Happy Sunday, all. Set your fantasy football lineups, yet? T-minus 45 minutes to go before kickoff.Before we get to John Ennis and a had-to-have-it win for the Phillies yesterday, I wanted to address the big story in baseball this week. A report in Friday's edition of the New York Daily News revealed that Cardinals pitcher-turned-slugger Rick Ankiel received eight shipments of human growth hormone (HGH) in a 12-month span in 2004.
In my Sunday notes, I addressed the Ankiel story. To me, it's hardly astonishing that he's been able to reinvent himself as a slugger. Ankiel is a super athlete, and like Phillies first-round pick Joe Savery, was an excellent hitter who happened to become a pitcher. There's also no proof that he took HGH for any reason except to speed his recovery from elbow ligament replacement surgery, or that he continued to take it after he received his last shipment. Back then, HGH wasn't outlawed by baseball, and according to the Daily News report, the HGH was prescribed by a doctor.
But it also would be extremely naive to think that Ankiel ever stopped using it, even after it was banned by baseball. And, until there's a test that would detect HGH use, any baseball player who does anything extraordinary is going to come under suspicion. That's the sad legacy of the Steroid Era.
What do you think? In any way, does this cheapen what Ankiel, baseball's feel-good story of 2007, has done this season? Do you even care? Martin Frank weighs in here by quoting Johnny Cochran.
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Speaking of Martin, he pinch-hit for me at the Bank yesterday and chronicled Ennis' effective four-inning start, Clay Condrey's strong relief appearance and the Phillies' 9-1 blowout of the Marlins. Within the notebook, there's news of Cole Hamels' throwing session. Hamels threw lightly again this morning and reported no problems. The Phillies' fingers remained crossed that he'll be ready to pitch in about 7-10 days, but the biggest test will come later this week when he throws a bullpen session.
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Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr., who interviewed last week for the Astros' GM vacancy, is also a candidate for the Pirates' GM job.
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Game 1 of the Florida State League Championship Series went to ... Clearwater.
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Quick lineup note: Ryan Howard is getting a rest today against lefty Dontrelle Willis. Chase Utley is batting cleanup and starting at first base for the first time since July 9, 2006, against the Pirates.
Enjoy the game and your Sunday. More later.
5 comments:
RE: Ankiel
This is a classic example of how screwed up the witch-hunt has become.
We now know that Ankiel bought a substance that was legal at the time. Now the substance is illegal. What's the issue?
If I drive 65mph on a highway today and they lower the limit to 55mph tomorrow, come tomorrow can I get a ticket for going 65 today? Of course not.
Except, in baseball it's worse, because there's no way to know whether I'm going 65 today or yesterday.
I think baseball's busy enough with today's cheaters that they don't need to worry about those who did something legal that's now illegal.
Lots of issues discussed in brief in this post, however the importance of the Amaro interviews can't be ignored. If he is offered and accepts a job in either Pittsburgh or Houston, Phils fans can be assurred of at least 5 more years of ignorant baseball in Pittsburgh or a decline in production from the Astros.
Remember, he's the one who told us Howard and his contract situation "was not a priority."
Paul W: While there are many reasons to be critical of the work Amaro has done with the Phillies, the handling of Howard's contract isn't one of them. Few teams would've given Howard a long-term contract one year before he becomes arbitration eligible. Perhaps Amaro could've chosen his words more carefully, but trust me, Howard is important to the Phillies. When the time comes, they'll make him very rich, just like they did with Chase Utley. In the meantime, he received a nice raise in 2007. The Phillies could've renewed his contract at $400,000. Instead, they gave him $900,000. I'm sure everyone here wishes their boss would do the same.
Marcus Grimm: Good points. You're assuming, though, that Ankiel stopped taking HGH after it was outlawed by baseball. Problem is, we'll never know because there's no test for HGH. Unfortunately, until players submit to blood testing, everyone will be under suspicion. That's the sad legacy from the Steroid Era.
Scott, Amaro's handling of the contract isn't my central point, although it accounts for about 10% of it.
"Few teams would've given Howard a long-term contract one year before he becomes arbitration eligible."
Giving a player a long term at that stage is rarely done, I agree. (I wonder who the last player it was to recieve that honor.) But he had such a great season in 06 that at one time we were talking about the Maris family. Put that with the MVP, and we're talking about a special player. They even give him a nice little 900K bonus. (which in its own right, might be viewed as a snub when it's compared to Pujols) They'll give him his due contract - assuming he takes it - because they'll have to. Just like they 'had' to with Utley. That deal was a no-brainer, and PG knew what he'd be up against if he asn't signed.
Then they tell us that his contract/signing/situation isn't a priority.
I know Howard is important to the Phils as much as you know Howard is important to the Phils, yet we only think management knows Howard is important to the Phils. And it's comments like Amaro's that lead us fans to believe that as well as the glass always being half-empty around here. And if you need a second opinion on that, give Rolen or Schilling a call. See what they think.
(And by the way, who exactly is the management? Has anyone ever seen the owners? Cataldi made a great point a few months back - lets have an ownership day and put faces on these guys, Montgomery aside.)
I posted a while back on how a comment like Amaros, as simple and possibly unassuming as many may have viewed it, might lead Howard to think outside the box. Moreso if his agent has a great gift of gab.
I understand what Reuben was attempting to say, I think we all do. But if Ryan takes a look at seasons past he may be affected by it more than we know.
Sorry for the poop grammar in that post. I didnt preview...
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