Frank Thomas Retires

[Guest]

I think Bagwell should be...is he eligible yet?

 

He'll be on the ballot following the 2010 season, if I have my math right.

 

...Jeff Bagwell had 202 career steals?

yep. with two 30/30 seasons.

[Sammy Sofa]

Again, I'm not saying he used anything, but all I'm saying is that in this age of cynicism nobody would be totally shocked if his (or anybody's name) is linked in the future. It reminds me of the 60's when all of the government lies about Viet Nam came out and we had years of not believing anything the government said.

 

I don't think that analogy works at all. Thomas truly is a singular case from that era given his insistence on being tested. What other player was out there demanding such a thing, especially year after year for over a decade? I think it truly would be shocking for a player that open about putting himself and his reputation out there for so many years. This isn't like guys pleading the 5th or saying "no comment." It's not like Palmero. This is someone who was putting it all out there for anyone who wanted to see. It would be one thing if he had just repeatedly stated that he didn't use PEDs and that was it, but he went well beyond that. No other player put themselves in that position.

[Guest]

Again, I'm not saying he used anything, but all I'm saying is that in this age of cynicism nobody would be totally shocked if his (or anybody's name) is linked in the future. It reminds me of the 60's when all of the government lies about Viet Nam came out and we had years of not believing anything the government said.

 

I don't think that analogy works at all. Thomas truly is a singular case from that era given his insistence on being tested. What other player was out there demanding such a thing, especially year after year for over a decade? I think it truly would be shocking for a player that open about putting himself and his reputation out there for so many years. This isn't like guys pleading the 5th or saying "no comment." It's not like Palmero. This is someone who was putting it all out there for anyone who wanted to see. It would be one thing if he had just repeatedly stated that he didn't use PEDs and that was it, but he went well beyond that. No other player put themselves in that position.

The key to me is that he started insisting upon it well before steroids were a major issue.

[Sammy Sofa]

Again, I'm not saying he used anything, but all I'm saying is that in this age of cynicism nobody would be totally shocked if his (or anybody's name) is linked in the future. It reminds me of the 60's when all of the government lies about Viet Nam came out and we had years of not believing anything the government said.

 

I don't think that analogy works at all. Thomas truly is a singular case from that era given his insistence on being tested. What other player was out there demanding such a thing, especially year after year for over a decade? I think it truly would be shocking for a player that open about putting himself and his reputation out there for so many years. This isn't like guys pleading the 5th or saying "no comment." It's not like Palmero. This is someone who was putting it all out there for anyone who wanted to see. It would be one thing if he had just repeatedly stated that he didn't use PEDs and that was it, but he went well beyond that. No other player put themselves in that position.

The key to me is that he started insisting upon it well before steroids were a major issue.

 

Exactly. It wasn't matter of desperation and general douchebaggery like with Canseco. It wasn't like he had his back up against the wall like the guys called before Congress or when the media finally started grilling players. He was talking about this well before it was really on anyone's radar. I think it goes to show just how pervasive it was if he was determined to make sure people knew that he wasn't a part of it. If it was just a relative few using I doubt he'd have done and said what he did, nor would we be where we are today.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Sammy Sofa

[Backtobanks]

Okay, I believe Thomas was clean, but I still wouldn't be shocked if his name ever comes out.

[imb]

what's the point then

[Soul]

The point is that it is pointless to trust anything an athlete says when it comes to PEDs. Regardless of when or what he said.