LaRussa Feels Guilty
“I realize that we’re a society fixated on controversy, and that it sells papers and generates calls to the talk shows,” La Russa says of the HGH story. “But this is wrong. Where is the responsibility? Where is the credibility?
“Wait until all of the facts are in. If it turns out to be something accurate, and if there’s guilt, if he screwed up, then slam him. But this is irresponsible. He doesn’t deserve this.”
This kid has gone though every bad break in life,” says La Russa, aware that Ankiel’s father was released last year after being sentenced to six years in federal prison for his role in a Bahamian drug trafficking ring. “He’s hanging on for his dear life. He has ‘Tommy John’ surgery.
“A doctor says, ‘Can we prescribe stuff to speed up your recovery and maybe give you one more chance as a pitcher?’ Why wouldn’t he listen to what the doctor is telling him? This was his last hurrah. You think he was worrying about outfield play? He was gone.
“This kid’s problems have been more sensational and more severe than we had,” La Russa says. “But he never made excuses. Never tried to blame people. He just toughed it out. I’ve never seen a player walk through the clubhouse and get the joyful response this young man got. And now people are trying to tear him down? He needs to be admired. He doesn’t deserve this.”
DAMIAN SAYS: For those of you who do not know, LaRussa killed this kid’s career a few years back in the post-season.
Regardless, I LAUGHED OUT LOUD last night while listening to the Toronto Blue Jays announcing team proclaim that Ankiel should be exempt from MEDIA scrutiny for taking HGH because it was not a banned substance a couple of years ago. It’s AMAZING how those two white announcers never use that defense for “anyone else”….
It’s AMAZING how everyone has come to their senses regarding testing and substance abuse. I’m glad Ankiel has show everyone the way….
TONY VAHL SAYS: Do I sense guilt in LaRussa’s words, since he and Duncan probably screwed up his pitching career to begin with?
I don’t disagree with his words, but I also know that LaRussa’s not going to defend Barry Bonds, either.
Talk about hypocrisy!
TONY VAHL ALSO SAYS: I agree with the notion that our society drives people like truck drivers and Emergency room doctors to take dangerous stimulants. I agree that the same hypocrites who buy cheap produce at Wal-mart, or go to the ER at 2am, are ripping Barry Bonds for taking HGH.
I also believe that the sports writers have skeletons in their writing closets — it might not be rotten apples on their desks or opium … but I can believe they use porn to relax, or smoke cigarettes or pot, drink way too much coffee, eat way too much greasy food … all stuff that keeps them going, but is still bad for their mental and physical health.
I personally believe that drugs may not help artists be more creative, just as it is not proven that HGH will help athletes become hall of famers.
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Bonds failed a greenies test. Bonds said he rubbed cream on himself during grand jury testimony. Who’s the racist, Damon?
You are, stats geek.
A man can’t rub cream on himself? Maybe he needed lotion because his skin was dry.
Besides, the Grand Jury testimony was supposed to remain sealed. The fact that it was leaked indicates someone involved in the case wanted Bonds to be guilty in the court of public opinion.
Bonds is an American citizen who deserves fair due process under the law. He has not received that. He’s been tarred and feathered based on illegally leaked testimony and supposed evidence like his hat size.
Baseball writers being judges of a person’s drug use simply by looking at them or checking out their shoe size is like a person from prehistoric times being asked to judge the performance of a new car. Writers are not medical experts, and their words should not be taken as evidence of anything.
Ankiel, on the other hand, has been caught red-handed. However, the MEDIA is giving him a pass b/c he’s a feel-good story … b/c they feel sorry for him … b/c he’s a nice young white boy, and not an opinionated black man.
Vahl, you are asking us to swallow our common sense and ignore empirical observations. Bonds’ head HAS increased in size. His body HAS gotten larger. And so did his homerun totals…although he has been slowing down since MLB enacted steroid testing. (not HGH testing, though)
Vahl, your comments show me we live in a “blind leading the blind” society.
I thought Bond’s head was always that size.
Hmmm…