cubfan33
05-19-2002, 11:27 PM
It’s been a relatively quiet weekend in baseball. Sure, Bud said some stupid things. The Twins got a sweet stadium deal from Minnesota that they’re ready to turn down. Sources near Donald Watkins are making noises that Watkins won’t be allowed to even bid on a team unless he signs on to the Bud Selig party line of “poor billionaire me, build me a stadium.” Jose Canseco made some …
Wait. I need a full paragraph to talk about this one. Jose Canseco (retired players don’t get all caps) made what could be the most outlandish statement of his outlandish career on Fox Sports Net this week. Speaking on The Last Word with Jim Rome, Canseco said without qualification that 85% of major league baseball players are using steroids. UTK called his agent for some clarification but none was forthcoming, with all questions being answered with “Mr. Canseco will address these questions in his forthcoming book.” Sure. While I will be the first to say that there IS steroid use in baseball at all levels and while I believe that Tony Gwynn is reasonably accurate in his statement that 20-30% of players have used steroids, Canseco is way off base. Let’s look at the difference in Canseco’s statement and Gwynn’s: Gwynn stated that players “have used” – this would include current users and people that have dabbled or experimented. Much like college kids with pot, athletes often experiment with performance enhancing drugs. The fact that they do this in such a fashion does not excuse the behavior, but let’s accept the fact. Steroids amongst other dangerous yet effective substances are out there and are being used. To amp the use up to a ridiculous level like 85% makes the issue comical rather than serious. To take an issue seriously, we must believe it has some plausibility. Canseco has turned a serious issue into a sideshow for his vendetta against those he feels have done him wrong.
On a more serious, but related issue, there have been recent charges in the press regarding Barry Bonds. A source came to Under The Knife this weekend pointing out certain articles in major media outlets that are accusing Bonds of not only using steroids, but Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1). I need only refer to Lyle Alzado to show the dangers of growth factor abuse. UTK has again reiterated our desire to help Barry Bonds clear up these rumors by submitting to a true independent test, done at a certified lab and monitored by UTK. We await his response.
I hope you enjoyed the feature on Paul Anderson. I know I promised two more pieces, including a groundbreaking piece on creatine abuse. These pieces are both being viewed by major media outlets for possible publication there. I hope to have these available to the public soon.
On to injuryland … is that a section in Disneyworld?
I’ll start with the good news: lots of players will be returning from injuries on Tuesday. BRIAN JORDAN never hit the DL, but he did miss five games with a back strain. DOUG MIENTKIEWICZ will return after a cortisone injection in his injured wrist. CARL EVERETT will return to the Rangers after a successful stint in extended Spring Training. Jamey Newberg of the fabulous Newberg Report (www.newbergreport.com) suggests that Everett’s return – assuming he can handle CF – may set off a chain reaction for the Rangers. While I would want more in return for some of the names he suggests giving up, check it out for yourself.
Better news is that former Oriole and Ranger manager Johnny Oates appears to be tumor free after brain surgery. While he is not in the clear, any time you can beat an aggressive cancer for any period of time is what a friend of mine calls “bless time.” Use it well, Johnny.
Peter Gammons’ column this weekend finally dislodged the news on SEAN BURROUGHS’ shoulder injury. Burroughs has been battling a shoulder impingement that has affected his swing. An impingement is an injury that involves the muscles of the rotator cuff and if left unchecked often needs surgical correction. To picture this injury accurately, imagine a key as the shoulder muscle and the keyhole as the sections of bone that the muscles move through in their motion. If the key were to swell, it wouldn’t fit in the keyhole and friction and nastiness ensues. The Padres are being conservative with this injury, as well they should be. Since it is a chronic condition, it may explain some of Burroughs’ slow start.
The Marlins took a double whammy on Saturday, losing both ace BRAD PENNY and shortstop dead weight ALEX GONZALEZ. Using Lee Sinins’ Sabremetric Baseball Encyclopedia (www.baseball-encyclopedia.com), I find that Alex Gonzalez is the sixth worst shortstop in the period 1998 (his debut) to current. How does Neifi Perez have a job? His loss, assuming any reasonable replacement, may help the Fish. Brad Penny’s loss will not be as easily solved. A dislocated shoulder will keep Gonzalez out at least eight weeks and quite possibly longer. While no official word has been handed down from the Marlins, Penny diagnosed himself with nerve problems and declared he would be back on the DL soon. Suddenly, the Penny for BRANDON PHILLIPS deal doesn’t look so curious anymore.
EDGARDO ALFONZO will miss a few games with a strained hamstring. Alfonzo apparently injured himself early last week, but was hitting so well he was reluctant to come out of the lineup. With JOHN VALENTIN out as well, the Mets are very thin in the infield and can now less afford the anemic bat of REY ORDONEZ. Trade rumors are fast and furious around the Mets. One rumor was that GM Steve Phillips inquired about the availability of ROYCE CLAYTON. If true, Phillips should be fired on principle.
MARK DEROSA injured his ankle while legging out a double and will need surgery. The injury pushes RAFAEL FURCAL to shortstop and MARCUS GILES back to second. The move to short makes Furcal more injury prone, which is worth watching for. DeRosa’s injury was blamed on lack of flexibility. Hmm.
KYLE FARNSWORTH had a CT done on his injured foot late last week that showed the fracture is not healing as expected. Farnsworth will likely miss at least three more weeks plus a rehab stint, so the Cubs bullpen is getting shabbier by the second. A decision on one or more of CHRIS STYNES, DELINO DESHIELDS, and MARK BELLHORN will need to be made by Wednesday when MARK PRIOR is due to debut for the Cubs. (Tickets are still available for Prior’s first game.)
MATT MANTEI made appearances on back-to-back days for El Paso (AA). He reported no “unusual” pain and expects to be activated on May 29. He’s also stated that he expects to be the closer when he returns. Mantei was on the disabled list, not some Survivor island right? Is he that disconnected from reality?
JOSH PEARCE of St Louis is back in the minors but can’t escape the curse that has descended on St. Louis starters. He has a “major” labrum tear in his pitching shoulder. Someone needs to head over to www.netshrine.com and come up with a catchy name for this curse.
FLASH GORDON met with surgeon Lewis Yocum regarding his shoulder. Results of a comparison MRI (one made to compare with previous results) showed good progress. He was cleared to throw from a mound and is on schedule for a June return. He’ll surely need a rehab stint so you’ll have plenty of warning when he’s ready. The Cubs need relief help now, but it is interesting to think that the Cubs could have three legitimate “closer” types on the roster in late June or early July. Since the Cubs are playing themselves out of contention, one or more of those players should be great trade bait.
I have another report from a good source on KEN GRIFFEY. Supposedly, team doctor Tim Kremchek has told associates that Griffey will return on Friday. If anyone on this list has a Reds connection (and I know you do), tell Kremchek to be quiet until Griffey is ready to play.
Tomorrow’s report will be our usual weekly FOXSPORTS.COM report – although Fox did pick up our daily on Friday. Flashes as necessary to keep you up to date. (And go see our updated logo at www.willcarroll.com!)
Wait. I need a full paragraph to talk about this one. Jose Canseco (retired players don’t get all caps) made what could be the most outlandish statement of his outlandish career on Fox Sports Net this week. Speaking on The Last Word with Jim Rome, Canseco said without qualification that 85% of major league baseball players are using steroids. UTK called his agent for some clarification but none was forthcoming, with all questions being answered with “Mr. Canseco will address these questions in his forthcoming book.” Sure. While I will be the first to say that there IS steroid use in baseball at all levels and while I believe that Tony Gwynn is reasonably accurate in his statement that 20-30% of players have used steroids, Canseco is way off base. Let’s look at the difference in Canseco’s statement and Gwynn’s: Gwynn stated that players “have used” – this would include current users and people that have dabbled or experimented. Much like college kids with pot, athletes often experiment with performance enhancing drugs. The fact that they do this in such a fashion does not excuse the behavior, but let’s accept the fact. Steroids amongst other dangerous yet effective substances are out there and are being used. To amp the use up to a ridiculous level like 85% makes the issue comical rather than serious. To take an issue seriously, we must believe it has some plausibility. Canseco has turned a serious issue into a sideshow for his vendetta against those he feels have done him wrong.
On a more serious, but related issue, there have been recent charges in the press regarding Barry Bonds. A source came to Under The Knife this weekend pointing out certain articles in major media outlets that are accusing Bonds of not only using steroids, but Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1). I need only refer to Lyle Alzado to show the dangers of growth factor abuse. UTK has again reiterated our desire to help Barry Bonds clear up these rumors by submitting to a true independent test, done at a certified lab and monitored by UTK. We await his response.
I hope you enjoyed the feature on Paul Anderson. I know I promised two more pieces, including a groundbreaking piece on creatine abuse. These pieces are both being viewed by major media outlets for possible publication there. I hope to have these available to the public soon.
On to injuryland … is that a section in Disneyworld?
I’ll start with the good news: lots of players will be returning from injuries on Tuesday. BRIAN JORDAN never hit the DL, but he did miss five games with a back strain. DOUG MIENTKIEWICZ will return after a cortisone injection in his injured wrist. CARL EVERETT will return to the Rangers after a successful stint in extended Spring Training. Jamey Newberg of the fabulous Newberg Report (www.newbergreport.com) suggests that Everett’s return – assuming he can handle CF – may set off a chain reaction for the Rangers. While I would want more in return for some of the names he suggests giving up, check it out for yourself.
Better news is that former Oriole and Ranger manager Johnny Oates appears to be tumor free after brain surgery. While he is not in the clear, any time you can beat an aggressive cancer for any period of time is what a friend of mine calls “bless time.” Use it well, Johnny.
Peter Gammons’ column this weekend finally dislodged the news on SEAN BURROUGHS’ shoulder injury. Burroughs has been battling a shoulder impingement that has affected his swing. An impingement is an injury that involves the muscles of the rotator cuff and if left unchecked often needs surgical correction. To picture this injury accurately, imagine a key as the shoulder muscle and the keyhole as the sections of bone that the muscles move through in their motion. If the key were to swell, it wouldn’t fit in the keyhole and friction and nastiness ensues. The Padres are being conservative with this injury, as well they should be. Since it is a chronic condition, it may explain some of Burroughs’ slow start.
The Marlins took a double whammy on Saturday, losing both ace BRAD PENNY and shortstop dead weight ALEX GONZALEZ. Using Lee Sinins’ Sabremetric Baseball Encyclopedia (www.baseball-encyclopedia.com), I find that Alex Gonzalez is the sixth worst shortstop in the period 1998 (his debut) to current. How does Neifi Perez have a job? His loss, assuming any reasonable replacement, may help the Fish. Brad Penny’s loss will not be as easily solved. A dislocated shoulder will keep Gonzalez out at least eight weeks and quite possibly longer. While no official word has been handed down from the Marlins, Penny diagnosed himself with nerve problems and declared he would be back on the DL soon. Suddenly, the Penny for BRANDON PHILLIPS deal doesn’t look so curious anymore.
EDGARDO ALFONZO will miss a few games with a strained hamstring. Alfonzo apparently injured himself early last week, but was hitting so well he was reluctant to come out of the lineup. With JOHN VALENTIN out as well, the Mets are very thin in the infield and can now less afford the anemic bat of REY ORDONEZ. Trade rumors are fast and furious around the Mets. One rumor was that GM Steve Phillips inquired about the availability of ROYCE CLAYTON. If true, Phillips should be fired on principle.
MARK DEROSA injured his ankle while legging out a double and will need surgery. The injury pushes RAFAEL FURCAL to shortstop and MARCUS GILES back to second. The move to short makes Furcal more injury prone, which is worth watching for. DeRosa’s injury was blamed on lack of flexibility. Hmm.
KYLE FARNSWORTH had a CT done on his injured foot late last week that showed the fracture is not healing as expected. Farnsworth will likely miss at least three more weeks plus a rehab stint, so the Cubs bullpen is getting shabbier by the second. A decision on one or more of CHRIS STYNES, DELINO DESHIELDS, and MARK BELLHORN will need to be made by Wednesday when MARK PRIOR is due to debut for the Cubs. (Tickets are still available for Prior’s first game.)
MATT MANTEI made appearances on back-to-back days for El Paso (AA). He reported no “unusual” pain and expects to be activated on May 29. He’s also stated that he expects to be the closer when he returns. Mantei was on the disabled list, not some Survivor island right? Is he that disconnected from reality?
JOSH PEARCE of St Louis is back in the minors but can’t escape the curse that has descended on St. Louis starters. He has a “major” labrum tear in his pitching shoulder. Someone needs to head over to www.netshrine.com and come up with a catchy name for this curse.
FLASH GORDON met with surgeon Lewis Yocum regarding his shoulder. Results of a comparison MRI (one made to compare with previous results) showed good progress. He was cleared to throw from a mound and is on schedule for a June return. He’ll surely need a rehab stint so you’ll have plenty of warning when he’s ready. The Cubs need relief help now, but it is interesting to think that the Cubs could have three legitimate “closer” types on the roster in late June or early July. Since the Cubs are playing themselves out of contention, one or more of those players should be great trade bait.
I have another report from a good source on KEN GRIFFEY. Supposedly, team doctor Tim Kremchek has told associates that Griffey will return on Friday. If anyone on this list has a Reds connection (and I know you do), tell Kremchek to be quiet until Griffey is ready to play.
Tomorrow’s report will be our usual weekly FOXSPORTS.COM report – although Fox did pick up our daily on Friday. Flashes as necessary to keep you up to date. (And go see our updated logo at www.willcarroll.com!)