?)- or Stanozolol (Ben Johnson's drug), takes a while to get out of the system. And, they're pretty toxic, especially in pill form. Newer drugs are supposed to be less toxic and stay in the system shorter amounts of time (or are undetectable with contemporary tests, like the 'clear' that Bonds used).

 

It comes down to the testers- the stuff that Manny got popped for is used when the person cycles off, so the body can start producing its own testosterone again, since the synthetic source is gone and the body was used to relying on it. If the tester is looking for something like that, it tells them a lot more than if they're just checking for certain anabolics, or certain testosterone levels- which users throw off by taking Chlomid and crap like that- the testosterone won't be way out of wack if they balance it with a female fertility drug. Or something like that.

[NonProfitCow]

http://cdn.holytaco.com/www/sites/default/files/images/manny_ramirez_steroids_doodles.jpg

[Laura]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this random drug testing in MLB isn't detecting steroid use?

 

Why didn't Manny test positive for steroids? Do steroids exit your body at such a rate that it can be completely undetected in a few days, weeks, months? If that's the case, why bother testing?

 

Which also begs another question. Can Manny spend the next 50 days roiding to his hearts content where he can just pass the next test as long as he doesn't take testicle neutralizers that are detected?

 

I believe he's still subject to testing while suspended.

 

He wasn't under contract during this past off-season. I'm not sure how many (if any) off-season tests are required for players under contract ... but they can't test you if you aren't under contract, can they?

 

(not saying this would have been a one-time occurrence, but the risk level may have seemed lower than otherwise)

[Soul]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this random drug testing in MLB isn't detecting steroid use?

It has found steroids in some cases, though.

 

The testers know there are ways to mask the use, so they look through those substances and put them on the list too. Makes it harder to cheat the system.

 

And then they tell the players whenever you are going to be putting something in your system, make sure it is checked out or apply for an exception. After that, I'm comfortable nailing someone who either A) is using them to cheat, or B) simply ignores the policies of their employers.

[fromthestretch]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this random drug testing in MLB isn't detecting steroid use?

 

Why didn't Manny test positive for steroids? Do steroids exit your body at such a rate that it can be completely undetected in a few days, weeks, months? If that's the case, why bother testing?

 

Which also begs another question. Can Manny spend the next 50 days roiding to his hearts content where he can just pass the next test as long as he doesn't take testicle neutralizers that are detected?

 

I believe he's still subject to testing while suspended.

 

He wasn't under contract during this past off-season. I'm not sure how many (if any) off-season tests are required for players under contract ... but they can't test you if you aren't under contract, can they?

 

(not saying this would have been a one-time occurrence, but the risk level may have seemed lower than otherwise)

 

That's a good question.

[YearofDaCubs]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this random drug testing in MLB isn't detecting steroid use?

 

Why didn't Manny test positive for steroids? Do steroids exit your body at such a rate that it can be completely undetected in a few days, weeks, months? If that's the case, why bother testing?

 

Which also begs another question. Can Manny spend the next 50 days roiding to his hearts content where he can just pass the next test as long as he doesn't take testicle neutralizers that are detected?

Do they test players during the offseason? I don't see why a player can't do a cycle of roids and be clean before the season starts if he times it right. Of course that might be possible if they don't test during the offseason.

[cubweiser03]

They can't detect certain steriods. For instance if i took Sustanon 250, a very popular and good steroid, i wouldn't test positive for that certain steriod i would simply show levels of high testosterone in my blood. And from what i understand Manny had high levels of testosterone in his blood which seems weird for just Clomid use. Any doctor would do blood work before he prescriped Clomid, if you have normal levels of testosterone it really is worthless and unnesessary. Dude got busted for test even if he was also on Clomid.

[Bote McBoteface]

Not sure if its been mentioned, and I know that it wouldn't excuse it and that we'll never know one way or the other. But, after signing the big contract with the dodgers in spring training, and all that stuff Manny said about having to work extra hard to catch up with his teammates, I guess its possible that Manny was clean up until this season, then took steroids as a way to catch up quickly to his teammates.

 

 

I'm inclined to believe him when he says that he's taken and passed around 15 tests within the past 5 seasons. Otherwise I'm sure somebody would be able to call BS on it, and would.

[champaignchris]

I'm inclined to believe him when he says that he's taken and passed around 15 tests within the past 5 seasons. Otherwise I'm sure somebody would be able to call BS on it, and would.

 

I can say that I've never gotten a speeding ticket in all truth. It doesn't mean that I never exceed the speed limit.

[Proven Veteran]

They can't detect certain steriods. For instance if i took Sustanon 250, a very popular and good steroid, i wouldn't test positive for that certain steriod i would simply show levels of high testosterone in my blood. And from what i understand Manny had high levels of testosterone in his blood which seems weird for just Clomid use. Any doctor would do blood work before he prescriped Clomid, if you have normal levels of testosterone it really is worthless and unnesessary. Dude got busted for test even if he was also on Clomid.

 

He got busted on a non-analytical positive for hCG, after previously failing a test for artificial testosterone. MLB wasn't sure it could get the suspension to stick if they went after whatever he used to boost his testosterone. The suspension is the same for either, so they went with the one he couldn't fight.

[cubweiser03]

They can't detect certain steriods. For instance if i took Sustanon 250, a very popular and good steroid, i wouldn't test positive for that certain steriod i would simply show levels of high testosterone in my blood. And from what i understand Manny had high levels of testosterone in his blood which seems weird for just Clomid use. Any doctor would do blood work before he prescriped Clomid, if you have normal levels of testosterone it really is worthless and unnesessary. Dude got busted for test even if he was also on Clomid.

 

He got busted on a non-analytical positive for hCG, after previously failing a test for artificial testosterone. MLB wasn't sure it could get the suspension to stick if they went after whatever he used to boost his testosterone. The suspension is the same for either, so they went with the one he couldn't fight.

 

Yep, i thought Manny was just using the HCG as a simple excuse for failing the test as i hadnt read anything concrete what he tested for yet.

He tested positive for two distinctly different substances, indicating a sophisticated regimen of steroid use.

I wonder what his test levels were.

 

Anyway. This is his first positive test in what 3 years, 4 years? To be fair this could of been his first time using, i know doubtful but he hasnt been busted before, so he earns something. And to say his WHOLE career is tarnished is just too harsh IMO. Same goes for Bonds, before 99 he won what 3 MVPS. Gotta look at the whole picture.

[DivineBovine]

I'm inclined to believe him when he says that he's taken and passed around 15 tests within the past 5 seasons. Otherwise I'm sure somebody would be able to call BS on it, and would.

 

I can say that I've never gotten a speeding ticket in all truth. It doesn't mean that I never exceed the speed limit.

 

If you want, you can think that this is the only time he's used in 5 seasons. I'm more inclined to believe that he's been using for a while. If he's going to use now, with all the testing and media on a witch hunt for steroid users, then I can only imagine how much he was juicing in the 90's and early 2000's. Manny had everything to lose- his career is tainted forever, he's out $6 million and screwed over his team- and he still did it, damn well knowing that he would be tested. He must've thought he could get away with it, and probably did for a long time.

[wade]

I have a hard time believing that any veteran caught now- when testing is stricter and the story is so big- is just now using. I can't help but think they've been using for years.

[NewUserName]

I have a hard time believing that any veteran caught now- when testing is stricter and the story is so big- is just now using. I can't help but think they've been using for years.

 

 

Agree. I am a little surprised that some Red Sox fans are gloating about this. I would be wondering how legitimate our 2 WS champs were or just saying that this issue needs to be cleaned up for the health of the players. To gloat because a former player got caught while playing for another team is just logically wrong.

[mcgoobs]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this random drug testing in MLB isn't detecting steroid use?

 

Why didn't Manny test positive for steroids? Do steroids exit your body at such a rate that it can be completely undetected in a few days, weeks, months? If that's the case, why bother testing?

 

Which also begs another question. Can Manny spend the next 50 days roiding to his hearts content where he can just pass the next test as long as he doesn't take testicle neutralizers that are detected?

 

The 2005 release of the new drug testing policy indicated that testing will occur during the offseason.

 

Link

[mcgoobs]

(6) Sammy Sosa – Widely suspected, no solid proof

(34) Jeff Bagwell

(39) Mike Piazza

 

These two guys have as much proof against them as Sammy. Piazza especially. There are all sorts of stories of his bachne.

 

You're right, and later in my post, I didn't count Sammy among the 9 out of 21 users.

 

But, if I didn't mention anything next to his name, someone would have said something to the effect of, "Everybody knows..." It's pure conjecture at this point. Unfortunately, I think he's going to be kept out of the HoF based on pure conjecture.

 

I don't know. There's rock-solid proof on Bonds, Arod, Manny, and Clemens, and McGwire all but admitted usage, but Sammy has never been linked to any steroid story, nor was he named in the Mitchell report.

 

Agreed there's nothing as rock solid as the evidence against the players you mention. How do you think about the fact that he pretended not to know English when he testified in front of Congress? Aside from the other evidence which can or can't be explained away this is the most damning evidence against him.

[rocket]

Agreed there's nothing as rock solid as the evidence against the players you mention. How do you think about the fact that he pretended not to know English when he testified in front of Congress? Aside from the other evidence which can or can't be explained away this is the most damning evidence against him.

 

I hate this argument so much. He didn't pretend to not understand english. He simply felt more comfortable speaking through an interpreter at a congressional hearing.

 

It doesn't even make sense to link that to steroid use. The questions and answers are the same regardless if he uses an interpreter or not.

[Andy]

Agreed there's nothing as rock solid as the evidence against the players you mention. How do you think about the fact that he pretended not to know English when he testified in front of Congress? Aside from the other evidence which can or can't be explained away this is the most damning evidence against him.

 

I hate this argument so much. He didn't pretend to not understand english. He simply felt more comfortable speaking through an interpreter at a congressional hearing.

 

It doesn't even make sense to link that to steroid use. The questions and answers are the same regardless if he uses an interpreter or not.

If anything was going to be a strong link, it would be his reaction to Rick Reilly in that infamous 2002 column where Reilly asked him to step up for testing. But since Reilly is a self-righteous jackass and definitely painted that confrontation differently than the way it actually went, I don't buy that either.

[Soul]

I have a hard time believing that any veteran caught now- when testing is stricter and the story is so big- is just now using. I can't help but think they've been using for years.

 

 

Agree. I am a little surprised that some Red Sox fans are gloating about this. I would be wondering how legitimate our 2 WS champs were or just saying that this issue needs to be cleaned up for the health of the players. To gloat because a former player got caught while playing for another team is just logically wrong.

 

Surely they don't believe he just started using since joining the Dodgers.

[RonCey]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this is a really good article from ESPN.com that answers alot of the above questions.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4159870

 

Now that I understand what hcg is used for, there's no doubt he was taking the real stuff too.

[wade]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this is a really good article from ESPN.com that answers alot of the above questions.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4159870

 

Now that I understand what hcg is used for, there's no doubt he was taking the real stuff too.

 

I knew the test ratio was a red flag- I just thought maybe he used the other drug to balance out his hormones and wasn't sure he was using it as a post-cycle drug. Pretty good article- of course it's the guys who broke Balco, so they know what they're talking about.

[Careless]

Manny will be in the minors soon to prepare for his return to the majors. Apparently the rules were designed to allow for this. That's really stupid.

[chasinf5s]

He better come back fast because Juan Pierre is just as good if not better than him according to a unnamed ESPN announcer who isint Steve Phillips and Jon Morgan. He played 2nd base for a certain Cincinnati team

[sweetpeteman]

He better come back fast because Juan Pierre is just as good if not better than him according to a unnamed ESPN announcer who isint Steve Phillips and Jon Morgan. He played 2nd base for a certain Cincinnati team

 

 

So it was Joe Miller?