Based on a certain amount of expertise, his physical development would indicate steroid use.”

What expertise is that? Does the FBI have a class in how to spot a steroids user?

The Feds have done their reputation no favors with their steroid investigations. What a bunch of doofuses.

What expertise is that? Does the FBI have a class in how to spot a steroids user?

The FBI crime lab. Leading the way in advanced forensic techniques:

"Just look at him!"

There’s been no mea culpa, and instead he became a recluse.

What does this even mean? That he didn't show up at card shows to charge $50 for an autograph? He still did charity events, he still gave the occasional interview, he was still working with major league hitters. I haven't heard anything about Ron Gant or Tom Glavine or Dave Kingman lately. They must be recluses, too.

We had information, after Operation Equine had finished

I imagine this as some kind of plan to get McGwire to reveal his chemical transgressions while talking in the nude to FBI agents dressed as a horse.

The Feds have done their reputation no favors with their steroid investigations. What a bunch of doofuses.

This. I don't want to hear these thugs lecturing anyone about anything.

Ron Gant does color commentary on the local Braves TV affiliate, every now and again. You should be glad not to have heard it, as he is... poor.. at oratory.

Ron Gant does color commentary on the local Braves TV affiliate, every now and again. You should be glad not to have heard it, as he is... poor.. at oratory.

I just chose names at random. If you think about it, not too many players stay in the limelight when they retire.

Jesus, McGwire kept his yap shut before Congress, and he's rightly paid the price in terms of his reputation and his blackballing from Cooperstown. Beyond that, what's the point? I'm glad that LaRussa hired him, since though what he did was bad enough, it's not as if he's Pete Rose or one of the Black Sox.

I imagine this as some kind of plan to get McGwire to reveal his chemical transgressions while talking in the nude to FBI agents dressed as a horse.

It's as good as trying to break into a castle dressed as a cow in galoshes.

Much like Roger Clemens in 2008, McGwire put Congress in a difficult spot in a heavily covered hearing, telling members that he "wasn't there to talk about the past," effectively invoking the Fifth Amendment.

McGwire put Congress in a difficult spot?

Clemens, who flatly denied ever using steroids, is the subject of a Justice Department perjury investigation after he told committee members in February 2008 that he had never used performance-enhancing drugs even as his teammate and friend Andy Pettitte admitted using illicit drugs and claimed that he had discussed human growth hormone use with the former pitcher.

Going on 21 months and no charges against Clemens yet. I'd have thought this would be a cinch to prove, given that 99.999999% of people think it's so obvious that he's guilty.

Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee, testified under oath and the threat of prosecution that he injected Clemens with steroids many times over several years.

Gotta love the Daily News, trying to use the fact that McNamee testified under oath as proof of anything despite the fact that Clemens's testimony -- also under oath -- cancels that out.

If one is going to use "testified under oath" as an indicator, it's no help to McNamee's version here.

The criminal division of the Justice Department is headed by former Clemens lawyer Lanny Breuer and has yet to indict Clemens.

Ah. That must be the reason for no indictment. Lanny Breuer, the Assistant AG for the criminal division, who has only been at the post since late April. Even if one were to sign on to this lame excuse for no indictment, why couldn't the feds build a case against Clemens in the 15 months before Breuer got there?

The feds typically move very fast. 21 months to prove something like this is a long time. It indicates that they're having trouble.

Gant also is a regular host of the Braves pre-game and post-game show on SportSouth. He's not that bad. Granted, he's often next to Brian Jordan, who can make anyone sound smart in comparison, but Gant has gotten a lot better over the years.


EDIT: I think discussing the whereabouts of former players is a lot more interesting than this steroid stuff. So, if you tune in to a Braves TV broadcast, you're likely to see Gant and Jordan, and if you listen to a Braves radio broadcast, you're likely to hear Mark Lemke. What otherwise forgotten former players do broadcast work for your favorite team?

The criminal division of the Justice Department is headed by former Clemens lawyer Lanny Breuer and has yet to indict Clemens.
Ah. That must be the reason for no indictment. Lanny Breuer, the Assistant AG for the criminal division, who has only been at the post since late April. Even if one were to sign on to this lame excuse for no indictment, why couldn't the feds build a case against Clemens in the 15 months before Breuer got there?

The Clemens prosecution seems to have been handed over to FBI Special Agent Godot.

Hey, remember when nobody wanted to sign Barry Bonds because he might have to "go to court and/or jail in the middle of the season"?

McGwire put Congress in a difficult spot?

Grandstanding ain't that easy Ray.

I don't know why Breuer would be involved in the Clemens investigation anyway.

March 11th:

Attorney General Eric Holder has recused himself from all legal matters involving Roger Clemens, who may face perjury charges for lying about his alleged steroid use to Congress, reports the New York Daily News.

Before his appointment, Holder was a partner at Covington and Burling, the Washington law firm that also employs Lanny Breuer, who was one of Clemens' attorneys when the pitcher testified before Congress last year.

Breuer himself has been nominated to serve as assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's criminal division, a post that would put him in charge of any federal prosecution of Clemens for perjury, the News reports.

Sen. Charles Schumer expects Breuer to follow suit if confirmed.

"He should, and I'm sure he will, recuse himself on anything having to do with Clemens," the New York Democrat told the News.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/03/11/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4858624.shtml

So they had information, decided it wasn't enough to convict and bagged the whole thing. Then, this dick uses the information to publicly attack McGwire in the media. Is that a crime? If it isn't, it should be.

What otherwise forgotten former players do broadcast work for your favorite team?

Al Hraboski, The Mad Hungarian, for the Cardinals, with Jack Clark and Ricky Horton doing studio work. Clark now looks like a Mafia don; you could slip him into The Sopranos cast and nobody would bat an eye.

George Frazier and Jeff Huson split Rockies telecasts as color guys, with Frazier doing about 2/3 of the games, Huson 1/3. (Fun trivia that I'm sure most people here know: Frazier holds the record for most games lost in a World Series, set with the '81 Yanks.)

What otherwise forgotten former players do broadcast work for your favorite team?

John Cerutti (although not anymore), Darren Fletcher, Rance Mulliniks.

I find Rance to be frequently hilarious, although I don't know why.

What otherwise forgotten former players do broadcast work for your favorite team?

Gary Matthews for the Phillies. Ricky Bottalico does television for the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs.

I'm not a Yankees fan, but being in New York I get (though these players are not all "otherwise forgotten") Cone/O'Neill/Flaherty/Singleton.

I like Singleton but O'Neill is my favorite. Very personable and tries to inject humor, but also with good observations. I find Cone and Flaherty boring, and I found Kaat (now retired) annoying.

Am I tripping or did Girardi do color at one point?

Anybody else think that McGwire has some dirt on LaRussa regarding steroid distribution in Oakland and St. Louis, and demanded a job to keep quiet about it?

Am I tripping or did Girardi do color at one point?

Pretty sure I recall him doing color on postseason broadcasts. Don't know if he did local NYC stuff.

Anybody else think that McGwire has some dirt on LaRussa regarding steroid distribution in Oakland and St. Louis, and demanded a job to keep quiet about it?

Um, no. And, just in case your wearing an aluminum foil helmet: UM, NO!

Girardi was a fairly regular color man on the YES telecasts in the years he wasn't managing.

The FBI crime lab. Leading the way in advanced forensic techniques:

"Just look at him!"

LOL.

I didn't bother to mention them since I figured everyone knew about them, but maybe not; Joe Simpson (TV) and Don Sutton (radio) also do Braves broadcasts.

Alex Trevino and Jim Deshaies a re the only former players in the Houston broadcast team.

Among minor league coaches, you have Ron Jackson, Jim Pankovits, Luis Pujols, and Burt Hooton.

Man, even Houston's minor league coaching staff is light.

Anybody else think that McGwire has some dirt on LaRussa regarding steroid distribution in Oakland and St. Louis, and demanded a job to keep quiet about it?

No.

I think discussing the whereabouts of former players is a lot more interesting than this steroid stuff. So, if you tune in to a Braves TV broadcast, you're likely to see Gant and Jordan, and if you listen to a Braves radio broadcast, you're likely to hear Mark Lemke.

What's Jeff Treadway up to?

What otherwise forgotten former players do broadcast work for your favorite team?

Bill Schroeder is the Brewers' color guy, Davey Nelson is one of their regular post-game hosts, and Jerry Augustine was brought in at the beginning of the season to provide really frightening eye bags, though I don't remember whether he lasted the year.

Ask and you shall receive!

Jeff Treadway is the baseball coach at Stratford Academy in Macon, GA.

Anybody else think that McGwire has some dirt on LaRussa regarding steroid distribution in Oakland and St. Louis, and demanded a job to keep quiet about it?

It's early yet, and I've yet to visit ESPN.com, but this is the dumbest thing I've heard today.

Rickey Henderson does color commentary for Rickey Henderson.

Come on people. Do you want to know the horrible truth, or do you want to watch McGwire hit some dingers?

Anybody else think that McGwire has some dirt on LaRussa regarding steroid distribution in Oakland and St. Louis, and demanded a job to keep quiet about it?

What, McGwire is going to give LaRussa a big bear hug while he self-immolates?

What otherwise forgotten former players do broadcast work for your favorite team?

I don't think the play-by-play and color guys for the Cubs and White Sox are really "forgotten", but just for completeness, they include Bob Brenly, Ron Santo, Ken Harrelson, and Steve Stone.

As for more "forgotten" guys, Dan Plesac does in-studio work for Comcast Sportsnet here in Chicago.

It's early yet, and I've yet to visit ESPN.com, but this is the dumbest thing I've heard today.

Well, looks like I'm in the clear, so far...

Well, looks like I'm in the clear, so far...

Are you trying to bait me into bringing up Ichiro?

(My alternate post was going to be "You're also in the cream!")

Anybody else think that McGwire has some dirt on LaRussa regarding steroid distribution in Oakland and St. Louis, and demanded a job to keep quiet about it?

La Russa has made noises about wanting McGwire to coach for the Cardinals in some capacity (usually, but not always, as a spring training coach) since pretty much the day after McGwire retired. McGwire, for rather obvious reasons, has resisted. I guess it's possible this has been an eight year long act, but it seems unlikely. McGwire won't be making much money relatively speaking for the hassle he's going to get in February.

Come on people. Do you want to know the horrible truth, or do you want to watch McGwire teach people to hit some dingers?

I never thought about this before. What kind of name is Rance? I've never known anyone by that name except the player.

Well, there's Rance Howard, father of Ron.

I would say that Mulliniks is the second most famous Rance, although it's probably closer than Howard would like, given the utter lack of competition for that title.

I never thought about this before. What kind of name is Rance?

Just don't ask The Major in Fawlty Towers if you don't want to heal the answer.

With Barry Bonds out of the picture, it doesn't seem that anyone cares all that much about PED. Haven't paid close attention, but is anyone still upset at ARod or even Manny?

Pro athletes use PEDs, and will continue to do so.

No need to even defend obvious users like Mac and Clemens, or Bonds, at this point.

It seems that Bonds and McGuire and a few of the older players still get a rise from sports writers but that the ones still playing and a few of the lesser lights get pretty much a pass.

is anyone still upset at ARod or even Manny?

there are occasional eruptions from the finger-wagging grannies in the press box. otherwise, no.

greg, i owe you a coke.

In case you missed it Ray:

6. The Insecurities of GGC Posted: October 27, 2009 at 08:10 AM (#3367199)
Hey, Ray, sorry about the other day. I just wanted to grab your attention. Unfortunately, it seems the easiest way to do that is to be a dick.

Hey, Ray, sorry about the other day. I just wanted to grab your attention. Unfortunately, it seems the easiest way to do that is to be a dick.

7. RayDiPerna Posted: October 27, 2009 at 10:08 AM (#3367267)

No worries. Assuming I know what you're referring to. :-)

8. The Insecurities of GGC Posted: October 27, 2009 at 11:22 AM (#3367384)
You don't remember? It was at the end of the Dykstra thread. I called you stuck in a USENET mindset.

Rex Hudler, whom we all want to forget, does Angel television. Strangely, half the fan base loves him. Fortunately, they've been alternating the radio & TV guys, so we do get Mark Gubicza in his stead half the time. Gubicza is nothing special, but still so much better than Hudler it's not even funny.

It's been awhile, but last time I read McGwire's congressional testimony, I thought it came as close to a confession as anyone could reasonably expect, considering the possibility of prosecution. I think in context it was clear that he was admitting usage. He gets a bum rap on this front.

I agree Harlond. If you want him to confess, under oath, then give him immunity. Otherwise, shut up.

Yeah, I caught that, GGC, and I think I responded.

As for more "forgotten" guys, Dan Plesac does in-studio work for Comcast Sportsnet here in Chicago.

Nah, Plesac took the big blue train to MLB Network. Todd Hollandsworth took his spot.

Oh, and Keith Moreland subbed for Santo this year on the radio, was actually pretty decent.

La Russa has made noises about wanting McGwire to coach for the Cardinals in some capacity (usually, but not always, as a spring training coach) since pretty much the day after McGwire retired. McGwire, for rather obvious reasons, has resisted. I guess it's possible this has been an eight year long act, but it seems unlikely. McGwire won't be making much money relatively speaking for the hassle he's going to get in February.

And it's pretty clear that La Russa, for better or worse, doesn't care about any sort of steroid stigma. He wanted the Cardinals to sign Bonds after the 2007 season, but upper management wouldn't allow it.

The Giants have Bip Roberts, JT Snow and FP Santangelo hanging around in their booth, not to mention Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper, their lead announcers.

Maybe somebody already said this but who the #### does this Stejskal think he is? Oh, yeah, he think's he judge, jury and executioner. How dare Mark McGwire get on with his life. I INVESTIGATED HIM. I AM GREG STEJSKAL AND I INVESTIGATED MARK MCGWIRE AND I HAVE IN MY HAND A PIECE OF PAPER AND ON THIS PIECE OF PAPER THERE ARE NAMES.... Go crawl back into your hole with your proverbs, Stejskal rhymes with #######.

In the past few years (I can't remember who is there right now) the Mariners have had Dave Valle, Mike Blowers, Dave Henderson in the booth, and Bill Krueger does the pre/post game show. Or did, he might be gone too. I think Buhner may have been in the booth a few times. None are particularly good. I think Blowers might be the main guy, they could just install the Baseball Cliche 2000 Color Commentary Robot in his place and save some money.

Disbanding the FBI is almost enough of a reason to pack up and <strikethrough>join the circus</striketrhough> become a libertarian.

Oh, and Keith Moreland subbed for Santo this year on the radio, was actually pretty decent.

Given the bar to clear in that situation is set at, "Say more than 'gosh' or 'come on'," I'm not sure if KM's VORS can really be trusted.

Ron Coomer does interviews/postgame analysis for the Twins.

I'm sorry, that should be All-Star Ron Coomer (.263/307/.424 in 1999, playing first base). So I guess we can't really consider him forgotten. :)

As for more "forgotten" guys, Dan Plesac does in-studio work for Comcast Sportsnet here in Chicago.

Dave Otto also does work for WGN radio ... but I don't think we can say he's "forgotten" since nobody noticed him to begin with.

Steve Blass, Bob Walk and John Wehner do Pirates games.

Is there any feeling as to whether McGuire will be a good hitting coach? Does anyone know if there are such things as good and bad hitting coaches. Since I am not a fan of the Cards I am hoping McGuire is a bad hitting coach and Pujols hits .200 next year.......

McGwire would have to be hired by the Cardinals to do Pujols' surgery to reduce him to .200. Even then...

Jim Price does radio in Detroit. Not sure if anyone else is there, since I don't live there anymore.

Oh yeah, and I haven't looked lately, but Bill Freehan was the manager at Michigan a few years ago.

Rick Manning does Tribe games for STO. He spends most of his time hoping that Dennis Eckersely is never given a job with the Indians, because there's an ass-kicking left on that ledger, methinks.

The Giants have Bip Roberts, JT Snow and FP Santangelo hanging around in their booth, not to mention Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper, their lead announcers.

Roberts, Snow and Santengelo are all various types of horrible.

Kuiper pulls off the rare feat of being a former pro and a play by play guy.

Does the FBI have a class in how to spot a steroids user?

Almost certainly. Law enforcement training involves classes on recognition of drug use and, as AAS are categorized as Class III drugs, there are classes on recognition of AAS use.

For example, physical indications of steroid use include acne, male pattern baldness and high levels of muscular development while maintaining high levels of vascularity. Check, check and check for McGwire. And, yes, I realize this doesn't prove anything vis a vis usage on his part, but there's no denying that there are physical characteristics associated with AAS use, law enforcement do take training courses in recognition of drug use, including AAS, and McGwire had very obvious physical expressions of AAS use during his playing days.

Almost certainly. Law enforcement training involves classes on recognition of drug use and, as AAS are categorized as Class III drugs, there are classes on recognition of AAS use.

Think you mean "Schedule III under the controlled substance act". "Class III" drugs are something completely different, and there would be no reason for law enforcement to care.

Law enforcement training involves classes on recognition of drug use

I believe said training involves watching Reefer Madness a few dozen times.

Jesus, McGwire kept his yap shut before Congress, and he's rightly paid the price in terms of his reputation and his blackballing from Cooperstown. Beyond that, what's the point?

Gee, Andy: when you lie down with fascists, you get up with... fascism. What did you expect?