AL Playoff Outfielder Tests Positive for Steroids

[Kulish29]

AL Playoff Outfielder Tests Positive for Steroids

An American League outfielder on a postseason team tested positive for steroids, according to his agent, but the player is appealing the results."

Certainly interesting, but I didn't make much of it until we talked to Baseball Prospectus' Will Carroll on today's Sports Bloggers Live. Will writes a weekly column for BP that Peter Gammons has called an "industry standard," and he also wrote a book called 'The Juice' earlier this year. His response when told of the rumor?

Carroll: "I really can't talk about it right now. It should be coming out within the next two weeks."

SBL: "Is this a name we're actually going to care about?"

Carroll: "Yes."

SBL: "Is it a World Series champion?"

Carroll: "I really can't talk about it."

SBL: "I would hope not, because that might turn those White Sox black... Will, cough once if he's on the White Sox... Cough twice if it's Gary Sheffield."

Carroll: "I was involved in the appeals process so I can't comment at all."

It will be interesting to find out who it is.

[Galapagos]

I'm hoping Manny Ramirez or Trot Nixon.

[Rich]

I'm hoping Manny Ramirez or Trot Nixon.

It wouldn't shock me.

[Mattpat11]

I'm hoping (...)or Trot Nixon.

SBL: "Is this a name we're actually going to care about?"

Carroll: "Yes."

[NYYBombshell]

Holy sh*t.

[scull567]

It'd be hilarious if it was Posednik.

[Mattpat11]

It'd be hilarious if it was Posednik.

It would make sense.

[Kulish29]

It would suck for the White Sox if it was anyone of their OF'ers. It would be another 'Black Sox' thing.

[Rich]

It would suck for the White Sox if it was anyone of their OF'ers. It would be another 'Black Sox' thing.

Yup, it would hurt all of MLB.

[NYYBombshell]

I hope it's no one our team. I really, REALLY hope so.

[Galapagos]

My first guess would be Johnny Damon. And that would probably be ideal, because then the Yankees wouldn't sign him.

[Mattpat11]

Yup, it would hurt all of MLB.

Dye might be worse that Podsednik. The World Series MVP on steroids could get ugly. (I was going to say "The World Series MVP using illegal substances, but well, I'm sure you know where I'm going there)

[scull567]

Pick your man.

Matsui
Williams
Sheffield
Ramirez
Damon
Nixon
Posednik
Rowand
Dye
Rivera
Guerrero
Finley
Anderson
Figgins

Since its someone we would care about its probably not a 4th outfielder.

[Mattpat11]

Pick your man.

Matsui
Williams
Sheffield
Ramirez
Damon
Nixon
Posednik
Rowand
Dye
Rivera
Finley
Anderson
Figgins

Since its someone we would care about its probably not a 4th outfielder.

What about Big Bad Vlad?

[Kulish29]

What about Big Bad Vlad?

If it's Vlad, he needs a refund.

[Rich]

It it turns out to be Damon, it could cost him $30 million or more.

[Mattpat11]

It it turns out to be Damon, it could cost him $30 million or more.

I don't think its going to end up being someone like Damon. Its going to be something stupid Like Aaron Rowand taking the wrong protein pill.

[Galapagos]

If it's Vlad, he needs a refund.

Right. He clearly can't hit.

[Kulish29]

Right. He clearly can't hit.

I was talking about the playoffs.

[patrick.o]

Please don't be a Yankee. Please, please, please, please.

[Kulish29]

Please don't be a Yankee. Please, please, please, please.

Those were my first thoughts when I read about this.

[JapanJobbers]

If it turns out to be true, I'm guessing Podsednik. Most of the players caught so far have actually been speedy, lanky guys. And he might have used it to help speed along his leg injury earlier this year.

[yankeebot]

Another day, another steroid rumor. I hope it's another false alarm.

[Evil Empire]

I'm hoping its false alarm purley to uphold the integrity of the game.

[Babe Rules]

I hope it's not Sheff.

[JDPNYY]

I hope it's not Tino.

[gsars5]

Maybe it was Bubba, that would explain his agressiveness in the outfield.

[ieddyi]

Another day, another steroid rumor. I hope it's another false alarm.

IF wil Carrol says so, and that he was involved w/ the appeal process, it's for real

[Bosox Guy in Chitown]

Pick your man.

Matsui
Williams
Sheffield
Ramirez
Damon
Nixon
Posednik
Rowand
Dye
Rivera
Guerrero
Finley
Anderson
Figgins

Since its someone we would care about its probably not a 4th outfielder.

Sheffield, Nixon (though he had no power toward the end of the season), possibly Dye.

[jonnyc39]

My first guess would be Johnny Damon. And that would probably be ideal, because then the Yankees wouldn't sign him.

My guess is Sheffield, the only one who has been linked to steroids in the past.

[Snatch Catch]

Sheffield, Nixon (though he had no power toward the end of the season), possibly Dye.

My top three guesses:

1) Damon

2) Sheff

3) a. Anderson

b. Rowand

[jonnyc39]

I was talking about the playoffs.

Plus the fact that he's always injured. You had a good point.

[Snatch Catch]

For what it's worth, I've read that Sheff doesn't even have an agent.

[hardrain]

I think it's Damon too. The fact that Will Carroll says it's so certainly does lend credibility to issue. I just pray it's not a Yankee....Please.

[Evil Empire]

Why does everyone think it's Damon? What's leading to this conclusion?

[silverdsl]

I thought Sheffield had rethought and does have an agent now but I could be imagining things. Personally I wouldn't be surprised if it was Sheffield because he has admitted to "accidentally" ingesting Balco steroids and there's no way of knowing how long that might stay in his system.

I think it's extremely bad news no matter who tests positive if it really is a big name player on a post-season team. And it would be absolutely awful if it was someone from the White Sox. I would really hate to see their championship tarnished.

-Deborah

[jonnyc39]

Why does everyone think it's Damon? What's leading to this conclusion?

Because he's strong?

[Evil Empire]

When will we find out who it is? After the appeal process is done?

[Snatch Catch]

Why does everyone think it's Damon? What's leading to this conclusion?

I've thought Damon for a while now. His body is very different from when he was in Oakland and KC.

[rdsxntnnh]

Sheffield, Nixon (though he had no power toward the end of the season), possibly Dye.

Redsox: I would be shocked if it were anyone but Nixon, Damon would have to be incredibly stupid to do this in a contract year.

Angels: Vlad, he seemed worn down and could have been looking for a push for the post-season but I would be very surprised if it were any angel.

White Sox: Please let this not come from the white sox, the last thing they need is another black sox scandal as discussed above. This would be horrible for the white sox and MLB as a product.

Yankees: Sheffield, but with all the attention on him it would be idiotic. With his name linked to Balco makes you wonder if a new version of the "clear" wasn't as successful?

Odds due to past performance vs this year and steroids story links:

Shef - 40%
Nixon - 25%
Damon - 10%
Vlad - 5%
Dye - 10%
Rowand - 5%
Anderson - 5%

IMO opinion Shef has to be the leader here due to past connections to Balco.

I hope congress gets involved ASAP as the union does not seem to grasp the seriousness of the issues here. Test for all performance enhancing substances, and ban for a minimun of 81 games if caught. There is no way in the future a player who is cheating should be able to influence playoff races. If it is Nixon or Damon I hope they get a half season penalty.

[Evil Empire]

I've thought Damon for a while now. His body is very different from when he was in Oakland and KC.

So?

I'm not saying your wrong, but he couldn't have worked out or something?

[savafan]

IF wil Carrol says so, and that he was involved w/ the appeal process, it's for real

I agree, but why would Will Carrol be involved in the appeal process?

[Snatch Catch]

So?

I'm not saying your wrong, but he couldn't have worked out or something?

Did I ever say it definitively was him?

C'mon now.

And can't you're defensive statement be applied to everyone in baseball?

[Snatch Catch]

I still think that if it's an Angel, it's going to be Anderson.

[Crusadecat]

My Money would be on Vlad.

[YankeeFan1]

I just hope it isn't a Yankee player.

[Crusadecat]

This should be a new segment on This week on Baseball or it should replace the Aflac quiz or something.

[jonnyc39]

Did I ever say it definitively was him?

C'mon now.

And can't you're defensive statement be applied to everyone in baseball?

I think that's the point - just about everyone in baseball looks different now compared to their first couple years in the league.

That's why it sounds silly to use that as a reason for suspecting Damon.

[silverdsl]

Btw, just one note of caution here. This could be false just as much as it could be true. All we've got here is a blind item from one of USA Today's publications and a few vague comments from Will Carroll, who I believe was the person who claimed that they had inside information that Pete Rose was going to be reinstated and that was false. So in a few weeks there might be a huge scandal or there might be nothing.

-Deborah

[Snatch Catch]

I think that's the point - just about everyone in baseball looks different now compared to their first couple years in the league.

That's why it sounds silly to use that as a reason for suspecting Damon.

Johnny Damon's body has changed dramatically enough, considering that he is/was relatively ectomorphic, to my eye, that he is atop my list of guesses. It's that simple, and it is hardly silly.