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10-01-2006, 01:26 PM
I am so f*cking sick of the steroid issue!
Personally, I smell some strong-arming on the part of officials who are desparate to get a handle on steroid use in MLB....the whole thing about "suggesting" names to Grimsley....(bold-faced in the article)....I mean, WTF is that?! It reeks of Joe McCarthy on his witch hunt for Communists! "Give us names or else!" :angry: (See Miggy's comments about being thrown under the bus and giving up names.)
And the theme through all of the players' comments are they barely even had conversations with Grimsley, much less talking about steroids. :hmm:
Puh-leese.....BRIAN ROBERTS!? He's a member of the freakin' Fellowship of Christian Athletes, for God's sake. He works tirelessly with kids, and hardly would jeopardize his career, in these times, by using steroids.
And Jay Gibbons is the freakin' player representative, for God's sake.
:Pissed: GEEZ, THIS PISSES ME OFF!! These guys are not stupid. Only somebody stupid would be using steroids in this climate.
I've bold-faced some parts of the article.
3 O's are accused of drug use
Tejada, Roberts, Gibbons all implicated based on statements by former Oriole Grimsley
By Dan Connolly and Jeff Zrebiec
sun reporters
Originally published October 1, 2006
Three of the Orioles' most popular and highest-profile players were accused of being anabolic steroid users by former teammate Jason Grimsley in a federal affidavit earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times is reporting in today's editions.
Grimsley said All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada , second baseman Brian Roberts and designated hitter Jay Gibbons "took anabolic steroids," the Times reported. All three Orioles vehemently denied the report in interviews with The Sun after last night's 5-4 victory against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
"I don't pay attention to what Grimsley said," Tejada said. "I know that I've never had a problem with that. I know that I've never used that, and I know I am clean.
"I don't worry about anybody who puts me in that stuff. I'll get checked out for anybody, any time, any moment -- whenever they want."
Gibbons said: "I have passed every test administered by Major League Baseball over all the years. I have never taken anabolic steroids. And I am not going to dignify these claims and accusations with any further response."
Roberts said much the same.
"His accusations are ridiculous," Roberts said. "We've had steroid testing, and I've taken all the tests. There is no point in getting into verbal wars. That's really all there is to say."
The Times learned the information from a source who viewed an unedited copy of the search warrant affidavit filed in federal court in Arizona on May 31.
Also named by Grimsley are Houston Astros star pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte and former Orioles first baseman David Segui, according to the Times' source, who had authorized access to the document and allowed the Times to see it before retaining it and reading back the previously redacted information.
A second source and confidant of Grimsley's had previously disclosed player identities and provided additional details about the affidavit to the Times. The sources insisted on anonymity.
A workout fanatic since before he debuted with the Orioles in 2001, Gibbons said he knows his muscular physique and power potential have made him the subject of steroid rumors. But, as the club's player union representative, he has been an outspoken proponent of stronger drug testing.
Tejada, the Orioles' Most Valuable Player two of the past three seasons, has been at the center of performance-enhancing drug talk before. Jose Canseco, in his 2005 book Juiced, said that in 1997 he lectured Tejada, then his rookie teammate with the Oakland Athletics, about steroids, "and he seemed interested in what I was saying." Canseco never said he shared steroids with Tejada, but he implied that Tejada's increased strength and size came from artificial means.
Then, late last season, former Oriole Rafael Palmeiro, who had tested positive for the steroid stanozolol, suggested to a federal committee that he must have received a tainted supply of liquid vitamin B-12 from Tejada in April.
The panel learned that Tejada routinely used B-12, not legal in the United States without a prescription, and shared it with teammates. But specimens that Tejada forwarded to the government were free of stanozolol or other steroids, and Tejada was cleared by the committee.
"I don't know why they always bring up my name. I already had trouble with Palmeiro last year," Tejada said. "I am not stupid. I already have my money. I already have great numbers. I've already had a great career. Why should I do something stupid with Grimsley?"
An irritated Tejada continued: "I don't cheat in this game. Everything I do is because I work hard and try to get better. You think if I use steroids ... that I'd play as many consecutive games as I play? Sometimes I don't understand. If you get caught, you got to bring somebody else in. You have to throw people under the bus."
Gibbons, too, sounded outraged by the allegations.
"I never had a single meaningful conversation with Jason Grimsley in my life. ... This is a joke," Gibbons said.
Perhaps the most surprising name involved is that of Roberts, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound second baseman whose boyish good looks and squeaky-clean image have helped make him a poster boy for the organization.
"Grimsley and I had zero relationship when he was here," Roberts said. "I haven't talked to Grimsley about anything related to steroids in my life."
Club owner Peter G. Angelos, reached by phone last evening, deferred comment to Orioles Executive Vice President Mike Flanagan.
"I haven't seen it yet, so as of right now I can't comment on it," Flanagan said during a telephone interview. "It wouldn't be fair at this time. We have to see what context this is all in."
Until the Times' report, the names in the affidavit had been blacked out and had not been leaked to the public. Grimsley, who was with the Orioles from June 2004 until September 2005 but was injured most of that time, allegedly gave up the names while he was being investigated for purchasing human growth hormone. His representatives have said that Grimsley is no longer cooperating in the federal investigation.
According to the 20-page search warrant affidavit signed by IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, Grimsley told investigators he obtained amphetamines, anabolic steroids and human growth hormones from a source recommended to him by former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee, the Times reported. The former team trainer is a personal strength coach for both Clemens and Pettitte.
According to the affidavit, Grimsley told investigators that Clemens and Pettitte "used[ athletic performance-enhancing drugs." Clemens and Pettitte did not respond to the Times' requests for comment, made yesterday through their agents and the Astros. McNamee did not return multiple messages left by the Times with his wife and on his answering machine.
A sixth player, the retired Segui, previously came forward to say that his name was among those blacked out in the affidavit provided to the public. He contends that he used hGH on a prescription from a doctor in Florida, and that the Orioles knew he was on the drug. The club said Segui never documented his hGH use for the team on mandatory health reports and did not make it known to team officials until the day he left the team in 2004.
Government officials have declined to comment to the Times about their continuing investigation of drugs in professional baseball.
Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner who came out of retirement to pitch for the Astros in each of the past two years, was a teammate of Grimsley's on the Yankees in 1999-2000, as was Pettitte, a two-time All-Star who is nearing 200 career wins.
Grimsley started this year with the Arizona Diamondbacks but requested voluntary retirement in June. The National League also suspended him for 50 games.
Edward Novak, Grimsley's lawyer, did not return calls to the Times. Previously, Novak publicly disputed the claims that investigators made in the affidavit, saying that his client did not volunteer the names of any teammates. He said federal agents asked Grimsley to wear a recording device to gather evidence against San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds - part of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative investigation - but Grimsley refused.
Grimsley has not been charged. Since June, he has complained to friends that federal agents credited him with statements and disclosures he didn't make.
"Jason is loyal to the death, a hard-headed guy who would not give up his friends," one of Grimsley's friends told the Times. [b]"The only names he discussed with those investigators were names [the investigators] suggested to him."
The Grimsley friend, who talked about the investigation on the condition that he not be named, said investigators warned the pitcher that "if he didn't continue to cooperate, they would expose him as a rat."/b]
Richard Levin, a spokesman for Major League Baseball, told the Times that MLB and the players union are "doing everything we can to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing substances and amphetamines from the game."
Regarding the investigators' affidavit, Levin said baseball officials have "no information [about] how it was obtained or its accuracy."
Copyright © 2006, The Baltimore Sun
Personally, I smell some strong-arming on the part of officials who are desparate to get a handle on steroid use in MLB....the whole thing about "suggesting" names to Grimsley....(bold-faced in the article)....I mean, WTF is that?! It reeks of Joe McCarthy on his witch hunt for Communists! "Give us names or else!" :angry: (See Miggy's comments about being thrown under the bus and giving up names.)
And the theme through all of the players' comments are they barely even had conversations with Grimsley, much less talking about steroids. :hmm:
Puh-leese.....BRIAN ROBERTS!? He's a member of the freakin' Fellowship of Christian Athletes, for God's sake. He works tirelessly with kids, and hardly would jeopardize his career, in these times, by using steroids.
And Jay Gibbons is the freakin' player representative, for God's sake.
:Pissed: GEEZ, THIS PISSES ME OFF!! These guys are not stupid. Only somebody stupid would be using steroids in this climate.
I've bold-faced some parts of the article.
3 O's are accused of drug use
Tejada, Roberts, Gibbons all implicated based on statements by former Oriole Grimsley
By Dan Connolly and Jeff Zrebiec
sun reporters
Originally published October 1, 2006
Three of the Orioles' most popular and highest-profile players were accused of being anabolic steroid users by former teammate Jason Grimsley in a federal affidavit earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times is reporting in today's editions.
Grimsley said All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada , second baseman Brian Roberts and designated hitter Jay Gibbons "took anabolic steroids," the Times reported. All three Orioles vehemently denied the report in interviews with The Sun after last night's 5-4 victory against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
"I don't pay attention to what Grimsley said," Tejada said. "I know that I've never had a problem with that. I know that I've never used that, and I know I am clean.
"I don't worry about anybody who puts me in that stuff. I'll get checked out for anybody, any time, any moment -- whenever they want."
Gibbons said: "I have passed every test administered by Major League Baseball over all the years. I have never taken anabolic steroids. And I am not going to dignify these claims and accusations with any further response."
Roberts said much the same.
"His accusations are ridiculous," Roberts said. "We've had steroid testing, and I've taken all the tests. There is no point in getting into verbal wars. That's really all there is to say."
The Times learned the information from a source who viewed an unedited copy of the search warrant affidavit filed in federal court in Arizona on May 31.
Also named by Grimsley are Houston Astros star pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte and former Orioles first baseman David Segui, according to the Times' source, who had authorized access to the document and allowed the Times to see it before retaining it and reading back the previously redacted information.
A second source and confidant of Grimsley's had previously disclosed player identities and provided additional details about the affidavit to the Times. The sources insisted on anonymity.
A workout fanatic since before he debuted with the Orioles in 2001, Gibbons said he knows his muscular physique and power potential have made him the subject of steroid rumors. But, as the club's player union representative, he has been an outspoken proponent of stronger drug testing.
Tejada, the Orioles' Most Valuable Player two of the past three seasons, has been at the center of performance-enhancing drug talk before. Jose Canseco, in his 2005 book Juiced, said that in 1997 he lectured Tejada, then his rookie teammate with the Oakland Athletics, about steroids, "and he seemed interested in what I was saying." Canseco never said he shared steroids with Tejada, but he implied that Tejada's increased strength and size came from artificial means.
Then, late last season, former Oriole Rafael Palmeiro, who had tested positive for the steroid stanozolol, suggested to a federal committee that he must have received a tainted supply of liquid vitamin B-12 from Tejada in April.
The panel learned that Tejada routinely used B-12, not legal in the United States without a prescription, and shared it with teammates. But specimens that Tejada forwarded to the government were free of stanozolol or other steroids, and Tejada was cleared by the committee.
"I don't know why they always bring up my name. I already had trouble with Palmeiro last year," Tejada said. "I am not stupid. I already have my money. I already have great numbers. I've already had a great career. Why should I do something stupid with Grimsley?"
An irritated Tejada continued: "I don't cheat in this game. Everything I do is because I work hard and try to get better. You think if I use steroids ... that I'd play as many consecutive games as I play? Sometimes I don't understand. If you get caught, you got to bring somebody else in. You have to throw people under the bus."
Gibbons, too, sounded outraged by the allegations.
"I never had a single meaningful conversation with Jason Grimsley in my life. ... This is a joke," Gibbons said.
Perhaps the most surprising name involved is that of Roberts, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound second baseman whose boyish good looks and squeaky-clean image have helped make him a poster boy for the organization.
"Grimsley and I had zero relationship when he was here," Roberts said. "I haven't talked to Grimsley about anything related to steroids in my life."
Club owner Peter G. Angelos, reached by phone last evening, deferred comment to Orioles Executive Vice President Mike Flanagan.
"I haven't seen it yet, so as of right now I can't comment on it," Flanagan said during a telephone interview. "It wouldn't be fair at this time. We have to see what context this is all in."
Until the Times' report, the names in the affidavit had been blacked out and had not been leaked to the public. Grimsley, who was with the Orioles from June 2004 until September 2005 but was injured most of that time, allegedly gave up the names while he was being investigated for purchasing human growth hormone. His representatives have said that Grimsley is no longer cooperating in the federal investigation.
According to the 20-page search warrant affidavit signed by IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, Grimsley told investigators he obtained amphetamines, anabolic steroids and human growth hormones from a source recommended to him by former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee, the Times reported. The former team trainer is a personal strength coach for both Clemens and Pettitte.
According to the affidavit, Grimsley told investigators that Clemens and Pettitte "used[ athletic performance-enhancing drugs." Clemens and Pettitte did not respond to the Times' requests for comment, made yesterday through their agents and the Astros. McNamee did not return multiple messages left by the Times with his wife and on his answering machine.
A sixth player, the retired Segui, previously came forward to say that his name was among those blacked out in the affidavit provided to the public. He contends that he used hGH on a prescription from a doctor in Florida, and that the Orioles knew he was on the drug. The club said Segui never documented his hGH use for the team on mandatory health reports and did not make it known to team officials until the day he left the team in 2004.
Government officials have declined to comment to the Times about their continuing investigation of drugs in professional baseball.
Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner who came out of retirement to pitch for the Astros in each of the past two years, was a teammate of Grimsley's on the Yankees in 1999-2000, as was Pettitte, a two-time All-Star who is nearing 200 career wins.
Grimsley started this year with the Arizona Diamondbacks but requested voluntary retirement in June. The National League also suspended him for 50 games.
Edward Novak, Grimsley's lawyer, did not return calls to the Times. Previously, Novak publicly disputed the claims that investigators made in the affidavit, saying that his client did not volunteer the names of any teammates. He said federal agents asked Grimsley to wear a recording device to gather evidence against San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds - part of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative investigation - but Grimsley refused.
Grimsley has not been charged. Since June, he has complained to friends that federal agents credited him with statements and disclosures he didn't make.
"Jason is loyal to the death, a hard-headed guy who would not give up his friends," one of Grimsley's friends told the Times. [b]"The only names he discussed with those investigators were names [the investigators] suggested to him."
The Grimsley friend, who talked about the investigation on the condition that he not be named, said investigators warned the pitcher that "if he didn't continue to cooperate, they would expose him as a rat."/b]
Richard Levin, a spokesman for Major League Baseball, told the Times that MLB and the players union are "doing everything we can to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing substances and amphetamines from the game."
Regarding the investigators' affidavit, Levin said baseball officials have "no information [about] how it was obtained or its accuracy."
Copyright © 2006, The Baltimore Sun