Beyond The Steroids and PED’s

May 18, 2009   ·   philliesmania   ·   Jump to comments

The recent suspension of Manny Ramirez exposed a troubling problem that I think is even more disturbing than the Performance Enhancing Drug issue. In fact with the latest disclosure from MLB, I am even more livid than I was before. Let me lay it on you.

Okay, let me state up front, I am not condoning the use of PED’s or defending the Manny’s of the world. My issue is more of an ethical and legal concern here.

When the news broke that Manny was to be suspended for 50 games for failing a substance test, it was barely a millisecond later and a couple of want to be Woodward and Bernstein’s reported that he failed for having the drug hCG in his body.( Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone for women) Oh and they conveniently added that this is the drug commonly used for people cycling off of steroids. Of course this was the classic “according to our sources” story.

But wait a minute, what sources? Here is my problem with this. The MLB Players Union and MLB have a legally binding contract that clearly states that no details of any testing will be disclosed other than if the player passes or fails a test. In fact the tests are totally random and the media is not even supposed to know when and who is being tested. How is it then that a reporter could know what drug was discovered in a players system?

I highly doubt the player is alerting the press, and the people doing the tests are also bound by the legal agreement of complete confidentiality. Obviously there is a “plumbing” problem and the media is the plumber with their crack showing out of their pants. Who is leaking this stuff? And why does this have to go this far?

Hey I understand people are curious but isn’t there a line here? I mean what would happen if Joe or Mary factory worker failed a drug screening or test and the company revealed it was cocaine or marijuana? Are you kidding me? The Union would have a field day and lawyers would be swarming like buzzards over a dead carcass.

So where is the Players Union and MLB? Why are they not crying bloody murder? Frankly they should file litigation against these reporters and their employers to try and find who leaked this information. They don’t actually have a winnable case, but they certainly have the legal representation already on retainer and the money to apply some pressure to maybe find out who has the big mouth. At least show your players you care about them and their rights even if it is a futile attempt at finding the mole.

Honestly the players should refuse to submit to any more tests until this is resolved and someones head is on the butchers block for leaking this stuff. They would have a legitimate beef. The test samples are given under the legal protocol that “guarantees” their privacy. How is that working out? The Manny incident is not close to being the first time that the media revealed details of a players substance test.

Oh and about the report I referred to by the MLB above? It turns out, Manny did not have hCG in his system. So not only was the leak and the subsequent reporting shameless and unethical, but is was flat out wrong! (Don’t hold your breath for a retraction or apology Manny)

Look I’m tired of all the steroid/Ped’s controversy as much as anyone else and I know these rich spoiled brats bring this problem to themselves, but they have rights to privacy just like you and I and the media should respect that. Remember this is a legally bargained right to privacy here.

And don’t tell me it’s news so it has to be reported. There is a ton of news everyday that gets cut out by the editor of papers and radio/tv programs. Somebody please, grow some balls and have some scruples here.

Just report the failed test and the suspension and leave the rest to our public opinion. If we want to bury Manny or whomever,  we will. We don’t need your agenda driven influence.