Deja vu? PED suspensions: new problem?

My guess is that it isn't a new problem as it is a surprise new solution. In the ongoing cat and mouse chase that is the doping vs. anti-doping race, the "good guys" may have perfected a technology that the "bad guys" didn't know they had.

"Remember that cream you didn't think we had a test for? Well, now we do...SURPRISE!"

I am a little bothered by the recent statement by Andrew McKirahan. Why apologize to the Braves, their fans and his teammates? Why not apologize to his opponents and the other guys in the Braves system he beat out for a spot on the major league roster? You know, the actual people he against whom he cheated?

These guys all (I think) had Stanzolol (aka Winstrol) in their bodies. I forget who but somebody said that it's 'as easy to detect as garlic on pizza". So unless they are clueless may (I'm not judging) have been in another supplement they took. 

That's some hardcore bodybuilding juice there. 

I have a friend who races horses....apparently the horses who win are subjected to testing after the race.  She said, on more than one occasion, a horse has been stripped of their title for having a banned substance in their system.

Nothing unusual right?

She told me some of the substances are hidden in average everyday things...for example, wintergreen oil when it gets into the horses body can morph into a banned substance....yet the source was innocuous.  She said there are several brands of shampoo and normal other things that can "test"...and that horse trainers have to be super vigilant about not using certain brands if they are racing in certain events.

While I agree that pill popping for a competitive edge is ridiculously stupid, are any of these guys getting caught up in this storm by using things they didn't know would "test"?  Andrew McKiraham claims to have used a cream...not a pill...is it at all possible some of these positives are on accident?

Getting caught is the accident. The players are given extensive information by MLB on acceptable products to put in/on their bodies. Anything not on the list is not approved and carries risk.

There are far better ways then radomized testing to ensure a clean game. For example, why not test every professional player upon reporting to camp, in addition to radomized testing. That way at least the players competing for roster spots in the spring are all on equal footing.

I don't think the current testing protocols are designed to make the game really clean; rather, I think the protocols are designed to make the fans think it's a completely clean game.

To make the game completely clean would require a clear understanding on the incentives to cheat. To a marginal player, not taking PEDs is a quick ticket out; so there is no real risk to taking PEDs - if you get caught you are exactly where you'd be if you hadn't used PEDs. Understand that and design a testing system appropriately.

"Winstrol ... it's as easy to detect as garlic on pizza." ~soulslam55

That's what I learned in researching it.

Which I recently did because we are fairly close to one of the young men who tested positive for it a couple weeks ago. He was within hours, literally, of learning he'd make the 40-man, according to the experts at BA, ESPN, etc. His life was about to change ... his journey was about to hit that long-dreamed-of milestone. The Show. And he did this.

I cannot tell you what a gut-punch it was for JP, who was so proud of this player. Just as it was heart-wrenching for all of us who know him -- his long-time select coach, his agent, and of course, his family.

The people who've worked so hard, sacrificed so much, and felt so deeply his ups and downs along the way to help him achieve his dream. It's such a shame. 

I'm glad it's not necessarily career-ending ... but it's a stain that will never be completely removed.

JPMom has always told our kids and their friends, "If you're going to be stupid -- be smart about it."

Taking Winstrol is being stupid ... and being stupid about it. 

Stupid is messing up the cycle when you take steroids. 

All players get tested upon arriving to camp.  Then many begin the cycle, figuring they have time before a next random test.  

Sorry, but I think they think we believe they have cleaned up the sport..not.

Many, many players take adderall, legally. I am not sure they all have ADD.