I am only speculating, and if I am mistaken, please let know, but would HGH allow people to heal faster or stay healthier longer, giving an athlete an advantage over others not taking it.

There is some evidence it can do things like that in much older people. Think 55+. It is absolutely nothing that would help a professional athlete.

so if, in 2004, when MLB began random testing, why did players start using HGH? why was HGH banned in 2005?

I am only speculating, and if I am mistaken, please let know, but would HGH allow people to heal faster or stay healthier longer, giving an athlete an advantage over others not taking it.

why did players start using HGH?
why was HGH banned in 2005?

Because people in power believe something that has not been proven to improve baseball skills in any way that has been measured by scientific studies is bad. Also I’m sure Bud didn’t want to be called to Washington and lose the anti-trust exemption that MLB has.

so if, in 2004, when MLB began random testing, why did players start using HGH? why was HGH banned in 2005?

MLB made a PR decision not based on science. It’s understandable and defensible, at least, unlike the constant harping on HGH by people who aren’t informed.

There is zero scientific evidence that HGH helps you play baseball better. This is a wild goose chase led by uniformed, sometimes hysterical media members.

And we have a winner. HGH doesn’t help your eyes recognize the spin on a pitch better or to improve your reflexes to swing 1/6000th of a second faster. HGH =! PED

it’ll be that way for awhile, i think. fair? probably not. but without testing for HGH … stand by players at your own peril

There is zero scientific evidence that HGH helps you play baseball better. This is a wild goose chase led by uniformed, sometimes hysterical media members.

Mantis, you’re of the opinion that Bautista is clean?

Yeah, why don’t you look up my comment from Yardwork earlier? The completely overhauled batting stance and swing, consistent starting time, the fact that the Rogers Centre favors right handed batters with pull-power. Those can all lead to huge power spike.

I also believe in the Pos corallory(sp?) in that if caught positive, the public pressure and discredit is huge.

what do you mean, “Part of the problem”

Unless I’m reading the last comment wrong and this has all been in jest you’re saying it’s unfair to immediately accuse players of being on PEDs and yet you seem to be doing that with this post

* this “joke” requires some actual knowledge of Jose Bautista and swing mechanics

fair? probably not

Then stop being part of the problem

In fact I think this post from TBL proves Pos right, when he said this: “The public pressure is so intense that, I think, it has transcended reason and fairness and perspective. Now, if a player has a hot month-long stretch, the whispers begin.”

that’s not a novel concept. Been that way since all the big guys got busted. it’ll be that way for awhile, i think. fair? probably not. but without testing for HGH … stand by players at your own peril

Beer has always been a performance enhancer for me too.

yep. it kinda numbs ya and you can go an extra minute…

Beer has always been a performance enhancer for me too.

I can’t wait to read the definitive Bautista profile.

Posnanski is supposedly doing a huge piece on him in the next couple weeks.

He also made a great point that I think everyone should keep in mind regarding PED use in this day and age, and why it’s more unlikely than ever: public pressure. Anyone caught is savaged by the media and disgraced by the public.

In fact I think this post from TBL proves Pos right, when he said this: “The public pressure is so intense that, I think, it has transcended reason and fairness and perspective. Now, if a player has a hot month-long stretch, the whispers begin.”

When is Rick Reilly Going to Ask Him to Urinate Into a Cup?

Pretty sure baseball already asks him to do this, so that wouldnt be neccessary.