Braun Suspended For Rest Of 2013 Season

[headhunters]

ya- I fall almost completely on doughs side here. it seems that either the union is still backing the roid guys and or bud just can't go all out. 2 very important things to know/watch. 1) from what I have read- even after his suspension and new contract melky continued to buy from biogeninsis- which tells me the users have zero fear of testing. 2) nelson cruz and next years contract. I assume it will be huge- so what, exactly, was accomplished. the "media"- rick suttcliff went on and on about how guys like wally joiner got screwed by all the 1st baseman using juice and how joiner was robbed. one problem- I read where wally admitted using peds. mike Lowell on mlb network contradicted himself in about 5 minutes last night, 1st by saying the bans were going to have an effect, then by saying it was "smart" to take the 50 games, admit "mistakes" and move on to get huge contracts. geez- I can take peds- get 50 games - and then make 50 million. 50 million! 99% of the human race takes that all day long- if they would admit it.

[Outlaw]

ya- I fall almost completely on doughs side here. it seems that either the union is still backing the roid guys and or bud just can't go all out. 2 very important things to know/watch. 1) from what I have read- even after his suspension and new contract melky continued to buy from biogeninsis- which tells me the users have zero fear of testing. 2) nelson cruz and next years contract. I assume it will be huge- so what, exactly, was accomplished. the "media"- rick suttcliff went on and on about how guys like wally joiner got screwed by all the 1st baseman using juice and how joiner was robbed. one problem- I read where wally admitted using peds. mike Lowell on mlb network contradicted himself in about 5 minutes last night, 1st by saying the bans were going to have an effect, then by saying it was "smart" to take the 50 games, admit "mistakes" and move on to get huge contracts. geez- I can take peds- get 50 games - and then make 50 million. 50 million! 99% of the human race takes that all day long- if they would admit it.

Hard to disagree with yours and Dan's opinions. They could have brought the hammer and did not. Someone told me this morning that Selig and Wiener both agreed yesterday to postpone Arod's appeal to Novemeber now. The JDA rules call for a hearing in 10 days and a decision with 25 days. Now it appears that will not happen. My guess as to why is, the the appeal gets heard, and the Arbitrator finds the suspension stands. That would've happened roughly around Labor day. Arod then probaly would attempt to file a Federal lawsuit, even though, there's no legal standing to do so, but MLB now would be dealing with that, having to decide if they let Arod continue to play, pending that resolution. Playoff races going on, playoffs starting and PEDS and Arod in front of everyone through it all. The issue MLB has is they are dealing with a flawed person, who has the money to just sling mud almost forever. He will spend millions and his minions will glady charge him millions to sling the mud.

No easy answer to the Arod question and he will prove to all eventually that he cares nothing about baseball and he will be proven to be a cheater, drug user, liar and a fraud.

[DOUGHBOYS]

No easy answer to the Arod question and he will prove to all eventually that he cares nothing about baseball and he will be proven to be a cheater, drug user, liar and a fraud.

I think most already see ARod as those things, Mike.
That's his doing.
No matter what he is or what he has done, he's playing baseball.
THAT is Major League Baseball's doing.

[Outlaw]

No easy answer to the Arod question and he will prove to all eventually that he cares nothing about baseball and he will be proven to be a cheater, drug user, liar and a fraud.

I think most already see ARod as those things, Mike.
That's his doing.
No matter what he is or what he has done, he's playing baseball.
THAT is Major League Baseball's doing.

Dan- I agree, may be the one possible misstep MLB has made allowing him to play. I have to suspect there is a lot more behind the decision, we just do not know it at this time. My guess has to do with legal and possible crimminal considerations. It's also a slap in the faces of the players who took thier punishment.

[Atlas]

And on top of all this hoopla and mayhem has anyone took a big step back and looked at this picture?

MLB and Bud are congratulating themselves on having the best anti-drug system in pro sports and that may well be, but....
all of these players got caught because of a whistle blower. A disgruntled employee. None failed a blood test!

Do you realize what that implies? That there are doping agents still available that the best anti drug program in sports could not detect.

Last year when the 3 amigos (Cabrera-Colon-Grandal) got busted, I had commented to a colleague that they couldn't have been so dopey to think they were going to get away with something doing it the same way that everyone else that got caught did. They must have found something else that they were assured was undetectable. And if they had it..you know others had to have been sold the same bill of goods. These 3 knuckleheads must have veered from the suggested use and did something wrong for it to have shown up.

Having said that, does anyone think Biogenesis is the only lab that has this technology? I bet not. Now the question the players have to ask is..."I've passed blood tests, but will I beat a paper trail."

[knuckleheads]

(ARod) tried to buy evidence. I doubt any other player would even think of doing such a thing.
Arod would.

MLB bought evidence. They would think of doing such a thing.

[DOUGHBOYS]

(ARod) tried to buy evidence. I doubt any other player would even think of doing such a thing.
Arod would.

MLB bought evidence. They would think of doing such a thing.

Companies and businesses have more latitude in trying to buy documents. Especially if the use is to further evidence in dealing with a bad employee.

ARod was buying evidence to cover being nefarious and hide transgressions.
Do you think that is ok?
Yeah, me neither.

[Outlaw]

And on top of all this hoopla and mayhem has anyone took a big step back and looked at this picture?

MLB and Bud are congratulating themselves on having the best anti-drug system in pro sports and that may well be, but....
all of these players got caught because of a whistle blower. A disgruntled employee. None failed a blood test!

Do you realize what that implies? That there are doping agents still available that the best anti drug program in sports could not detect.

Last year when the 3 amigos (Cabrera-Colon-Grandal) got busted, I had commented to a colleague that they couldn't have been so dopey to think they were going to get away with something doing it the same way that everyone else that got caught did. They must have found something else that they were assured was undetectable. And if they had it..you know others had to have been sold the same bill of goods. These 3 knuckleheads must have veered from the suggested use and did something wrong for it to have shown up.

Having said that, does anyone think Biogenesis is the only lab that has this technology? I bet not. Now the question the players have to ask is..."I've passed blood tests, but will I beat a paper trail."

Atlas- good points. They only caught the 3 amigos, because they had their names and highly suspected they were using. It was chance luck when they actually did the tests on them, combined with some more frequent testing on the players they suspected. The problem MLB or any sport has now with testing is that the PEDS have advanced to where they are out fo your system within 72 hrs or so and as little as 4 hrs. That is why Braun was so pissed when they tested him, he knew he was bagged. The effects and help they offer though can last for sometime. The only way they can attempt to prove a failed test now with these latest drugs, is measuring hormone levels, testosterone levels, etc. MLB, along with Union agreement instituted beefed up its drug testing program in 2013, implementing in-season blood tests to detect human growth hormone, and creating a longitudinal profile program, in which a player’s Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio and other medical data will be maintained in a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory. The Players Association and MLB announced the new program in January of this year. This establishes baselines, that are known to be highly accurate for long periods of time in catching users. Significant deviations from those baselines are accepted by the medical community as indicating PEDS use. If using PEDS, the normal testing and such may not identify the actual types of PEDS or ingredients, but the elevated (out of baseline) results will be present for some time after the actual use of the PEDS. Once those are complete, MLB and any sports stand a much better chance of catching any athlete using PEDS/cheating. Now that's not to say, the medical advances like gene manipulation and such bring a whole new set of problems. But WADA can catch anyone these days that uses/cheats with what is known medically these days. The players know this now. So although, many players got around testing the past 3-4 years, its getting real dicey now whether they will be able too in the future.The baselines for all players are still being documented by WADA and testing company as of today. Additionally in 2013, players’ urine samples will be automatically subjected to sophisticated Carbon Isotope Ratio (CIR) testing if a specimen does vary materially from a player’s baseline values.

Statements from Wiener in January:
CIR testing will not only be implemented whenever there is a change in a player’s profile, Weiner said, but it may also be used if Christiane Ayotte, the head of the Montreal lab that oversees the drug program, feels it is appropriate.

“Christiane is free to employ the more sophisticated testing any time she believes it is useful,” Weiner said.

Now I'm not an expert on PEDS, but there is enough out there to understand at least what WADA, MLB and sports is trying to do. These suspensions also set the precedent, they do not need a single failed test to discipline, they can and will use corroborating evidence of use, purchase, distribution, regardless of the lack of a failed piss or blood test. That alone is a huge victory for MLB and sport. It's the same way Armstrong was found to have used PEDS and ultimately admitted to doing so for almost 15 years. MLB and the Union in both 2012 and 2013 both agreed to changes and enhancements to the JDA in anticipation of the points you made. The changes were made because MLB's investigation was coming up with these issues of catching a player on failed test,. The whole thing has been a very methodical strategy by MLB and the union over the past 2-3 years.

I'll say it again, it was just not Biogenesis, Tony B, Porter Fischer; MLB was well on its way to catching these players long before Fischer went public. All Fischer did was break the news and push up MLB's timeline and strategy. They would've gotten to Bosch and Fischer eventually, but when they had more evidence against them. All those characters have done is confirm all the verified evidence and where to look for more.

You are right on other clinics, Labs, suppliers - they are all over and they are supplying sports athletes all over, including baseball players and MLB knows a lot of them.

I also recently heard that in regards to the Evidence MLB has against Arod, that some of the detail has been physically repulsive (sickening) to those that have seen it. That type of opinion/reaction lends itself to many things and it lends some credence to what MLB has been saying about the amount and type of evidence MLB has on Arod and even possibly others. My first thought when I heard it, was distribution to minors and other non baseball people? I might be totally wrong on that opinion, but what would make people feel that sick over evidence? I still feel there is lot more going with Arod and MLB that we do not know and quite frankly MLB may be looking for Arod to bring himself down criminally.

[Outlaw]

(ARod) tried to buy evidence. I doubt any other player would even think of doing such a thing.
Arod would.

MLB bought evidence. They would think of doing such a thing.

Companies and businesses have more latitude in trying to buy documents. Especially if the use is to further evidence in dealing with a bad employee.

ARod was buying evidence to cover being nefarious and hide transgressions.
Do you think that is ok?
Yeah, me neither.

To add to Dan's point, when you enter the underbelly of society, which the players chose to do, sometimes its necessary to work with the same seedy characters to catch them. 80% of people sitting in jail are the because others of their ilk turned on them and cooperated. Deals are cut all the time. I'll say it again, MLB legally obtained all of its evidence through it's investigations prior to this going public, from cooperating people who are decent people and through evidence obtained through it's legal lawsuit.

Arod trying to hide evidence, buy evidence, to protect himself from a legal investigation, well that is known as obstruction of justice and Arod materially interfered with MLB's lawsuit, another thing MLB to this point has not gone after him civilly or criminally. Arod has numerous exposures both civilly and criminally if all the evidence MLB has is true, which you would have to be a complete ignoramus to not believe its not true.

[knuckleheads]

I also recently heard that in regards to the Evidence MLB has against Arod, that some of the detail has been physically repulsive (sickening) to those that have seen it. That type of opinion/reaction lends itself to many things and it lends some credence to what MLB has been saying about the amount and type of evidence MLB has on Arod and even possibly others. My first thought when I heard it, was distribution to minors and other non baseball people? I might be totally wrong on that opinion, but what would make people feel that sick over evidence?

Reckless speculation on your part, Outlaw. Given how often you have been wrong over the past two months, perhaps you should stop listening to your sources...

[knuckleheads]

ARod was buying evidence to cover being nefarious and hide transgressions.
Do you think that is ok?
Yeah, me neither.

To begin with, you are speculating based on rumors.

Porter Fischer has said he was offered money by MLB for documents he stole. --That's my source, the guy MLB tried to pay off.

Now you name your source...I hope it's not Outlaw because he just posted that he thinks Arod distributed PEDs to minors and that MLB did not take that information directly to law enforcement. His credibility is slipping farther by the day.

I don't think anybody should be buying documents. It calls into question their integrity.

[Outlaw]

I also recently heard that in regards to the Evidence MLB has against Arod, that some of the detail has been physically repulsive (sickening) to those that have seen it. That type of opinion/reaction lends itself to many things and it lends some credence to what MLB has been saying about the amount and type of evidence MLB has on Arod and even possibly others. My first thought when I heard it, was distribution to minors and other non baseball people? I might be totally wrong on that opinion, but what would make people feel that sick over evidence?

Reckless speculation on your part, Outlaw. Given how often you have been wrong over the past two months, perhaps you should stop listening to your sources...

Really Knucklehad... well that is your opinion... those were my opinions, I did not say they were fact. I'm fine with understanding the big issues and how they played out. I took time to follow the story because I do care about baseball. I've met many in life who masquerade as Monday morning QB's, you are no different, so please keep espousing saying how "I", little old fantasy player and baseball fan got the timeline wrong... and I'll keep reminding you not read this stuff since it bothers you so much.

[knuckleheads]

I also recently heard that in regards to the Evidence MLB has against Arod, that some of the detail has been physically repulsive (sickening) to those that have seen it. That type of opinion/reaction lends itself to many things and it lends some credence to what MLB has been saying about the amount and type of evidence MLB has on Arod and even possibly others. My first thought when I heard it, was distribution to minors and other non baseball people? I might be totally wrong on that opinion, but what would make people feel that sick over evidence?

Reckless speculation on your part, Outlaw. Given how often you have been wrong over the past two months, perhaps you should stop listening to your sources...

Really Knucklehad... well that is your opinion... those were my opinions, I did not say they were fact. I'm fine with understanding the big issues and how they played out. I took time to follow the story because I do care about baseball. I've met many in life who masquerade as Monday morning QB's, you are no different, so please keep espousing saying how "I", little old fantasy player and baseball fan got the timeline wrong... and I'll keep reminding you not read this stuff since it bothers you so much.

Outlaw, if you don't want your rantings critiqued, write them in a notebook rather than a discussion board.

[Outlaw]

ARod was buying evidence to cover being nefarious and hide transgressions.
Do you think that is ok?
Yeah, me neither.

To begin with, you are speculating based on rumors.

Porter Fischer has said he was offered money by MLB for documents he stole. --That's my source, the guy MLB tried to pay off.

Now you name your source...I hope it's not Outlaw because he just posted that he thinks Arod distributed PEDs to minors and that MLB did not take that information directly to law enforcement. His credibility is slipping farther by the day.

I don't think anybody should be buying documents. It calls into question their integrity.

Knucklehead you see what you want and ignore what's obvious. It's obvious You're not a Fan of MLB, cause all you see is that they cuased these players to cheat and that MLB is wrong. Kids are involved it appears, how and why, who knows, but the FEDS are onto it. When I hear someone say that what they have seen is repulsive it usually makes me think of kids or devious doings. So we are clear also, I'll State 100% MLB has worked with law enforenmcnt and I will not tell you or anyone my source on how i know that!!!!!!!!!!!! Arod is known multi time drug user and liar, those are the facts, and he has the balls to do it in national TV. Open your eyes on who you choose to defend.

[Outlaw]

quote]

Really Knucklehad... well that is your opinion... those were my opinions, I did not say they were fact. I'm fine with understanding the big issues and how they played out. I took time to follow the story because I do care about baseball. I've met many in life who masquerade as Monday morning QB's, you are no different, so please keep espousing saying how "I", little old fantasy player and baseball fan got the timeline wrong... and I'll keep reminding you not read this stuff since it bothers you so much.

Outlaw, if you don't want your rantings critiqued, write them in a notebook rather than a discussion board.[/quote]

I'll contuninue to write what I want, and I think I'll take the adivce others have said to me privately and that is, to ignore your comments and you can keep posting what you wish.

[Outlaw]

The ugly side of Biogenesis and just part of the fallout... and why what MLB and the clean players are doing what they are doing... Tony B and his clinic do not exist without the big money from players like Arod and all the other PRO atheletes involved. He was getting paid 10x the going rate by the Pro athletes. MLB players not dropping into the gutter, please, Even Clemens wife admitted Rogers trainer (PED supplier) injected her with HGH, and she did so in federal court under oath, but Roger never did it himself- hmmmm. No wonder he never took the stand.

Steroid tests urged for Florida high school athletes
By Manny Navarro The Miami Herald
After learning that high school athletes were linked to the Biogenesis clinic that supplied PEDs, the FHSAA is urging schools to conduct tests.

Peddling PEDs to kids: the other Biogenesis scandal By Manny Navarro

Spurred by reports in the past week that a now-defunct anti-aging clinic supplied performance-enhancing drugs to high school athletes as well as pro ballplayers, the Florida High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday it will push to create a tougher policy against steroids to be enforced by individual school districts.
“We believe we must draw a line in the sand against performance-enhancing drugs,” FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing said on a conference call with the news media. “It’s the elephant in the room that all of us have known has existed for some time, but we may not have been as vigilant as we should have been.
“School districts simply cannot tolerate coaches who encourage or look the other way when they know student-athletes are using performance-enhancing drugs. Therefore these coaches should not be allowed by their school district policies to influence and coach these students in the future. It’s more about safeguarding fair play and saving students’ lives.”

The association’s 16-member medical advisory committee will be tasked with devising the policy.

The Miami Herald has seen a partial list of high school clients of Biogenesis, the clinic that supplied PEDs o professional ballplayers, including Alex Rodriguez. On the list, from October 2011, are two current high school seniors and five athletes who are now in college but who attended Miami-Dade or Broward schools.

Although the Legislature passed a steroid testing pilot program in 2007-2008 (it produced one positive test out of 600 random exams across five sports and 53 schools), the FHSAA itself doesn’t have the authority to test for performance-enhancing drugs. But Dearing said individual schools and districts can and should implement testing as a deterrent and believes there are ways financially to figure it out.
The FHSAA had 283,000 student-athletes participate in high school sports last year. At $150 per test, comprehensive steroid testing statewide would cost $42 million, Dearing said.

“There’s no way we can test every child, but we can certainly ask each school district if they can test those students who were under suspicion of using PEDs and also to develop stronger policies … and punish the adults who allow this,” Dearing said.
The FHSAA’s medical advisory committee is expected to begin work on the new stand-alone policies for school districts and private schools to eventually adopt when they meet at the end of the month.

“I believe what Dr. Dearing said of at least putting the pressure on the athletes of knowing testing is out there is a good deterrent,” said Dr. Jennifer Roth Maynard, an assistant professor of family and sports medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and member of the FHSAA’s advisory committee.

“I think following along with professional testing policies [and] NCAA testing policies, if we can somehow create a policy of our own that reflects and mirrors those, it is a good deterrent. I think education even more than testing is more applicable,” she said.
Dearing said he understands budgets are tight, but believes businesses can step forward and provide funding. Dearing cited how when he was the superintendent in Indian River County, the local Kiwanis Club helped provide funds for random drug testing at a local high school.

“I don’t think we need to turn to the state Legislature for the funding or ask school districts to stretch resources that are already stretched,” Dearing said. “I think there are so many people that already provide financial resources to athletic programs.
He cited, for example, the company that provides athletic tape for the state of Florida, a highly lucrative contract.
Ultimately, said State Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat and former president of FHSAA, education is the best remedy to “address this issue with vigor.”
“I have confidence in our young people and our parents [that] if we really do a good job educating them and reaching out to them, making sure they understand the impact of PED use — I think it’s enough to scare anybody,” Montford said. “I think school districts will embrace that and join hands with the FHSAA and particularly the sports advisory committee in making sure everybody knows exactly what the down side to this is.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/06/3 ... rylink=cpy

[DOUGHBOYS]

To begin with, you are speculating based on rumors.
Porter Fischer has said he was offered money by MLB for documents he stole. --That's my source, the guy MLB tried to pay off.
Now you name your source...I hope it's not Outlaw because he just posted that he thinks Arod distributed PEDs to minors and that MLB did not take that information directly to law enforcement. His credibility is slipping farther by the day.
I don't think anybody should be buying documents. It calls into question their integrity.

If I had a source it would probably be the duck litmus test.
If it walks, talks, and acts like a duck, it's more likely a duck.
Alex Rodriguez actually does run a little like a duck, sorry, that is my darn speculation.

In using the same test, you would see something that walks, talks, and acts like a duck, and blame Major League Baseball for it.

[knuckleheads]

In using the same test, you would see something that walks, talks, and acts like a duck, and blame Major League Baseball for it.

Fair enough. It would be hard for me to argue with that on this thread. That being said, do you think this agonizingly slow leaking of information on the Biogenesis case has been in any way professional? Do you not think that any investigative body, if it wants to be taken seriously, must be beyond reproach?

Filing and canceling lawsuits against the people you are harassing for information does not meet that standard.

By your duck scale, Dan, if all reports are that Selig is trying to salvage his legacy, and his actions seem overzealous, petty, and self-serving, rather than planned, disciplined and wise, then perhaps this is not about taking the best approach to clean up the game and it is more about Selig trying to whitewash his legacy.

[Rainiers]

A while back, MLB had a widespread problem with players' behavior. No urine test could detect it. No blood test could find it. No scientific laboratory, not even the finest in the land, with the most elaborate devises, could sense it.

Despite this, MLB was able to fix it.

The answer? Zero tolerance. You misbehave, you are done. Finished. Completely. FOREVER. Period.

The problem? Gambling.

The same thing might work with PEDs. If MLB, and, more importantly, the player's union, give it a chance. The good news is that the players are understanding that the current punishments are insufficient. They will not go to one-and-done right away, but maybe someday. We can only hope. And, at least, we are headed in that direction. And some players are at least considering the only punishment that has a chance of working...immediate and permanent banishment.

[Outlaw]

A while back, MLB had a widespread problem with players' behavior. No urine test could detect it. No blood test could find it. No scientific laboratory, not even the finest in the land, with the most elaborate devises, could sense it.

Despite this, MLB was able to fix it.

The answer? Zero tolerance. You misbehave, you are done. Finished. Completely. FOREVER. Period.

The problem? Gambling.

The same thing might work with PEDs. If MLB, and, more importantly, the player's union, give it a chance. The good news is that the players are understanding that the current punishments are insufficient. They will not go to one-and-done right away, but maybe someday. We can only hope. And, at least, we are headed in that direction. And some players are at least considering the only punishment that has a chance of working...immediate and permanent banishment.

Rainers- you are exactly right. There are plenty of advocates among the players and Teams for 1 and done. the Gambling issues in baseball took 40 years to solve. They tried every thing until Landis had enough. It was rampant in baseball and became part of the culture. After Landis decision its virtually eliminated. However I do not think MLB is there with the Drug problem. It's a lot more complicated just from a Medical point of view. If they have another Biogenesis or Balco 5 years from now, that will be the time it probably happens.

What I think happens this winter between MLB and the Union will be the following and these are ideas the players are floating now:

1. 100 Games first offense - pretty much a given
2. lifetime ban 2nd offense or 2 seasons possibly.
3. Tighter Arbitration rules
4. Rules mandating player cooperation in any MLB investigation with penalties for not cooperating
5. Language to deal with "leaks" and monetary penalties for leaking, including players
6. Possible termination of contracts for suspension. This will happen if majority of players push it. I think it will take another round of suspensions to get this one done.

[Rog]

Not to change topic just wanted to mention something a friend had mentioned to me the other day. While playing ball at the fields the topic of steroids came up. I graduated in 89 the guy I was talking to sometime in the mid 90's. We were talking about high school baseball and our schools were very good during them years, some state champs and a few runner up's. After a few minutes of talking he (who played for the other school) looked at me and said our entire high school team and then he laughed and said at least half of us were all on roids. I was little taken back and had nothing to say but oh. Who knows what is true and what isnt but it does make you wonder.
sorry
now back to the Arod thing

[Outlaw]

Re: Braun PEDS again??
by Outlaw » Wed Feb 06, 2013 2:19 pm

Hmmm, I thought they still got paid.
Where does that money go then?
Hidden payroll for the offending players team?

The point being that it is R&R for the player.
There is no loyalty ties to a team any more. Players have to be hurt by taking steroids, not their team as with present rules.
I heard a suggestion today where one violation would put a player back to first year of arbitration status. Having to wait another forced 3-4 years for free agency.
Second violation, banished.
Now, that is a little harsh, but it's the right train of thought. The penalty has to hurt the offender, not amuse him.

Dough For Commish!

This whole PEDS mess is disgusting... this latest incident has trails all over the place, most of which MLB and the FEDS have known about for quite some time. Check out the characters who run ACES player agency and the stuff MLB has been investigating them on...and their ties to the names released so far. If someone wants to know what players might be coming next, look at thier player client list. They represent approx. 105 mostly MLB players....it's amazing how many of them have had injuries too... and almost all the names released or that have tested positive are represented by them....[/quote]

===================================
Aug 7,2013
This is pretty long read, so for those not interested, just ignore it.

MLB's investigators are now focusing on another one of MLB's parallel investigations, besides other clinics, that being player agents and agencies that they feel could be involved in PEDS distribution to athletes and baseball players. As I have been saying for months MLB has been working with Federal and State government agencies for quite some time. Various Gov’t agencies, including the FDA, DEA and others have been involved. Juan Carlos Nunez (ex employee/limited player agent of ACES) is one of the defendants MLB filed suit against in their Biogenesis lawsuit. The other day, after ignoring a subpoena to testify from MLB, the Judge in the case issued a compel order to do so. Now it appears that ACES seems to be publically throwing him under the bus the past 2 days, but it appears he could start cooperating shortly. It’s not only MLB, but the FEDS may be getting ready to subpoena him also. Federal and MLB investigators believe Nunez has plenty of information on other players and suppliers involved. His attorney, Ed Swanson, has not permitted Nunez to speak to MLB to date, but that may be about to change shortly.

08/05/2013
AMENDED COMPLAINT - enhancement of lawsuit.
08/05/2013
NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION - witness
08/02/2013
ORDER ON MOTION TO COMPEL - witness
08/02/2013
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION - Evidence
08/02/2013
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION - Evidence
08/01/2013
REQUEST FOR HEARING - MLB
08/01/2013
MOTION TO COMPEL -Witness

MLB and its investigators started turning over information to the FEDS last summer after the Melky suspension. What they didn’t know was that FEDS were already on to the clinics, suppliers, Biogenesis, Agents, athletes and that was a result of their plea agreement with Anthony Galea from Canada on his PEDS distribution he was involved with in the US. Last summer, the Federal government, led by former BALCO investigator Jeff Novitzky, was working with MLB on a separate probe (Biogenesis and other clinics) to determine the source of testosterone acquired by Cabrera, a client of ACES. Federal agents are all over numerous entities and people involved in PEDS distribution all over the country and in numerous sports.

I have said many times, there is a lot more to this story, and Biogenesis may have been just the beginning. MLB and Selig know a lot more on what is going on and that’s why I don’t believe it’s fair to judge them, just on how they handled Biogenesis and the players involved, but that’s just my opinion. As with anything as tawdry, disgusting and illegal as Drug/PEDS use and distribution is, something that could be as large as this may become, requires long, methodical and sophisticated investigations by multiple entities. MLB is doing their part it appears.

A little on the ACES : In November 2012 the Union, after conducting their own investigation into ACES, cleared them of the more serious allegation of perpetrating or aiding the fraudulent scheme to cast doubt on ACES client Melky Cabrera's failed drug test. The Unions discipline to ACES was in the form of a "Censure", which I have no idea what means. The union officially accepted the explanation by ACES chiefs Seth and Sam Levinson that their rogue worker Juan Nunez paid for and engineered the internet scheme intended to show Cabrera accidentally acquired a tainted substance.

MLB contested the veracity of the investigation conducted by the Union, but the union said agent behavior comes under their purview alone. MLB disagreed and they obviously disagree now. As for the Union investigators, they appear to be nothing more than a bunch of clerks and administrators. In effect, it’s not unreasonable to conclude the foxes are watching out for the hens, and the players have no clue. I’m not saying the union leadership is complicit, but they fought PED/Drug testing for 20 years, until Mike Wiener came on board and has attempted to make significant changes. The union had no idea what was going on regarding Biogenesis and other clinics until Miami New times broke the story, at least not the depth and what MLB was up to. Since then, they have been cooperating with MLB and what MLB shares with them, on almost everything. In fact just yesterday, Mike Wiener said he urged Arod to make a deal.

Melky Cabrera was banned 50 games for failing a test for synthetic testosterone after a case to nullify the banned test was made by the union at the behest of the Levinsons, who claimed then that Cabrera accidentally acquired the banned substance after answering an internet ad for a supplement. The Levinsons have since claimed that they were merely taking the word of Nunez, a longtime employee or contractor. I guess they never asked Melky? Lol… Nunez testified he perpetrated the hoax on his own, not at the behest of the Levinsons, who declined to call Nunez an employee even though he has worked closely with the Levinsons for years and is responsible for funneling many millions of dollars to them in the form of major-league clients over many years.

In September of 2012 former ACES client Paul Loduca was interviewed by MLB investigators and told them that the agency and its heads, Seth and Sam Levinson, introduced him to Kirk Radomski. Loduca has admitted in the past to distributing PEDS to many players, a lot on the Dodgers. Loduca has provided all sorts of records, documents, phone records and checks and sworn statements.

This was from a Sept 2012 story. “Baseball is pissed off beyond belief,” Radomski said. “These new (MLB investigators) are working with the government. It’s not like the old regime. Before, the government never wanted me to talk to anybody in baseball. They didn’t trust them.” “I don’t want to be in it, but I’ve been pushed into it. Baseball used to hate me. They’re playing nice with me now. They really need my help” “I’m telling the truth and have sworn testimony,” Radomski says. “I remember for so long, I would say, ‘Who benefits as much as the players?’ It wasn’t me. It was the agents. I wasn’t making money off it.”
Radomski informed MLB's investigators he had a 10-year working relationship with the Levinsons, providing PEDs to their players they represented.

I have heard He has provided documents, checks, records and more.

Radomski secretly met with Major League Baseball investigators in Sept of 2012 —including Dan Halem, senior vice president and general counsel-labor, and George Hanna, vice president of department of investigations—to detail his previous relationship with player agents Sam and Seth Levinson of ACES Inc., and their role in making steroids and performance-enhancing drugs available to clients, according to an official with knowledge of the investigation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.

Radomski says “the PEDS still exist, and he believes there are plenty of players using performance-enhancing drugs despite MLB imposing stronger drug policies over the years. He can even pick them out. He sees the taut sinews in their necks. The skin texture. The spike in performance as the season endures.” David Segui has said that “now that this has become a full-bore fire again, MLB is trying to get to the bottom of it”. “Why didn’t they care before? Radominski has something they need now.”

Radomiski’s plea agreement with the Gov’t was that he would cooperate in any future investigations the Gov’t pursued involving PEDS.

Players who terminated their relationship with ACES right after (2012) Melky and Colon got suspended are :
Everth Cabrera, Fernando Rodney, Johnny Gomes, Shane Victornio, Nyger Morgan and recently Nelson Cruz.
I’m hearing that certain players did not bolt ACES last fall, as to not appear to be suspect in anything. I’m also hearing that almost all players currently working with them are looking to leave. Many players are contacting other agents this week. The problem any player has, is determining who are the “Clean” agents/agencies, because there are other agents/agencies possibly involved and it’s not that hard to surmise who some could be.

Players currently signed with ACES are: I’m not making any inference to any others players being involved in PEDS use, other than the ones who just got suspended. People can draw their own conclusions If they choose to. I have mine.

Mike Adams
Jonathan Albaladejo
Chris Anderson
Burke Badenhop
Grant Balfour
Antonio Bastardo -Suspended
Joaquin Benoit
Shawn Bowman
Milton Bradley
Russell Branyan
John Buck
Marlon Byrd - suspended
Melky Cabrera – suspended
Miguel Cairo
Carter Capps
Adam Carr
Carlos Carrasco
Santiago Casilla
Luis Castillo
Fabio Castro
Brett Cecil
Randy Choate
Alex Cobb
Allen Craig
Rhiner Cruz
Fautino De Los Santos -suspended
David DeJesus
Travis Demerritte
Danny Duffy
A.J. Ellis
Brad Emaus
Nate Eovaldi
Sergio Escalona - suspended
Jeurys Familia
Pedro Feliz
Chone Figgins
Nelson Figueroa
Wilmer Flores
Logan Forsythe
Clint Frazier
Ross Gload
Gio Gonzalez
Larry Greene
Aaron Harang
Matt Harrison
Rich Hill
Raul Ibanez
Brandon Inge
John Jaso
Matt Joyce
Joe Kelly
Josh Kinney
George Kontos
Juan Lagares
Ryan Langerhans
Brandon League
Jon Lester
Josh Lindblom
Jon Link
Jeff Locke
Julio Lugo
Matt Maloney
Jason Marquis
Damaso Marte
Fernando Martinez - suspended
Vin Mazzaro
Dustin McGowan
Melky Mesa
Jose Molina
Jesus Montero - suspended
Mike Morse
Jason Motte
Daniel Murphy
Matt Murton
Hector Noesi
Gustavo Nunez
Ricky Orta
Adam Ottavino
Jonathan Papelbon
Bobby Parnell
Brad Peacock
Dustin Pedroia
Jhonny Peralta -suspended
Brandon Phillips
Placido Polanco
Jorge Posada
Cesar Puello -suspended
Josh Reddick
Nolan Reimold
Amaury Rivas
Clint Robinson
Armando Rodriguez
Scott Rolen
Ramon Santiago
Scott Sizemore
Clayton Tanner
Blake Tekotte
Andres Torres
Jordany Valdespin -suspended
Esmerling Vasquez
Javier Vazquez
Randy Wells
Ty Wigginton
Justin Wilson
David Wright
Mike Wright

[Outlaw]

A little more on Galea and some of the other things going on regarding PEDS in baseball and sports.

Galea traveled to the follwing US cities more than 70 different times between 2007 and 2010 where he delivered and administered PEDS to athletes and clinics -Cleveland, New York City, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., Denver, San Francisco, San Diego, and Phoenix. He would meet players at thier hotels and homes also. He and a woman partner who was also convicted, delivered HGH, nutropin (a form of HGH), and actovegin (a derivative of calf’s blood) and other un-approved drugs into the United States from Canada. He was indicted on 5 counts, including performing medical services upon more than twenty professional athletes, even though he did not have a license to practice medicine in the US and a variety of federal offenses, including smuggling misbranded and un-approved drugs into the United States for the purpose of treating professional athletes, conspiracy, fraud, and making false statements to officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FDA and others in order to avoid detection and to sneak the substances into the country. He eventually was convicted of 1 count of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce for the purpose of treating professional athletes, fined $275,000.00 and agreed to cooperate in other ongoing investigations with various Federal law enforcement agencies, to avoid a 5 year jail sentence and have 4 counts dismissed.

Galea's medical assistant/partner, Mary Anne Catalano, who also pled guilty, told U.S. and Canadian investigators that Galea injected drug cocktails containing human growth hormone (HGH), a performance-enhancing drug banned by nearly every sports organization in the world, into the injured knees of some athletes. He would usually get $3500.00 for a HGH treatment.

Galea, who says he's a healing specialist- LoL... has been publicly associated in the past decade with dozens of professional athletes, including NHL players Tie Domi, Adam Foote, Jason Spezzi, Gary Roberts and Steve Moore; Canadian track and field stars Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin, Perdita Felicien, Mark McKoy, Desai Williams and Mark Boswell; NFL players Javon Walker, Ricky Williams, Takeo Spikes and Chris Simms; MLB players Huston Street, John Patterson, Carlos Beltrán, José Reyes, Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Delgado; and Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, Tiger woods and many others.

Reyes and Beltran and others have previously acknowledged they have spoken with the FEDS regarding thier knowledge. MLB has been chomping at the bit to get the Galea court records unsealed and its only a matter of time before they are.

High Level Timeline- missing numerous other facts.

2009 - Ramirez link to Biogenesis, clinics and the Bosch's made aware of to MLB
2010- MLB starts investigating with in house investigators
2011- Feds and MLB aware
2011- OCT - Braun Tests positive
2011 - Braun test becomes public
2011- End of December Galea pleads guilty and agrees to cooperate with numerous Federal investigations they have underway
2012- Jan MLB revises JDA
2012 - FEB - Braun suspension overturned
2012 - Spring- MLB steps up investigation
2012- Summer MLB players suspended- Melky, Byrd, Colon, etc.. ESPN investigating
2012 - Summer- MLB hires professional investigation firm - Biogenesis starts in earnest
2012 - Fall MLB investigation ramps up even more- Biogenesis, ACES, others, Grandal suspended
2013 - Jan- MLB and union again revises JDA
2013 - End of Jan Miami New Times breaks PED scandal involving sports athletes and Biogenesis.
2013 - Beginning FEB, ESPN and NY Daily news break news on investigations they were conducting, Miami New times continues to release information
2013 - Early March- MLB files lawsuit in Florida
2013 - Investigations by all different parties continuing through spring and summer
2013 - August 5 suspensions announced, investigations continue

All along the FEDS have had their investigations ongoing in numerous aspects of PED distribution and use. DEA, FDA, and also the FBI. Its my understanding that the FBI is heavily involved.

MLB is concerned about a widespread ring thought to be supplying synthetic testosterone, human growth hormone and other drugs to players who have sought to circumvent MLB’s collectively bargained drug-testing program. Just a few of the other clinics are Nutradoc, Inc.; Med Management Consultants, Inc.; Body Chemistry LLC; and V.I.P. Med, Inc, some of which Bosch is or was involved in.

Arod had better be very careful, it would be tragic for him if he loses his appeal and upon that announcement is cuffed, but then again, it could also be due process too, as he likes to say. I don't think he understands you just don't get away with attempting to makes fools of people, MLB, and society and thumbing your nose at them. His legal team is not even sure now if they will even allow him to speak at his appeal, which speaks volumes.

[BK METS]

I actually was trying to read every post, but it has become nearly impossible. Seriously you should consider writing a book. Oh and by the way, use spell check (their not thier)

[Outlaw]

Only Arod.... He has no idea what lies in wait for him.... he is signing "high powered" Attorneys at a faster pace than he can hit warning track doubles these days. His power - is gone.... even his HR he hit the other day cleared the fence by a few ft.

Now Arod attempts to hit a home run against MLB and he threatens MLB with a Federal lawsuit within a month if they don't drop his suspension...lol First off no Federal judge will allow it to have merit, before his arbitration hearing, because of an agreed upon CBA and JDA. Even when he loses his arbitration, he still stands no chance of finding a federal judge that will be willing to entertain any claim related to his suspension, unless if he can prove illegal activity and Actual Federal laws broken by MLB. They miss the whole point of MLB's lawsuit in Florida, it has allowed MLB to operate legally in determining the harm MLB feels it has sustained. Arod and his minions have no idea the "proof" MLB has on him, it's why they can hope and assume it doesn't exist and leak threats. They have no idea how many witnesses have testified under oath, including ball players. What they (Arod and his attorney's) have seen to date is minuscule compared to what MLB has on Arod and lots of others. He and his attorneys will take a deep dump when they see the pictures, videos and digital recordings... Arod had better tell his minions everyhting, lest they look like complete fools. As far as leaks, Lets see Cornwell on Radio yesterday refusing to answer certain questions, then Arod's minions contact TMZ and say Arod feels wronged and will sue MLB today.... Only Arod can come up with this stuff. It's beyond Sad now.

Arod and his people better be aware he resides in one of the toughest Federal jurisdictions in the country for while collar crime and drug trafficking. The US Attorney in Florida is one of toughest and probably the most successful anywhere in the country and the FEDS are chomping at the bit to bring Arod down along with others, but in due time, once he digs himself a hole so deep he will not know what happened to him.

Next Week/Wednesday probably, MLB will most likely be getting their hands on some very important clinic records through their lawsuit and investigation, records from 2009 through early 2012. They already have plenty of clinic records and evidence from 2012/13. These will be Records on other clinic locations, roughly 50 other baseball players and detailed PED's treatment plans for the cheating PEDS athletes. Also plenty more of the $$$ transactions and others involved. At the same time, they most likely will also be turned over to the FEDS by MLB or voluntarily by the source.

As for Arod, all he will be doing by his current actions and threats is opening Pandora's box faster... if he was smart, he would still cut a deal and pray to God the FEDS don't get him, but IMO that is a 99% done deal and he will then be trying to defend himself against them and his 211 game suspension will look like a really great deal.

And for guys like Tony B and other Clinic operators/owners, they will not be getting off legally/criminally either, their days are coming.

These are just my opinions, but as I have said before, no one will know much until such a time as it all happens, especially the Federal cases. MLB I suspect will also be very busy this off season with other players. Anyone can disagree and rip these opinions, but all I will say is consider how this has all played over the past 5 months as to what actually did happen, 99% said no suspensions, 99% said no appeals, 99% said even if it does happen, it will not happen during the season. MLB got the cheaters they could get now and they all bascially agreed with MLB's postion that they used PEDS.