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Wednesday, January 07, 2009

IIATMS: Rosenberg: More on Mitre; Dissecting Romero’s claims

Ergo, pharm them out…

I managed to get hold of Matt Sosnick from Sosnick-Cobbe Sports, the firm that represents Sergio Mitre. Sosnick is not Mitre’s representative; Paul Cobbe is. Matt was kind enough to take a few moments to help clarify some things about Mitre’s story.

IIAMTS: Why should we believe Mitre’s story?
Sosnick: Paul and Sergio have been dealing with this issue for months, working with the MLBPA. Based on what I know about the situation, I believe there is zero chance that Sergio would be making this up.

IIATMS: It was noted in Peter Gammons’ original article that Romero claims he was offered a more lenient suspension (25 games) if he plead guilty. Was Mitre offered that same deal?
Sosnick: Mitre was not offered that deal. A lot of scenarios were bantered around as possibilities but Mitre was never offered a choice. My partner Paul Cobbe handled the entire deal with Mitre and the MLBPA hearing/appeals process. He was never offered a choice. We hoped for zero games; it came down as a 50 game [suspension] for both Romero and Mitre. We, along with the MLBPA thought that was unfair. If Romero claims he was offered 25 games to admit guilt, that comes as a surprise to us since Mitre was never made that offer.

IIATMS: Who knew about this and for how long?
Sosnick: Only myself, Paul and Sergio [and the MLBPA] were aware. We’ve been working on it for months. Paul and Sergio have been to NYC to discuss and meet with MLB officials. Once we knew that the league would release this today, the only person that I called was Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman, out of respect for him and our working relationship. We released Sergio’s statement after the Romero statement was released.

Repoz Posted: January 07, 2009 at 09:46 AM | 17 comment(s)
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   1. Lassus Posted: January 07, 2009 at 12:12 PM (#3045380)
Question: Why should we believe Mitre’s story?

Answer: I believe there is zero chance that Sergio would be making this up


Well, I'm convinced. NEXT!
   2. Sammy's Corked Whine Posted: January 07, 2009 at 12:33 PM (#3045408)
Even if you believe the Romero/Mitre defense, it doesn't garner much sympathy:

"Well, sure, I was loading up with specially engineered bodybuilding chemicals looking for an unfair advantage. And yeah, MLB is cracking down on that because it disgusts and alienates fans. But see, I didn't know the specially engineered bodybuilding chemicals I was doping up with had trace amounts of the specially engineered bodybuilding chemicals on the banned list. I thought I was doping up with stuff that wasn't banned yet! Also, I kick puppies."

Maybe the last part isn't entirely accurate, but still..
   3. Le Metaphysicien Posted: January 07, 2009 at 12:41 PM (#3045418)
I was loading up with specially engineered bodybuilding chemicals looking for an unfair advantage

It isn't an unfair advantage if everyone has access to it and believes it to be legal, which is the story being propagated.
   4. Sammy's Corked Whine Posted: January 07, 2009 at 12:54 PM (#3045434)
The use of the word unfair there may have been ill-advised.

Still, after supplement upon supplement has been banned, isn't loading up with the latest supplement, then complaining when it gets you banned a bit disingenuous? It's like the people who griped when the RIAA sued them over Kazaa. "They used to only get you for Napster."

When you knowingly run right up against the edges of the rules, it's hard to feel too sorry for you if you misjudge where the line is.
   5. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: January 07, 2009 at 01:01 PM (#3045446)
When you knowingly run right up against the edges of the rules, it's hard to feel too sorry for you if you misjudge where the line is.

"She looked at least 13 to me."
   6. what the hell, just use your initials or something Posted: January 07, 2009 at 01:02 PM (#3045448)
after supplement upon supplement has been banned, isn't loading up with the latest supplement, then complaining when it gets you banned a bit disingenuous?

Well, if it were true that a) supplement upon supplement has been banned, b) these guys were loading up with the latest supplement, and c) ballplayers knew what disingenuous means, then you might have a point.

To borrow Le Metaphysicien's phrase, the story being propagated is that the players had been led to believe that if you can buy it at your local GNC, it's OK to take it.
   7. Sammy's Corked Whine Posted: January 07, 2009 at 01:06 PM (#3045454)
Maybe what I was missing was the "Many ballplayers are dumbasses" aspect of the argument, and admittedly, it's one I am hard pressed to argue with.
   8. Sammy's Corked Whine Posted: January 07, 2009 at 01:12 PM (#3045460)
When you knowingly run right up against the edges of the rules, it's hard to feel too sorry for you if you misjudge where the line is.

"She looked at least 13 to me."


I realize this was a quip and a funny one at that.

Still, the "I thought she was old enough" defense for statutory rape is about as apt a comparison as you could make to Romero and Mitre's "I thought these were legal" posturing.
   9. il returno de CC Posted: January 07, 2009 at 01:30 PM (#3045493)
Still, the "I thought she was old enough" defense for statutory rape is about as apt a comparison as you could make to Romero and Mitre's "I thought these were legal" posturing.


Won't someone please think of the childrensupplements?
   10. Joey B. Posted: January 07, 2009 at 04:24 PM (#3045736)
It isn't an unfair advantage if everyone has access to it and believes it to be legal, which is the story being propagated.

It's totally unfair to every guy who wants to play and compete, but isn't willing to risk his long term health in order to do so.

According to Wikipedia, here's what it says about the stuff Romero was taking: "On June 18, 2008, Health Canada issued a warning that 4-AT and 6-OXO had a health risk related to blood clotting and recommended all users immediately cease use.".
   11. Randy Jones Posted: January 07, 2009 at 04:30 PM (#3045741)
It's totally unfair to every guy who wants to play and compete, but isn't willing to risk his long term health in order to do so.

So you support banning painkillers too then?
   12. Le Metaphysicien Posted: January 07, 2009 at 06:44 PM (#3045882)
It's totally unfair to every guy who wants to play and compete, but isn't willing to risk his long term health in order to do so.

Professional sports aren't for sissies. Rarely are these gentlemen pictures of health. You are employing a rather fanciful standard.
   13. Dewey, Local Boy and Hero Posted: January 07, 2009 at 06:46 PM (#3045884)
Professional sports aren't for sissies.

Neither is construction. They should get rid of those stupid OSHA laws. Whiny union bastards.
   14. AJMacaroni Posted: January 07, 2009 at 06:54 PM (#3045890)
I support banning salads and exercise. Why should big fat guys be at a disadvantage?
   15. Le Metaphysicien Posted: January 07, 2009 at 07:01 PM (#3045896)
Neither is construction. They should get rid of those stupid OSHA laws. Whiny union bastards.

And you would be a sissy construction worker for complaining about someone else doing a more dangerous OSHA approved activity.
   16. Sammy's Corked Whine Posted: January 07, 2009 at 07:18 PM (#3045907)
I support banning salads and exercise. Why should big fat guys be at a disadvantage?


Ah, your sarcasm has taught me that we can sometimes be overzealous in our desire to insure a fair playing field.

And in that vein, I now support cyborg enhancement of players!
   17. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: January 08, 2009 at 10:25 AM (#3046251)
Why should big fat guys be at a disadvantage?

You are welcome to try out for the Lions' offensive line just like any other big fat guy.
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