Jeff Bagwell, a decent minor leaguer with a future in bodybuilding, who eventually hit 449 MLB homers, didnt enter the Hall of Fame on his first try.
Pinch yourselves, sanctimonious moralists! Just to prove it's not all some wonderous dream. Is that wicked bastion of McCarthyism, the Hall of Fame, still standing? Check. Phew.
Showing posts with label PEDs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PEDs. Show all posts
06 January 2011
05 January 2011
Little Big Men
08 August 2010
Puppet Show
It's pretty evident Gonzo benefited from PEDS. No clean player in history enjoyed such a late career power transformation. I dont think that makes him a pariah, necessarily, or all that unusual among contemporaries - nor does it negate earlier franchise glory, within such a broadly corrupted sport.
But if I was Kendrick, blustering about the game's old fashioned virtues whenever it suits me, I might think twice before eagerly tatooing '20' on the stadium next to Jackie Robinson. The same owner who planted "whispers" about Gonzo before contract negotiations, today cant fill seats with his own whisper of a team. So a compromised Kendrick finally adopts the popular WS hero to nudge ahead of the Nats and Reds in attendance - subordinating pious PED 'principle' to profit.
By all accounts, it was a welcome event for a near sellout throng, who paid premium rates to send off Gonzalez for the twenty ninth or thirtieth time. Ah, the joys of club sponsored, canned "tributes". Some say it signals a change of policy, or even of heart. Diamondhacks isnt so sure. We bristled when these stewards actively erased our heritage, and yes, we're complaining now when they embrace it. Because timing and track record are everything.
Gonzo's well attended and, let's face it, long underdue, honor is the latest in a string of puppet shows manipulated by Kendrick and Derrick Hall. It's what you dish out when you cant deliver the real thing. Dolls, puppets, cheap mass produced reproductions. Wide screen reruns of a distant World Series, co-opted by Kendrick after years of sneering at everything associated with it.
It's early August and we're already waist deep in increasingly dubious bobbleheads, which are plastic (formerly ceramic) puppets. Daron Sutton's oleaginous bidding and spasmodic theatrics evoke puppetry of a different kind. AJ Hinch was a figurative puppet. Ungainly characters in the ill conceived "Legends Race" are, literally, puppets. This entire organizational cast is inflated and painted for the show, yet relatively hollow inside.
Ironically, Luis Gonzalez seems to be the most human character among them. Fifty thousand came out to say so. To affirm that even with his wooden cliches and the spectre of steroids dancing overhead, something about Gonzalez is still more real and worthwhile than anything the current organization has to offer.
But if I was Kendrick, blustering about the game's old fashioned virtues whenever it suits me, I might think twice before eagerly tatooing '20' on the stadium next to Jackie Robinson. The same owner who planted "whispers" about Gonzo before contract negotiations, today cant fill seats with his own whisper of a team. So a compromised Kendrick finally adopts the popular WS hero to nudge ahead of the Nats and Reds in attendance - subordinating pious PED 'principle' to profit.
By all accounts, it was a welcome event for a near sellout throng, who paid premium rates to send off Gonzalez for the twenty ninth or thirtieth time. Ah, the joys of club sponsored, canned "tributes". Some say it signals a change of policy, or even of heart. Diamondhacks isnt so sure. We bristled when these stewards actively erased our heritage, and yes, we're complaining now when they embrace it. Because timing and track record are everything.
Gonzo's well attended and, let's face it, long underdue, honor is the latest in a string of puppet shows manipulated by Kendrick and Derrick Hall. It's what you dish out when you cant deliver the real thing. Dolls, puppets, cheap mass produced reproductions. Wide screen reruns of a distant World Series, co-opted by Kendrick after years of sneering at everything associated with it.
It's early August and we're already waist deep in increasingly dubious bobbleheads, which are plastic (formerly ceramic) puppets. Daron Sutton's oleaginous bidding and spasmodic theatrics evoke puppetry of a different kind. AJ Hinch was a figurative puppet. Ungainly characters in the ill conceived "Legends Race" are, literally, puppets. This entire organizational cast is inflated and painted for the show, yet relatively hollow inside.
Ironically, Luis Gonzalez seems to be the most human character among them. Fifty thousand came out to say so. To affirm that even with his wooden cliches and the spectre of steroids dancing overhead, something about Gonzalez is still more real and worthwhile than anything the current organization has to offer.
13 January 2010
Discounted Macs
For all the blather about PEDs and the Hall of Fame, there are really two major camps. People who feel admitted or probable drug use bars players from consideration, and people who dont. Those in the latter group often argue that PEDs "dont matter", and should be ignored for a variety of moral or practical reasons.
Fortunately, the gap between these entrenched extremes has finally been bridged by an independent voice of reason, our good friend from azsnakepit.com, who asks if we can dispassionately quantify McGwire's "clean" career stats for HOF consideration.
This was an intrepid question - three years ago, when I asked it - but it's fun to see Jim take credit for the idea now, as well as plug in some numbers to test "his" hypothesis. Mr McLennan reasons that andro etc inflated McGwire's tater tally by about 125, and that Mark's "clean", park adjusted OPS is roughly 20-25 points lower than his "dirty" 163.
I havent really thought about Jim's methodology, but am fine with his adjustments as a point of discussion. They actually sound pretty reasonable. Anyway, Jim researches and crunches this lengthy piece, and closes as follows:
Having seen the apparent scope of the benefit gained, I'm forced to conclude he shouldn't be allowed within a hundred miles of Cooperstown
Let's think about this, in light of Jim's numbers. He's estimated "clean" Mark would hit 458 homers (583-125) and have a career OPS+ near 140. Is it reasonable to conclude that a clean player with those credentials "shouldn't be allowed within a hundred miles of Cooperstown".
I would think not, considering of the fifteen eligible hitters in history who've met both thresholds, every single one has a plaque. That doesnt prove our theoretically clean Mac is a lock however. Fred McGriff met those thresholds, in spirit if not in fact, and didnt garner much support first time around, despite a notable absence of PED whispers attached directly to his candidacy.
The point is, McLennan's abrupt conclusion contradicts the tone and particulars of his quantatative analysis. A clean 458/140 guy is, by definition, an extremely serious HOF candidate, and clearly a better hitter than either Jim Rice or Andre Dawson, to name two recent "immortals".
One can only wonder why McLennan's about face concludes his otherwise logical essay. Maybe it's because, deep down, he feels PED users should be be automatically barred from HOF consideration. Fine. If so, it would be nice if he expressed that up front, instead of propping up statistical research to awkwardly reinforce his own predetermined beliefs.
Fortunately, the gap between these entrenched extremes has finally been bridged by an independent voice of reason, our good friend from azsnakepit.com, who asks if we can dispassionately quantify McGwire's "clean" career stats for HOF consideration.This was an intrepid question - three years ago, when I asked it - but it's fun to see Jim take credit for the idea now, as well as plug in some numbers to test "his" hypothesis. Mr McLennan reasons that andro etc inflated McGwire's tater tally by about 125, and that Mark's "clean", park adjusted OPS is roughly 20-25 points lower than his "dirty" 163.
I havent really thought about Jim's methodology, but am fine with his adjustments as a point of discussion. They actually sound pretty reasonable. Anyway, Jim researches and crunches this lengthy piece, and closes as follows:
Having seen the apparent scope of the benefit gained, I'm forced to conclude he shouldn't be allowed within a hundred miles of Cooperstown
Let's think about this, in light of Jim's numbers. He's estimated "clean" Mark would hit 458 homers (583-125) and have a career OPS+ near 140. Is it reasonable to conclude that a clean player with those credentials "shouldn't be allowed within a hundred miles of Cooperstown".
I would think not, considering of the fifteen eligible hitters in history who've met both thresholds, every single one has a plaque. That doesnt prove our theoretically clean Mac is a lock however. Fred McGriff met those thresholds, in spirit if not in fact, and didnt garner much support first time around, despite a notable absence of PED whispers attached directly to his candidacy.The point is, McLennan's abrupt conclusion contradicts the tone and particulars of his quantatative analysis. A clean 458/140 guy is, by definition, an extremely serious HOF candidate, and clearly a better hitter than either Jim Rice or Andre Dawson, to name two recent "immortals".
One can only wonder why McLennan's about face concludes his otherwise logical essay. Maybe it's because, deep down, he feels PED users should be be automatically barred from HOF consideration. Fine. If so, it would be nice if he expressed that up front, instead of propping up statistical research to awkwardly reinforce his own predetermined beliefs.
14 December 2008
Middle of the Road
My Hall of Fame ballot: 
Rickey Henderson
Tim Raines
Bert Blyleven
Alan Trammell
which, incidentally, is identical to Rob Neyer's selections(see comment#16).
My rule of thumb for BBWAA candidates has evolved where they ought to be at or above the median level of previous enshrinees at their primary defensive position. In other words, I aim to induct players who enhance (or dont diminish) the standing of the overall body - which includes Veteran's Committee selections. By no means must they be icons like Aaron or Williams, but neither should they gain such early admittance, by merely outplaying the Hall's most dubious members. That clearly erodes the institution. Healthy institutions feature correcting mechanisms, and while Cooperstown wont (and probably shouldnt) retroactively oust poor selections, maybe we can provide that mechanism by agreeing not to further institutionalize history's weakest judgements.
By most modern measures, Henderson and Blyleven tower above the median HOFer at their respective positions, and Raines is pretty clearly above. He's 53rd all time (27th of 63 HOF OFers) in Career Runs Created, tied with Tony Gwynn. No eligible inductee higher than Tim on that list has ever been denied HOF membership, and tons of enshrinees fall below, way below, Raines' total of 1636 runs; Tim Raines created more runs than Gary Carter, Rod Carew or Roberto Clemente - and that's just the C's. Indeed, many HOFers, incl Jackie Robinson, Home Run Baker and the recently elected Joe Gordon failed to create even 1000 runs.
Trammell is not as clearly above my subjective median for Hall shortstops, but it's equally murky whether he's above or below that imaginary line, and that warrants my Yes vote.
Mark McGwire accumulated first rung HOF statistics. While I dont mean to categorically banish suspected PED users from consideration, neither can I, in good conscience, blithely admit a player until it's reasonably clear that PEDs were incidental, rather than integral to, his minimum HOF standing. Unlike Barry Bonds, for example, who established a HOF caliber career (1987-1998) before any hint of PED use, evidence of Mark's legitimate, PED-free greatness is, unfortunately, far less convincing.
None of the other candidates, as excellent as they were, meet the median criterion, in my view. A few are reasonably close, and the stone edifice on Cooperstown's Main Street wont spontaneously combust with their inductions, but it's important to remember - or understand - that history is also littered with scores, perhaps hundreds, of equally deserving players outside the Hall, and the imminent, largely media driven candidacies of legitimate but overrated stars like Jim Rice and Andre Dawson will gradually but inexorably erode the institution.
*************************
Song of the Day - Middle of the Road (The Pretenders)
Rickey Henderson
Tim Raines
Bert Blyleven
Alan Trammell
which, incidentally, is identical to Rob Neyer's selections(see comment#16).
My rule of thumb for BBWAA candidates has evolved where they ought to be at or above the median level of previous enshrinees at their primary defensive position. In other words, I aim to induct players who enhance (or dont diminish) the standing of the overall body - which includes Veteran's Committee selections. By no means must they be icons like Aaron or Williams, but neither should they gain such early admittance, by merely outplaying the Hall's most dubious members. That clearly erodes the institution. Healthy institutions feature correcting mechanisms, and while Cooperstown wont (and probably shouldnt) retroactively oust poor selections, maybe we can provide that mechanism by agreeing not to further institutionalize history's weakest judgements.
By most modern measures, Henderson and Blyleven tower above the median HOFer at their respective positions, and Raines is pretty clearly above. He's 53rd all time (27th of 63 HOF OFers) in Career Runs Created, tied with Tony Gwynn. No eligible inductee higher than Tim on that list has ever been denied HOF membership, and tons of enshrinees fall below, way below, Raines' total of 1636 runs; Tim Raines created more runs than Gary Carter, Rod Carew or Roberto Clemente - and that's just the C's. Indeed, many HOFers, incl Jackie Robinson, Home Run Baker and the recently elected Joe Gordon failed to create even 1000 runs.
Trammell is not as clearly above my subjective median for Hall shortstops, but it's equally murky whether he's above or below that imaginary line, and that warrants my Yes vote.Mark McGwire accumulated first rung HOF statistics. While I dont mean to categorically banish suspected PED users from consideration, neither can I, in good conscience, blithely admit a player until it's reasonably clear that PEDs were incidental, rather than integral to, his minimum HOF standing. Unlike Barry Bonds, for example, who established a HOF caliber career (1987-1998) before any hint of PED use, evidence of Mark's legitimate, PED-free greatness is, unfortunately, far less convincing.
None of the other candidates, as excellent as they were, meet the median criterion, in my view. A few are reasonably close, and the stone edifice on Cooperstown's Main Street wont spontaneously combust with their inductions, but it's important to remember - or understand - that history is also littered with scores, perhaps hundreds, of equally deserving players outside the Hall, and the imminent, largely media driven candidacies of legitimate but overrated stars like Jim Rice and Andre Dawson will gradually but inexorably erode the institution.
*************************
Song of the Day - Middle of the Road (The Pretenders)
14 February 2008
Bleeding
They said it was great drama, but by the time I flipped on C-Span's tape of Waxman's assembly, waxing and whining Wednesday evening, I nearly fell asleep. I guess it's drama if one doubts whether Clemens is innocent, or if yesterday's hearing clarified any facts.
Prior to the hearing, we knew Brian McNamee was a shady, compromised lackey with a long history of lying back to his days as one of New York's ostensibly finest. Not quite a drug pusher, he was an unapologetic drug dealer catering to elite athletes. That was his life. But his claims about injecting Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch have been corroborated, and any motive to falsely accuse Roger Clemens is unclear. What did we learn about Roger Clemens that escaped attention across twenty odd years, the Mitchell Report or 60 Minutes? Well, apparently his ass has been bleeding for years and the large growth on it is inconsistent with B-12 shots but symptomatic of Winstrol, according to an independent specialist. The hearing was framed as a case where both McNamee and Clemens couldnt possibly be telling the truth. Fair enough, but it's also clear both principles have obfuscated the truth repeatedly; withholding evidence, adjusting stories,etc.
Prior to the hearing, we knew Brian McNamee was a shady, compromised lackey with a long history of lying back to his days as one of New York's ostensibly finest. Not quite a drug pusher, he was an unapologetic drug dealer catering to elite athletes. That was his life. But his claims about injecting Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch have been corroborated, and any motive to falsely accuse Roger Clemens is unclear. What did we learn about Roger Clemens that escaped attention across twenty odd years, the Mitchell Report or 60 Minutes? Well, apparently his ass has been bleeding for years and the large growth on it is inconsistent with B-12 shots but symptomatic of Winstrol, according to an independent specialist. The hearing was framed as a case where both McNamee and Clemens couldnt possibly be telling the truth. Fair enough, but it's also clear both principles have obfuscated the truth repeatedly; withholding evidence, adjusting stories,etc. Are these hearings bad for baseball, or a necessary price to pay for the game to regain credibility and grow into a greater pastime? Shedding light on PEDs, specifically, seems like a healthy long term development, but something more ominous is being exposed in tandem during these hearings, something more damaging than even the collective drug revelations themselves - and that is baseball's entrenched culture of lying. Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmiero and Roger Clemens have been compromising the truth for so long, in so many ways, to so many people that either they've rationalized away what the truth is, or have consciously decided that it just doesnt make sense to suddenly come clean, not even before federal authorities. There's too much at stake. Careers. Money. Immortality. Why voluntarily forfeit all that on a Wednesday afternoon after you've successfully hoodwinked a gawking American public and its prying media for more than a decade? And those three are just the tip of baseball's berg.
These guys arent worthy of harsh moral judgement for using PEDs - and if they harbor some disdain for Congress or "the process", I share that - but in light of depositions and emerging facts, the convoluted defiance of someone like Clemens, before the American people, is still astonishing. Memo to Roger: 1. The landscape is changing rapidly. 2. It's not the crime, it's the cover up.
How pervasive is the culture of lying in baseball? It's pervasive enough so that Andy Pettitte, who topped off years of public deception by understating the extent of his own PED use to investigators, is now heralded by some as a hero. He is not, but the point is that all MLB players, users and non-users, are trapped in a culture where telling the whole truth carries unusually high costs - a culture where it makes more sense to cheat or
condone cheating, and lie or condone lying than it does to clear the air with their customers, the American public.
This isn't peculiar to baseball. Withholding information and self interested lying are de rigueur in many organizations. Business, politics, military. What is peculiar, however, is that many of us harbor illusions about baseball as a qualitative escape from those "real-world" institutions. That's why this incremental exposure of MLB's disregard for the truth may harm baseball more than any future positive drug tests, confessions or guilty verdicts. We expect baseball to provide a respite from the world, yet what fans see is depressingly familiar, extending well beyond ilicit performance enhancement. The underbelly of a quintessentially American culture, a bastion of good clean entertainment with strong heroic undertones, is on display, and to this observer, baseball is not merely falling short of fans' lofty expectations - it is being exposed, little by little, as a deeply corrupt enterprise.
These guys arent worthy of harsh moral judgement for using PEDs - and if they harbor some disdain for Congress or "the process", I share that - but in light of depositions and emerging facts, the convoluted defiance of someone like Clemens, before the American people, is still astonishing. Memo to Roger: 1. The landscape is changing rapidly. 2. It's not the crime, it's the cover up.
How pervasive is the culture of lying in baseball? It's pervasive enough so that Andy Pettitte, who topped off years of public deception by understating the extent of his own PED use to investigators, is now heralded by some as a hero. He is not, but the point is that all MLB players, users and non-users, are trapped in a culture where telling the whole truth carries unusually high costs - a culture where it makes more sense to cheat or
condone cheating, and lie or condone lying than it does to clear the air with their customers, the American public.This isn't peculiar to baseball. Withholding information and self interested lying are de rigueur in many organizations. Business, politics, military. What is peculiar, however, is that many of us harbor illusions about baseball as a qualitative escape from those "real-world" institutions. That's why this incremental exposure of MLB's disregard for the truth may harm baseball more than any future positive drug tests, confessions or guilty verdicts. We expect baseball to provide a respite from the world, yet what fans see is depressingly familiar, extending well beyond ilicit performance enhancement. The underbelly of a quintessentially American culture, a bastion of good clean entertainment with strong heroic undertones, is on display, and to this observer, baseball is not merely falling short of fans' lofty expectations - it is being exposed, little by little, as a deeply corrupt enterprise.
(photos courtesy of Susan Walsh & Jose Luis Magana/AP & thenastyboys.wordpress.com )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
