Baseball catches its first juicer...

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:53 pm

And it ends up being a scrub:

Devil Rays OF Sanchez suspended for steroid use

April 3, 2005
NEW YORK (Ticker) - With a new steroids testing policy in place, it appears Major League Baseball has an improbable first culprit.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Alex Sanchez has been suspended for 10 days for what the commissioner's office is calling "violation of Major League Baseball's joint drug prevention and treatment program."

However, it has been reported that the violation was steroids. The 28-year-old Sanchez has denied ever using steroids and plans to appeal the suspension.

"As per the Basic Agreement, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will have no comment on this matter," Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said.

Sanchez is not what many people would associate with a steroid user. He has just four home runs in 1,351 career at bats.

The test result adds to what has been a tumultuous month for the Cuban defector. On March 10, he was reunited with his mother for the first time in 11 years and then released by the Detroit Tigers five days later.

He signed a one-year contract with the Devil Rays on March 19.

To replace Sanchez on the roster, Tampa Bay recalled outfielder Joey Gathright from Class AAA Durham of the International League.

Funkywhiteboy · Post by **Funkywhiteboy** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:51 pm

Isn't that the same Sanchez who was busted for getting a haircut in the Mets' clubhouse
during a game?

Perhaps his defense is that the hairstylist used an unknown substance!

Tiny · Post by **Tiny** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:40 pm

Gee, is this the expected sacrificial lamb offered up by Major League Baseball; to show us how effective their new drug policy is?

Alex who?

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:50 pm

I'm soooo glad the Tigers cut him loose earlier this spring. They'll have the belt-stealer (Craig Monroe) in centerfield on opening day instead of that 'roider.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:45 am

Moved to the MLB forum in 5-4-3....

Cross Traffic, do you have a problem following simple instructions?

Cicero · Post by **Cicero** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:46 am

As if my Devil Rays werent already the laughing stock of the league.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:18 am

Cicero wrote:As if my Devil Rays werent already the laughing stock of the league.

Miller and Morgan have been talking about this during the broadcast...allegedly, Sanchez has been using over the counter supplements and vitamins and never actually used steroids. They brought up a good point that Major League Baseball isn't really mentioning what Sanchez actually did but since the whole contraversy has been over steroids, whether or not he did them, he's lumped into everything since he did test positive for something.

scritti · Post by **scritti** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:02 am

landsakes....

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:19 am

Whatta ya know. A dirty Sanchez. ;)

Cueball · Post by **Cueball** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:26 am

Funkywhiteboy: That was Rey Sanchez
Shoalzie: Andro-like defense won't work
Mister Bushice: Made me laugh

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:42 am

Cueball wrote:Shoalzie: Andro-like defense won't work

I'm not defending him but he's lumped in the "steroid" crowd even if he didn't actually use steroids. (allegedly)

scritti · Post by **scritti** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:48 am

Mister Bushice wrote:Whatta ya know. A dirty Sanchez. ;)

10/10 for that line alone...

Funkywhiteboy · Post by **Funkywhiteboy** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:36 am

Cueball wrote:Funkywhiteboy: That was Rey Sanchez

OK, then Rey should still be tested.
Only his hairdresser knows for sure! :P

orcinus · Post by **orcinus** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:05 pm

Sanchez is trying to float the "look at my game ... I never hit any home runs. Why would I take steroids" weather balloon; however, he may actually open some eyes and change perception that steroids=bodybuilder physiques. When it's all said and done, I think you'll find more pitchers on the juice for recovery/longevity reasons than you will hitters trying to bulk up and hit the ball out.

For all his fantasy prowess, Sanchez got caught on the basepaths far too many times last season. Not hard to follow the trail and assume he was simply trying to get faster, rather than work on his timing and mechanics.

Sad.

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:25 pm

Orc gets it.

I've been scoffed at for suggesting that many top tennis players are 'roiders.

"Naaah, look at their bodies, poptart............they are like runners.........only needing good cardio conditioning and moderate muscles tone."

John McEnroe admitted that he took 'roids back in the late 80s.

Dude sure didn't look like King Kong, did he....?

Nope, but he saw that he might be able to get an edge.

One day the extensive illegal drug usage in tennis (and other sports) will come to light.

Mark it down.

The recent drug focus in baseball is just the very TIP of the much larger sports WORLD iceberg.

It's everywhere.