Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

[Thrasha]

An Orlando pharmacy being investigated in connection with steroids was raided Tuesday, and it was discovered that one of the alleged clients of the pharmacy was Gary Matthews Jr.
The Albany Times Union learned that investigators have uncovered evidence that testosterone and other performance-enhancing drugs may have been fraudulently prescribed over the Internet to current and former MLB and NFL players, as well as collegiate athletes. Also on the list of clients were admitted steroid user Jose Canseco and boxer Evander Holyfield. No other active major leaguers had their names leaked in the article. Feb. 27 - 3:23 pm et

Not to automatically say the guy is guilty, but it would make sense seeing as though he is just coming off the greatest season in his career. All the while parlaying that in to a fat contract.

[rubisco43]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

Not to automatically say the guy is guilty, but it would make sense seeing as though he is just coming off the greatest season in his career. All the while parlaying that in to a fat contract.

I'll say it... he's guilty.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

I'll say it, he's not guilty...

[utexas]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

I'll say it, wait until the facts are revealed before making judgements.

[rubisco43]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

I'll say it, wait until the facts are revealed before making judgements.

due process bah!

[Jimplication]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

The Albany Times Union learned that investigators have uncovered evidence that testosterone and other performance-enhancing drugs may have been fraudulently prescribed over the Internet to current and former MLB and NFL players, as well as collegiate athletes.

To me, this implies that the prescription company is to blame before the athletes.

It ties in perfectly to the "I didn't know they were steroids" defense, for what it's worth.

[Skerik]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

I'll say it, wait until the facts are revealed before making judgements.

If MLB had any drug testing worth a damn, we wouldn't have to speculate. But since they don't, we do.

[wang_chi7]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

If MLB had any drug testing worth a damn, we wouldn't have to speculate. But since they don't, we do.

Its the same for about every sport (besides possibly the Olympics.) Lots of guys squeek through. Just look at the size of the players in the NFL today, is that natural? I doubt it. Plus Balco fooled the NFL as well (Romonoski was part of that and never got caught) and a guy like Merriman gets caught (how many times did he squeek through before this year) and only gets 4 games and still gets a pro bowl spot.

Everybody looks at MLB as the joke, but 50 baseball games-31% of the season (1st offense) is a bigger punishment than 4 football games- 25%. Both leagues fail to test for HGH. Neither league tests often enough and just beg for guys to cheat the system. Its not just baseball thats a joke, but they are the only one getting the black eye.

[Thrasha]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

According to documents reviewed by Sports Illustrated reporters Luis Fernando Llosa and L. Jon Wertheim, Gary Matthews Jr. ordered HGH from an Orlando pharmacy in Aug. 2004.
In August 2004, he was allegedly sent Genotropin -- a brand of synthetic human growth hormone typically prescribed to children suffering from growth failure -- at an address in Mansfield, Texas. The reporters traced the address and found it to be a residence of a former minor league teammate of Matthews', who said that he is friends with Matthews. The reporters further discovered that Matthews received a prescription for HGH through a doctor at Health Watch, a now-defunct anti-aging clinic in south Florida. Feb. 28 - 6:04 pm et

I'm sure he'll use the fact that it was delivered to his friends house will be his way of denying it, but it's not looking good.

[CMH]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

Well, I don't see how this correlates with his performance the past season.

He received said shipment in 2004 before testing was around in MLB and he sucked.

In 2006, testing is in baseball, and Matthews Jr. finally has a good year in the league.

I understand that he could have benefitted from using the substance in 2004, but it took him two full years before he realized the benefits?

I'd guess that Matthews Jr. was clean in 2006, but I would question 2005 and 2004. But, since it wasn't tested in baseball I don't care because there's no way I can know for sure.

All I know is that he was likely clean in 2006 and he played a good game of baseball.

[wang_chi7]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

Well, I don't see how this correlates with his performance the past season.

He received said shipment in 2004 before testing was around in MLB and he sucked.

In 2006, testing is in baseball, and Matthews Jr. finally has a good year in the league.

I understand that he could have benefitted from using the substance in 2004, but it took him two full years before he realized the benefits?

I'd guess that Matthews Jr. was clean in 2006, but I would question 2005 and 2004. But, since it wasn't tested in baseball I don't care because there's no way I can know for sure.

All I know is that he was likely clean in 2006 and he played a good game of baseball.

He could still be juicing and not get caught. There is no test for HGH.

Assuming he only juiced in 2004 though, that still would help him today. Once he would have given up the stuff, its not like his muscles he got from it disappeared (some would be lost, but much would remain). The only way they disappeared is if he stopped training altogether.

[Freelance]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

The word is that when the details of this report finally comes out, LOTS of players will be implicated.

[Skerik]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

The word is that when the details of this report finally comes out, LOTS of players will be implicated.

So what? I mean, not coming down on you or anything, but plenty of players have already been implicated by steroid scandals and accusations. What's happened to them? The burden of proof lies upon anyone who would attempt to prosecute these players and unless a prosecutor has hidden video of someone like Bonds filling up a syringe with illegal drugs and injecting them into his body, there will never be any proof.

Positive test results would be another thing, obviously. But with no testing in place, where are those going to come from? And remember, the only players who test positive for steroids or anything else are those who are too stupid to beat a drug test.

[SidVish]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

Until the testing includes HGH there will always be players who are juicing. By the time baseball does in fact include HGH in their testing, if in fact that actually ever happens, players will be on some new substance that can get by the tests. Baseball brought this whole dilemma on itself. Homeruns brought people back to baseball and they looked the other way as to how everyone and their mothers were hitting bombs.

[CMH]

Re: Gary Matthews Jr. Using Steroids?

He could still be juicing and not get caught. There is no test for HGH.

Assuming he only juiced in 2004 though, that still would help him today. Once he would have given up the stuff, its not like his muscles he got from it disappeared (some would be lost, but much would remain). The only way they disappeared is if he stopped training altogether.

Well, you got me there. I totally forgot that HGH is untestable.

Ah, the Angels were dumb to give him 10 million per season anyway. He'll prove his worth this year when he doesn't crack .270.