Braun Suspended For Rest Of 2013 Season

[CASS]

where are you getting this "information" from?

[Outlaw]

MLB Union pushing Arod hard to settle as of right now, he cannot win an appeal in thier opinion. Union is in bad posistion, because players want Arod off the field tonight and they want harsh punishments put in place ASAP. Seems MLB is deliberating still on whether to allow him to play tonight. 3PM they are still saying for offical announcment on everyone.

Arod will punished under both JDA and CBA just like Braun 211 games startign thursday. Poised to expediate Arod appeal also. 2 more days to cut a deal it appears.

[CASS]

Of course he can win an appeal that makes no sense.

[Outlaw]

Of course he can win an appeal that makes no sense.

That's the Union saying that, although I agree 100% he will never win an appeal. I usually do not use words like never, but hey, thats just my opinion. Common sense says if 14 people do a crime and 13 admit and take a punishment, how could any reasonable person conclude the 1 who doesnt admit could be found to have done nothing.

[Outlaw]

Arod 211 games starting Thursday. MLB statement lays out the accusations. I'm hearing he has 2 more days to cut a deal. They are using appeal paperwork as an excuse, being he is only one who has stated he will appeal.

[CASS]

New York Third Baseman Suspended 211 Regular Season Games
Through 2014 Season

there u go - as suspected. And "winning" an appeal means geting anything less than that you misunderstood me.

[Outlaw]

New York Third Baseman Suspended 211 Regular Season Games
Through 2014 Season

there u go - as suspected. And "winning" an appeal means geting anything less than that you misunderstood me.

30 Million dollars or so, too... He will never win an appeal or get it reduced IMO -so I guess we will see..... He has an offer somewhere in the nieghborhood of 115-150 games, plus other stipulations to settle by Thursday.

[Outlaw]

Blindsided- that is laugable.... He is doing the right thing and he listened to his family. Texas better take a hard look at some clinics in thier own backyard, so as not get blindsided again.


Nelson Cruz informed the Texas Rangers on Monday that he will accept his 50-game suspension, a move that stunned Rangers' officials, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told USA TODAY Sports.

Rangers officials were blindsided by the news, only learning of Cruz's decision Monday morning, hours before MLB was set to announce its discipline in the Biogenesis matter

Cruz issued a statement that he used in 2011 when he got an intestinal ailment and lost 40 lbs and he apologized to everyone. He cited an error in judgement. So he admits getting his PEDS from the clinic.

[Outlaw]

Peralta came totally clean in his apology. No excuses.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Cruz issued a statement that he used in 2011 when he got an intestinal ailment and lost 40 lbs and he apologized to everyone. He cited an error in judgement. So he admits getting his PEDS from the clinic.

'Error in judgment'
Ha!
Nice choice of words.
We can all go into an upscale store and think about shoplifting.
To do it, would be an error in judgment.
But, it's an 'error in judgment' that most of us would not even consider.
So, it really isn't an error in judgment at all.
An error in judgment for us, would be in even the thought of taking that item.
The taking of the item is an error in character.

Like shoplifting, it is only an 'error in judgment' when caught. If not caught, the PEDS users and shoplifters go on their merry way, no worse for the wear. In fact, they may consider doing it again, and again, and again.
Until caught. And they explain 'it was an error in judgment'.
That's life, for somebody with an error in character.

[Outlaw]

Cruz issued a statement that he used in 2011 when he got an intestinal ailment and lost 40 lbs and he apologized to everyone. He cited an error in judgement. So he admits getting his PEDS from the clinic.

'Error in judgment'
Ha!
Nice choice of words.
We can all go into an upscale store and think about shoplifting.
To do it, would be an error in judgment.
But, it's an 'error in judgment' that most of us would not even consider.
So, it really isn't an error in judgment at all.
An error in judgment for us, would be in even the thought of taking that item.
The taking of the item is an error in character.

Like shoplifting, it is only an 'error in judgment' when caught. If not caught, the PEDS users and shoplifters go on their merry way, no worse for the wear. In fact, they may consider doing it again, and again, and again.
Until caught. And they explain 'it was an error in judgment'.
That's life, for somebody with an error in character.

Dan see the below...similar to what you are saying above. Not one will admit using. I guess I understand, but most fans will not, at least not yet. I have known for sometime the FEDS are coming after everyne involved. Arod had better be very careful, as he is at the top of thier list.


Antonio Bastardo:

Today, I was notified by Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and will not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made significant errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Phillies’ organization, Phillies’ fans and my family, and look forward to helping the Phillies win a championship in 2014.

Fautino De Los Santos:

I was notified by Major League Baseball that I am to be suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I willingly accept this suspension and will not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain unsound decisions during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those decisions. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Padres’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I look forward to helping the San Diego Padres in 2014.

Sergio Escalona:

I was notified by Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I will accept this suspension and not exercise my right under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I will make every attempt to regain the trust and respect of the Astros’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I am hopeful that I can make significant contributions to the Astros in the 2014 season.

Fernando Martinez:

I have been notified by Major League Baseball that I am to be suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I accept this suspension and will not exercise my right under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made a serious mistake during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for this mistake. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Yankees’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I am hopeful that I can make significant contributions to the Yankees in 2014.

Jesus Montero:

I have been notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain mistakes during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those mistakes. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mariners’ organization, Mariners’ fans and my family. I look forward to making significant contributions to the Mariners in 2014.

Cesar Puello:

Today, I was notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. Out of respect for the Mets’ organization, my teammates, and my family, I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain mistakes during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those mistakes. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mets’ organization, Mets’ fans and my family, and ultimately helping the club win a championship.

Jordany Valdespin:

I have been notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mets’ organization, Mets’ fans and my family, and look forward to contributing to the Mets in 2014

[DOUGHBOYS]

I accept full responsibility for my error in judgment'

It makes the guilty seem like a bigger man. After all, 'accepting full responsibility', that sounds like a big deal.
It overcomes the meekly read 'error in judgment'. By a lot, right? After all, we all make errors in judgment.
Whoops, spilled my coffee, I made an error in judgment.
Sorry, I stepped on your foot, I made an error in judgment.
Errors in judgment could be done by anybody.

The accuser never uses those words.
He won't say, 'Honey, did you have an error in judgment last night?'
Nope.
Instead, it is this-
'YOU SLEPT WITH THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR? YOU WHORE!'
And in response, it is never-
'No Honey, it was an error in judgment'.
'An error in judgment' is not meant to be used by the accuser or accusee.
It is meant for a third party.
A lessening of the blow.
So it really goes like this:
'YOU SLEPT WITH THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR? YOU WHORE!'
'WHY NOT? HE'S A BETTER LOVER THAN YOU'LL EVER BE!
And to their parents, with news of a divorce, comes word that 'errors in judgment' were made.

Super fans will be mollified by the E-IJ
Real fans will know better.
And those who aren't fans at all will say, at least they accepted responsibility.
These lawyers releases are designed to make their players look better than they should.
That's a lawyers job.
But real fans of the game know better.
We'll know these players past, the next time they play.
And think less of them.
And that, that won't be an error in judgment.

[swampass]

all these guys are scumbags, but the bigger scumbags are probably the agents, owners, and GMs who knew damn well what was happening but never said a word because it would cost them money, prestige, and the chance to win.

maybe im on my own here but im sick and tired of all these million dollar athletes, owners, and gms who have brains the size of peanuts. i dont believe one word of any of those statements that outlaw posted. each one at the end should read, "i mean i just never thought I'd get caught." GM/Owner - "wow, we thought we had a good thing going but we never expected to get caught."

im done spending money on these guys. i love this game but dammit to all hell if nots getting ruined on a daily basis. the nfl and their rule changes along with their players characters are another laughing matter.

i remember just a few decades ago how huge of a sports fan i was.. now baseball is the last one i watch and its frankly becoming harder and harder to stomach. its also sad to see the similarities of our laughable gov't and this PED scandal. if a rat hadnt been caught who knows how much longer the wool would have been over our eyes.

[Atlas]

Cruz issued a statement that he used in 2011 when he got an intestinal ailment and lost 40 lbs and he apologized to everyone. He cited an error in judgement. So he admits getting his PEDS from the clinic.

'Error in judgment'
Ha!
Nice choice of words.
We can all go into an upscale store and think about shoplifting.
To do it, would be an error in judgment.
But, it's an 'error in judgment' that most of us would not even consider.
So, it really isn't an error in judgment at all.
An error in judgment for us, would be in even the thought of taking that item.
The taking of the item is an error in character.

Like shoplifting, it is only an 'error in judgment' when caught. If not caught, the PEDS users and shoplifters go on their merry way, no worse for the wear. In fact, they may consider doing it again, and again, and again.
Until caught. And they explain 'it was an error in judgment'.
That's life, for somebody with an error in character.

Dan see the below...similar to what you are saying above. Not one will admit using. I guess I understand, but most fans will not, at least not yet. I have known for sometime the FEDS are coming after everyne involved. Arod had better be very careful, as he is at the top of thier list.


Antonio Bastardo:

Today, I was notified by Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and will not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made significant errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Phillies’ organization, Phillies’ fans and my family, and look forward to helping the Phillies win a championship in 2014.

Fautino De Los Santos:

I was notified by Major League Baseball that I am to be suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I willingly accept this suspension and will not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain unsound decisions during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those decisions. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Padres’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I look forward to helping the San Diego Padres in 2014.

Sergio Escalona:

I was notified by Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I will accept this suspension and not exercise my right under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I will make every attempt to regain the trust and respect of the Astros’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I am hopeful that I can make significant contributions to the Astros in the 2014 season.

Fernando Martinez:

I have been notified by Major League Baseball that I am to be suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I accept this suspension and will not exercise my right under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made a serious mistake during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for this mistake. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Yankees’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I am hopeful that I can make significant contributions to the Yankees in 2014.

Jesus Montero:

I have been notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain mistakes during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those mistakes. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mariners’ organization, Mariners’ fans and my family. I look forward to making significant contributions to the Mariners in 2014.

Cesar Puello:

Today, I was notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. Out of respect for the Mets’ organization, my teammates, and my family, I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain mistakes during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those mistakes. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mets’ organization, Mets’ fans and my family, and ultimately helping the club win a championship.

Jordany Valdespin:

I have been notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mets’ organization, Mets’ fans and my family, and look forward to contributing to the Mets in 2014

All these apologies/statements read exactly the same. Cookie-cutter.
Must have come from MLB execs.

[Outlaw]

As a Yankee fan, having Arod replace Jeter (DL) on the roster...does not seem right... If he somehow hits 13 HR's he gets another $$$6 million bonus... The Yankees should just suck it up $$$ and release him or send him to the minors.... A known cheater that now has the potential to knock teams out of the playoffs, god forbid his PEDS are still working.

I think MLB did mishandle (IMO) this (Arod suspension), allowing him to play for however many games he survives before being kicked to the curb. IMO everything MLB has done, the cheating players left them no choice and MLB did it all fairly and as responsiblely as it could be done. I think a lot has been accomplished, but the fight to end PEDS still has some work to be done and it appears MLB and the Clean players (union) are on the same page.

As someone said to me today, you Don't always fire the 1-2 bullets you have until absolutely necessary, in reference to "Best MLB bests interests of baseball powers" and MLB I think knows they may need them in the not too distant future. MLB is already planning to hire support staff that the Arbitrator says he will need to review the truckloads of evidence they have for Arods appeal, if it ever takes place. MLB lawsuit will continue for foreseeable future as will thier ongoing investigations.

A sad day for baseball, fans, sport and for fantasy owners who enjoy playing fantasy, especially in the best run Fantasy game bar none, the NFBC.

[Outlaw]

'Error in judgment'
Ha!
Nice choice of words.
We can all go into an upscale store and think about shoplifting.
To do it, would be an error in judgment.
But, it's an 'error in judgment' that most of us would not even consider.
So, it really isn't an error in judgment at all.
An error in judgment for us, would be in even the thought of taking that item.
The taking of the item is an error in character.

Like shoplifting, it is only an 'error in judgment' when caught. If not caught, the PEDS users and shoplifters go on their merry way, no worse for the wear. In fact, they may consider doing it again, and again, and again.
Until caught. And they explain 'it was an error in judgment'.
That's life, for somebody with an error in character.

Dan see the below...similar to what you are saying above. Not one will admit using. I guess I understand, but most fans will not, at least not yet. I have known for sometime the FEDS are coming after everyne involved. Arod had better be very careful, as he is at the top of thier list.


Antonio Bastardo:

Today, I was notified by Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and will not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made significant errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Phillies’ organization, Phillies’ fans and my family, and look forward to helping the Phillies win a championship in 2014.

Fautino De Los Santos:

I was notified by Major League Baseball that I am to be suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I willingly accept this suspension and will not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain unsound decisions during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those decisions. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Padres’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I look forward to helping the San Diego Padres in 2014.

Sergio Escalona:

I was notified by Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I will accept this suspension and not exercise my right under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I will make every attempt to regain the trust and respect of the Astros’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I am hopeful that I can make significant contributions to the Astros in the 2014 season.

Fernando Martinez:

I have been notified by Major League Baseball that I am to be suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I accept this suspension and will not exercise my right under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made a serious mistake during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for this mistake. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Yankees’ organization, their fans and most importantly, my family. I am hopeful that I can make significant contributions to the Yankees in 2014.

Jesus Montero:

I have been notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain mistakes during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those mistakes. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mariners’ organization, Mariners’ fans and my family. I look forward to making significant contributions to the Mariners in 2014.

Cesar Puello:

Today, I was notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. Out of respect for the Mets’ organization, my teammates, and my family, I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain mistakes during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those mistakes. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mets’ organization, Mets’ fans and my family, and ultimately helping the club win a championship.

Jordany Valdespin:

I have been notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. I made certain errors in judgment during the 2012 season and I accept full responsibility for those errors. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Mets’ organization, Mets’ fans and my family, and look forward to contributing to the Mets in 2014

All these apologies/statements read exactly the same. Cookie-cutter.
Must have come from MLB execs.

You are right Atlas, they all have the same legal firm.

[Outlaw]

all these guys are scumbags, but the bigger scumbags are probably the agents, owners, and GMs who knew damn well what was happening but never said a word because it would cost them money, prestige, and the chance to win.

maybe im on my own here but im sick and tired of all these million dollar athletes, owners, and gms who have brains the size of peanuts. i dont believe one word of any of those statements that outlaw posted. each one at the end should read, "i mean i just never thought I'd get caught." GM/Owner - "wow, we thought we had a good thing going but we never expected to get caught."

im done spending money on these guys. i love this game but dammit to all hell if nots getting ruined on a daily basis. the nfl and their rule changes along with their players characters are another laughing matter.

i remember just a few decades ago how huge of a sports fan i was.. now baseball is the last one i watch and its frankly becoming harder and harder to stomach. its also sad to see the similarities of our laughable gov't and this PED scandal. if a rat hadnt been caught who knows how much longer the wool would have been over our eyes.

Have to agree Swamp

I'm not here to gloat on what I thought this outcome would be when I first wrote about this PEDS mess, but its a sad day for Baseball, for sport and for all the damage PEDS/Drugs causes and human carnage it causes along the way. From the LL player who gets influenced, to the MLB star, NFL star, Track Star, etc... It's all just more proof the money can and does corrupt a lot of people. The issue of PEDS/Drugs is far from over in sport. There will be more headlines to chase, there will be more "shocked" fans, there will be more kids who will be affected and influenced.

Was it always like this? Who knows, but there is no denying that PEDS/Drugs does enhance athletic achievement, but there is also no doubt, it causes damage to a persons health, from heart issues, brittle bones later in life, to more aggressiveness, to impaired thinking and choices. Sport and society is rife with "bad" people, and more often than not, Drugs and alcohol are involved. It would take 2 days to document all the problems athletes have been involved in, in just the past year, in every sport. From Hernandez, to Cooper, to Arod, to Braun, to Tyson Gay, to Manziel, to hundreds of others. For the small pct. of athletes who make it to the highest levels of sports there sure is a lot of them who engage in conduct no normal person would engage in or parents would ever teach to their children. The shame of it all these days, we just do not know anymore who is clean, who is a good person in sports these days. We like to think Jeter is, Mo is, Roger Federer is, Tebow is, but do we really know?

Sport is microcosm of society, and society has a lot of issues it appears these days, from corrupt politicians, corrupt bankers, a jobless economy for millions of people, sex scandals involving our "leaders", lying athletes, lying politicians, cheating in sports, and on and on. Is it different from yester year, maybe not, but in my over 50 years in this country, it sure does feel different than my first 40 years. No one is perfect, but please... let anyone prove thier redemption, before blindly handing it back to them.

16 NFL players have been suspended for banned substances so far in 2013, And now almost 20 Baseball players. Mix in a few murders, numerous assaults on wives and ex-wives...and hundreds of other illegal crimes already this year by these so called star Atheletes in all of sport...Sad, Sad, Sad...

[knuckleheads]

I'm not here to gloat on what I thought this outcome would be when I first wrote about this PEDS mess...

Yes, you said:
Arod was getting banned for life,
Selig would invoke "best interest of baseball" powers,
20 players would be suspended, repeat offenders getting huge suspensions,
2 previously unknown players would be suspended that would shock everybody.

None of that happened, unless you call Antonio Bastardo's suspension shocking. What would you possibly gloat about?

[Outlaw]

I'm not here to gloat on what I thought this outcome would be when I first wrote about this PEDS mess...

Yes, you said:
Arod was getting banned for life,
Selig would invoke "best interest of baseball" powers,
20 players would be suspended, repeat offenders getting huge suspensions,
2 previously unknown players would be suspended that would shock everybody.

None of that happened, unless you call Antonio Bastardo's suspension shocking. What would you possibly gloat about?

What took you so long knucklehead? Like I said, there is Nothing to gloat about the stink of this sad day in sports and baseball, which was obvious to most astute people, months ago. If you wish to continue to defend the cheaters and drug users, go right ahead, that is your right, but its a view I don't share or respect and the majority feel that way too. You should channel whatever thoughts you have on the subject in a positive way, instead of worrying about what I write and "how wrong I supposedly am". Write something intelligent about what just happened and why and what the positive effects will be for all moving forward, if any of this concerns you at all. My overall view of the major issues on what would happen, why it happened and when it happened was correct. All I will say is it's not over by a long shot for the cheaters not suspended and drug users and PEDS suppliers and I'm confident in saying that.

[Rainiers]

I'm not sure this is a sad day. It could be a turning point day, which would make it ultimately a great day.

The beauty of today is that the clean players, who I think are still in the majority, seem to be the vocal ones. And they are singing the same tune. We need tougher penalties. We need them now. Cheaters are robbing from us, taking our jobs and eating away at available payroll.

Nothing could be hammering the point home more than Arod taking the field the same day he gets suspended for 211 games. There are a lot of angry players right now. I actually heard Dan Uggla mutter the "one and done" may be needed. This will ultimately lead to a cleaner game, if the players have truely and collectively come to their senses.

[Outlaw]

A few points coming out tonight. Eberth Cabrera was very emotional with his team and apologetic and crying when he addressed them. He also said why he used a banned substance and how he knew where to go get them. He said his agent and agents consultants told him where to go to get help and the PEDS when his shoulder was bothering in the spring of 2012. His agents are ACES. The Juan Carlos Oviedo character helped him, but his agents knew he said. His is the only apology that explained the details and MLB in fact posted it as a lead story on MLB.com tonight No other player’s weak apologies were mentioned.

MLB's statement announcing the suspensions did not detail Cabrera's specific infractions nor did it make any reference to Biogenesis, but Cabrera certainly did.
"I didn't search for this. ... It's something that was presented to me," Cabrera said. "Never in my life or baseball career did I ever consider taking these substances. Even when I went to Spring Training, I wasn't comfortable with what I was doing." He said he "got his peds shipped to him from Biogenesis"
He’s one of the ones who cooperated.

These agents are all under the gun and have been for some time. Best interests of the game are not in most of their vocabularies. Bests interests of their own $$ pockets most definately are.

Some of what I have come to know about the PEDS problem. MLB investigators have been working on the PEDS case surrounding anti-aging clinics, Biogenesis, BioKem for well over a year and have gathered massive amounts of evidence over that time, evidence that keeps opening other doors for them and others. The professional investigators came on board shortly after the Braun original suspension was overturned (spring 2012). MLB does/did have a small group of its own people who would look into possible wrongdoing, but this was over their expertise. MLB had names of possible players and clinics as early as 2010, from their small group of investigators and they quickly got more names of possible players involved when they brought in the more experienced investigators and were able to catch Colon, Melky and a few others last summer with actual failed tests, knowing they were probably using. That then led to ACES sports agency and another cache of possible players involved. Bosch got spooked in December when he heard about a possible investigation. He was supplying players with PEDS right up until that time. At that time Bosch decided to lay low and he told his "clients “of that, but he also quickly ran out of money and stopped paying employees and people he owed, including Porter Fisher. In January MLB's investigation, which had been going on for about 9 months already, had no intention of saying a thing until much later and until they had their cases made against all those involved. Had Porter Fischer not went to Miami New Times and given them what he had, which blew the whole PEDS issue right into the news cycle, it’s possible no one would've known anything until MLB announced it. Once it was out there, the news media ran with it and continues to run with it. Players, suppliers, employees, the Clinics, the suppliers like Bosch all clamed up. MLB had hit a brick wall with cooperation, which is what led to the lawsuit in March. MLB was and is going to catch anyone using PEDS, and would’ve done so with the Biogenesis portion, whether Fischser ever went to Miami New times or not.

MLB knew that ESPN investigative reporters; led by TJ Quinn, had first gotten wind of the potential PEDS scandal and a potential MLB investigation a few weeks after Melkys suspension and fake web site (August time frame). They were and still are camping out at various clinics taking pictures and video. However ESPN got one upped by Miami New Times and at that point they started reporting on what they knew and kept looking also. IMO ESPN, being a major partner with MLB for many years and for many more years going forward would not have broken the story until they informed MLB and it’s not a stretch to think MLB and ESPN would’ve agreed when to let the story out, but that all changed when Miami New Times broke the story. At that point MLB had to start acknowledging it and what they were doing about it. IMO ESPN and Quinn and his people did a good job and they definitely know a lot more that has not come out yet.
Just today I heard numerous reporters talking about other clinics and even Kay and Flash talked on tonight’s Yankee game about other clinics all over the country.

MLB is not finished with its Clinics/Biogenesis investigation or any parallel investigations it’s engaged in. Investigators from the league continue to look into the role sports agents and agencies may have played in connecting players with other clinics and South Florida based area clinics that are apparently some of the sources of PEDS and the illegal distribution points for PEDS to athletes and others.

In the last 2 weeks or so, there has been more made of a Toronto physician Anthony Galea that was associated with Arod and other athletes. Galea has said he treated A-Rod and other athletes like Tiger Woods, with a blood-spinning technique called platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), was indicted on five Federal drug-related distribution counts in October of 2010, but the U.S. government agreed to drop four of the charges if he complied with a plea agreement and cooperated with prosecutors pursuing other investigations. He pled guilty to one count of Federal drug distribution at the end of 2011. At this point the DEA/Feds were onto numerous suppliers bringing drugs into US based anti aging clinics thanks to Galea. I know that MLB has said publically they asked the Feds/DEA for help, but that is just what they had to say IMO. MLB never came out explicitly and said they were turned down; just that there was not much interest. That’s because Feds are all over this. Just like when Porter Fischer exposed the MLB investigation when he went to New Times, he sort of did the same thing when he went public last week asking where the Federal Gov’t and DEA is and within a day the Gov’t said they are looking into and have an investigation going on. There is no doubt MLB is and will be cooperating with the Gov’t and it will go where the evidence and those involved take it. Any player, MLB has not proved pof using PEDS yet will be playing in a different ballpark with the FEDs. They will ask the questions and if they grant you immunity you had better answer them truthfully. However an admission of using or buying PEDS to the FEDS will be turned over to MLB. So any athlete will have choice of picking their poison, cooperate with the Gov’t and/or not lying to a grand jury and let a sport like MLB deal with you in a non criminal way or risk getting charged by the Gov’t. They want the suppliers and possibly a few high profile athlete names and/or agents who were major users or even suppliers’ themselves to other athletes.

Time frame is anyone’s guess. The FEDs have been looking into these clinics for almost 1 ½ years now, but I do know they know a lot too. It took MLB almost 2 years from Braun’s failed test to get to his point today where quite a few players got suspended. As for additional MLB actions, again, anyone guess, but it may be predicated on law enforcement investigations at this point. MLB and Selig made the right decisons today and were fair to everyone IMO. They have had and have a lot to be concerned with, and it's been a fluid investigation with many moving parts and a lot of people inlovled over a very long time and its not over.

[Outlaw]

I'm not sure this is a sad day. It could be a turning point day, which would make it ultimately a great day.

The beauty of today is that the clean players, who I think are still in the majority, seem to be the vocal ones. And they are singing the same tune. We need tougher penalties. We need them now. Cheaters are robbing from us, taking our jobs and eating away at available payroll.

Nothing could be hammering the point home more than Arod taking the field the same day he gets suspended for 211 games. There are a lot of angry players right now. I actually heard Dan Uggla mutter the "one and done" may be needed. This will ultimately lead to a cleaner game, if the players have truely and collectively come to their senses.

Rainers- you said it a lot better than I did, accentuating the postive aspect of whats gone on.

[knuckleheads]

Two weeks ago, the head of the player's union, Michael Weiner, said that the union wouldn't protect players against overwhelming evidence. Selig's overreach on Arod was so severe that the union is now saying MLB is not following the CBA in ARod's case.

All MLB had to do was not overreach, and they could have claimed a grand victory. Now, they are in for a protracted battle which in the end seems likely to result in Arod's extended suspension being overturned or reduced significantly.

[Outlaw]

Two weeks ago, the head of the player's union, Michael Weiner, said that the union wouldn't protect players against overwhelming evidence. Selig's overreach on Arod was so severe that the union is now saying MLB is not following the CBA in ARod's case.

All MLB had to do was not overreach, and they could have claimed a grand victory. Now, they are in for a protracted battle which in the end seems likely to result in Arod's extended suspension being overturned or reduced significantly.

It's a fair point. There are some that feel MLB overreached. However, many more feel they didn't go far enough. Right up until the end, MLB considered giving Melky, Colon, Granadal, etc. 100 games for 2nd offenses and they did not, even though they had them buying PEDS after their actual tests, except for Grandal. They felt they could've suspended other players (on evidence that was subjective), but they did not. They considered suspending Arod for life right up to the end and also with the suspension they did give him, not allowing him to play pending his appeal and they did not. Arod and MLB talked right up until yesterday. 10 days ago he could've gotten a deal for right around 125 games. Instead he chose to drag MLB and the Yankees through the mud for almost 2 weeks. MLB had enough to get him for life. They chose what they felt was the best penalty that would hold up in arbitration, yet one that would send a message to anyone thinking of doing PEDS.

Arod probably still could've had a deal and I believe cut an even better deal, similar to Braun's, if he had acted in the Best interests of baseball himself throughout this, instead of the bests interest of Arod. Where he and his legal team went badly wrong in assessing things, is when he spoke last Friday and flat out accused MLB and the Yankees of Collusion, Conspiracy and Contract Fraud. His behavior the past 2 weeks was delusionnal, bizarre, strange and not indicative of a reasonable person who has done wrong and accepts the evidence is overwhelming and is willing to show remorse. One of very bad side affects of PEDS use, especially significant PEDS use over time, is this type of behavior. The Brain is fried like an egg with repeated use of PEDS and patterns of delusion emerge over time and happen with more frequency over time. He said it best yesterday, he feels like kid and he IMO he acts like a kid with problems.

MLB could have chosen to be far more aggressive and came down harder than they did, but they feel they have chosen the best course that demonstrated fairness and respect for the CBA and JDA, and that they have addressed a significant problem that they have been fighting for 2 decades. They got the Union to cooperate and help, they positioned it where the Clean players could now speak out freely without retribution from the Union "suits" and they got the fans fully on thier side. IMO they acted in the bests interests of baseball and with fairness, integrity and respect to everyone. Arod alone is the one who is choosing to drag baseball through the mud now. Many others chose not to and did the right thing.

Watching McGwire talk about it yesterday, you could see and hear the shame in his voice and knowing he will live the rest of his life with his cheating hanging over him.

Ryan Braun in many ways handled this the best. He approached MLB and said you got me, I was wrong, I lied and I want to come clean and take a punishment. He laid the path for the other players to follow, except for Arod and I believe overtime many people will view what he did as in the Best Interests of Baseball and not the best interests of Ryan Braun. It takes time for those suspended, for the fans and for anyone that cares to digest events like this. I'll say it again, Good for Ryan Braun for stepping up and accepting responsibility, in spite of the damage he caused prior. He deserves a second chance and he earned it.

I still think Arod cuts a deal sometime before arbitration, reality has to set in for him and his minions sooner or later. I can't beleive they really want to try and sit in a room with reams of evidence and witnesses and try defend it all.

[DOUGHBOYS]

My opinion is vastly different from yours, Mike.
ARod is not Grandal or Cruz or even Braun.
ARod is an island. No other player in baseball has the resources or the ego.
He saw Braun's first case. He saw OJ Simpson. He knows he has a chance.
A chance and lawyers, go a long way in getting what one wants. Especially if being somebody like ARod.
The reams of evidence mean little to him. He tried to buy evidence. I doubt any other player would even think of doing such a thing.
Arod would.

We can't think like ARod. None of us have gotten what we wanted our whole lives.
This was just another 'get' for ARod.
He's playing. Everybody else is suspended.
He didn't get a lifetime sentence, only this year and next year.
ARod won. Ask him.

I'm so disappointed with baseball that they didn't flex their muscles and give ARod a lifetime ban. A lifetime ban would have been the proper course of action. ARod recruited and tried to buy evidence. The question is no longer if he's guilty, but just how much harm he has spread.
A lifetime ban would have sent a message to every kid in America. To every parent in America who has kids and is trying to make them a better ball player.
Instead, they showed no balls.
No message was sent, except that some players got a 50 game penalty and ARod gets to play.
That is what every non-fan will get out of this story.
If ever a 'bests interests' of baseball existed for a player not to play in a game, it would be now.
Truly, this was an error in judgment.

The penalty falls right into ARod's realm. This year and next year.
But, the hell of it is...... HE DOES GET TO PLAY THIS YEAR!
STUPID MLB!
Having him on the field flies in the face of the very message MLB could have sent.
Alex got an F in Math, but he still gets to play in the big game.
Only bad parents allow that to happen.
ARod won. Ask him.

A lifetime ban would have been a deterrent for years. It could have sealed the beginning of the end of the steroid era. Instead, the offender is playing on the baseball field in front of fans who are all very sure of his guilt.
Major League Baseball dropped the ball in a big way.
They had their chance in opening the door to get steroids out of the game and blew it big time.
The small timers are claiming errors in judgment before slithering out of public view.
ARod is on the field.
ARod won. Ask him.

In interviews, he says that he'll 'go through the process'. He's not saying he's innocent.
Even he knows that would be a waste of time.
He's battling the process and so far, he is kicking processes ass.

Supposedly, he will go before an arbitration this off season. In doing so, he will have played in about 50 games he had no business playing in. At 38, that's a lot of free games.
ARod is playing these games at 38, instead of age 40.
ARod won. Ask him.

ARod still thinks he is leaving a legacy. His thinking is Bondsian. And like Bonds, he is at an age where playing games to add to his numbers and ego are what drive him. The money he makes along the way can go to Biogenesis and lawyers.
He doesn't care. He has plenty.
Yeah, supposedly he will go to arbitration, but most likely he won't.
Odds are, he will make a deal with MLB to cut his deal to just next years games.
He'll serve this year's time, on the field.
On the field!
ARod won.
And I don't even have to ask him.