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In kind of a backwards way, the "steroid era" may have done something good in baseball. They are the only sports entity that is truly taking all known steps to prevent or at least diminish PED use. This would not have happened if the PED wasn't so rampant and really came to light after the HOF voting. If you a select few used them it wouldn't have gotten this much attention or reaction.

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Jan 11, 2013 -> 07:25 AM) Yes. Most regular dudes are around 1:1. Elite athletes often approach 4:1. In rare cases, some people may go over 4:1 naturally, but due to the rarity, that's usually the "something's suspicious" line where more testing gets done. If you're at like 10:1, you been doin somethin. You're correct. This is why the baseline monitoring is so important. If you know thier natural variance, you know when something changes. You don't have to know exactly what it is but you know they are doing something.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 01:31 PM) As someone who does not know anything about this stuff, how much natural variance is there in these sorts of levels? Can (some) athletes see larger variances because of their workouts, diets, etc? There is always some variance. however, with small variances there will not be much advantage to the athlete. The testosterone must go up to see benefits. This is why they also test for things that raise the epitestosterone level in an attempt to mask the change in the ratio. Nothing can mask the changes that happen when you know the normal variances of an athlete. This why this type of testing is a quantumleap in prevetning PED use.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 01:34 PM) Time is a factor as well. Going to the library takes time, learning how to cook takes time, getting the necessary cooking utensils and tools takes time and money. The parent raising three kids by themselves might struggle to find time to go to the store, learn to cook, raise their kids, work, exercise, etc. etc. It's a hell of a lot easier for some people to make the 'right' choices than it is for others is all I'm saying. Think about what advantages you might enjoy and might take for granted before you cast a moral judgement that someone's being lazy, dumb, irresponsible etc. Someone is a little touchy. I never said any of those things that you are implying. I resent the fact that you are trying to paint me as someone who would even says that about someone. You really need to take it down a notch and respond in a civil fashion. All I said was anyone can learn to cook. You don't need much as far as utensils. Everyone struggles to find time. If it's worth it to you, you will. If not it's your choice. Have you ever had to live on welfare and use food stamps to eat? I have, my father died when I was in high school from cancer. I've lived with my mother making 12,000 as a secretary with 3 kids. It's all about prioritizing and making the right choices.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 12:52 PM) “@JonHeymanCBS: MLB will announce agreement for random, unannounced in-season hgh blood testing. first major US sport to test for hgh.” Nice This is good as well. But the previously mentioned testing process will be more effective.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 12:38 PM) Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan New: MLB has "longitudinal testing program" in which lab will maintain baseline T/E ratio to identify suspicious samples even when T/E In English: Baseball will start keeping a doping profile of sorts on players so even the slightest change in testosterone ratio is evident. WADA lab in Montreal will get baseline samples of testosterone, epitestosterone, T/E ratio and use those on subsequent tests going forward. This is what is being proposed at he olympic level. This is a great way to enhance the drug testing policy. You don't need to discover all of the synthetic, tailored drugs. this is impossible as chemists come up with new ones for which athletes are not tested. In this system you only need to know that something changed.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 12:14 PM) But the issue with food deserts is that they may not have access to a decent produce area with affordable produce, so that doesn't do them much good. There's also the aspect of actually knowing how to prepare and cook different meals and having the stuff to do so. Yeah, processed food is easier, there's a whole lot of time and stress issues you face when in poverty. The parent working two jobs and raising two or three kids might not actually have time to exercise that much or they might be exhausted at the end of a long day. This applies to some people in some circumstances, not everybody, obviously. Anyone can figure out how to make a meal. Go to the library and read a book, use the internet from the library, there are many options. The parent raising 3 kids can go for a walk. If health is the issue, they can find the time.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 12:01 PM) Making a big ass, healthy salad with a protein source each day is not expensive nor all that time consuming. I can whip up a beast salad with three eggs on top in the time it takes to go to the drive through and order trash. People always have excuses for why they can't stay healthy - when it's not hard at all. Agreed. Time is the excuse. When we have to run one kid from one practice to practice there is no time for going home. However, going to a fast food place and ordering a plain grilled chicken sandwich or the salad is not a bad option. It cost more but it saves time.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 09:26 AM) thank you. the point i was making was that when you let the almighty dollar and free market control our food supply and health care system, it leads to this result. no matter WHAT choices you make these days, our food products are far inferior to their 1950's counterparts. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies have NO incentive to actually heal people, because then they stop making money. Choices make all the difference. If you eat healthy and take care of yourself, odds are you will not need the medical system often. The medical system is not a "not for profit" system. No medical systems have these incentives. Insurance companies on the other hand have a lot at stake to keep you healthy. Many of them have incentives (good results with blood work) to keep premiums down.

QUOTE (3E8 @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 11:37 AM) At least now the team is acknowledging their ticket costs have been too high and are lowering prices across the board. Let's see if it changes attendance. The high cost is one excuse fans have for not coming to games. There is now one less excuse. My bet is that attendance doesn't much and fans find other excuses.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 9, 2013 -> 03:29 PM) These percentages tell me that Bonds and Clemens get in eventually. Personally, this is more of an indictment on Sammy Sosa. 12.5% for a guy who never test positive and never admitted to it? Won an MVP, multiple All-Star appearances, 600+ home runs, only guy to hit 60+ homers in 3 seasons. There are about 1 million red flags, and apparently the BBWAA has taken those quite seriously and they have essentially stated that, without steroids, Sosa is nowhere near a Hall of Famer. He was caught with syringes while in the DR and some were also found in his car when Manny Alexander had it.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 9, 2013 -> 01:18 PM) Now they get scripts for ADHD medication instead! That is a popular one as well. The only problem with that one is that sometimes the drug will make them to hyper and you can't concentrate. It is a trial and error one.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Jan 9, 2013 -> 12:19 AM) BREAKING: Sources: @RGIII to have total reconstruction surgery for torn ACL & LCL Wed. Projected recovery 6-8 months. (via @mortreport) -- ESPN I'm surprised they a doing a reconstruction of the LCL. This should push the rehab time to the latter part of the timeframe if not longer.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 9, 2013 -> 01:12 PM) guess what? I'm 26 and i still get zits from time to time. what a RIDICULOUS basis for not voting someone into the hall of fame. There is a huge difference between someone getting a few "zits" and what an acne ravage back can look like from PEDs.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 9, 2013 -> 02:49 AM) 5 hour energy may be the next PED. The popularity of it has increased the last couple of years

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 8, 2013 -> 05:09 PM) You are right. Using amphetamines (greenies) is a federal crime as well, yet they were rampant in MLB. Willie Mays & Mike Schmidt have admitted to using them, how can they be in the Hall of Fame? That's not very "ethical" of them. Again it's a matter of where the crime is on the spectrum. Would someone get the same sentence for "greenies" as for cocaine? Almost all MLB players used greenies up until 5 years ago. That doesn't mean that it is the same offense that steriods are. One helps you to fight off fatigue, keeps you alert and helps you focus so you can perform at your best level. The other actually improves what your best level is.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jan 8, 2013 -> 08:04 PM) It all depends on whether he was hurt after June or became old all of a sudden. If he was hurt and is now healthy, then I feel like he'll play another 5-6 years and challenge for 600. Watching him hit early in the year was truly a work of art. He figured the game out to a degree that most never do, truly taking what the pitcher gave him. He was fast-tracking to the HoF the last few years and I hope it was just some injury. Only guy that can hit .400 and I want to see it We know he was hurt. He had surgery on his wrist.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jan 8, 2013 -> 03:44 PM) The teams letting them interview may not think so. You think Mike McCoy could be a little distracted by this when he has a game plan to implement. Now what if he interviewed every day last week and this week? Interviewing them for s***s and giggles will make a GM look bad. They had a week off to determine the opponent. If he can't implement the game plan in a week which is usual for the regular season, he shouldn't be an OC.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 8, 2013 -> 02:27 PM) The Soxtalk guide to the off-season. Sox player had a good year- Can't be repeated, decline imminent. Sox player had a bad year- ominous sign, decline imminent. Sox player hurt- don't count on them, they won't fully recover, probably ever, decline imminent. Sox player leaves for another team- They are irreplaceable. Sox decline imminent. Player Soxtalk wanted Sox to sign, signed with another team- Reinsdorf is cheap, he would have been the difference to catching Detroit, Sox decline imminent. Detroit player had a good year- Look out, they are way better than what the Sox have, will help the Tigers get better. Detroit player had a bad year- Plenty of room to rebound and will help the Tigers get better. Detroit player hurt- This is an opportunity for the Tigers to get better, as they didn't have this player last year. Detroit player leaves for another team- They sucked, and the player replacing them is way better. This will help the Tigers get better. Player signs with Detroit- Huge help to the Tigers, this plugs their only hole, this will help the Tigers get better. Player snubs Detroit for another team- They sucked, and the player they already have is way better. This will help the Tigers get better. This is true for every off season. Just replace Detroit with Minnesota on occasion. The only thing you missed was: This is the year the Royals take the next step and will pass the woeful, poorly managed, underfunded, over paid, talentless, prospect barren Chicago White Sox.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Jan 8, 2013 -> 02:02 PM) Charge the mound, throw at him when he's batting. To compare doctoring a baseball to taking steroids is pretty ridiculous in my mind. This is the way I've always looked at it. Speeding and murder are both crimes. One gets a fine the other jail. Everyone is entitled to look at it however they want. That is what is so much fun about it.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2013 -> 08:34 AM) RGKnee conversation with "Expert" at ESPN was quite informative. More at link. I'm not sure who Stephania Bell is but her comments are pretty good. Everything she says is in line with the current surgery/rehab protocols.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 7, 2013 -> 05:04 PM) Yes, it was, here's the ESPN version: That's what I thought. Looking at a previously reconstructed knee makes it a lot more difficult to determine the extent of a new injury. This will be an interesting case. Edit: thinking about the prognosis someone stated earlier. I wonder if they found articular cartilage damage? This would cause the rehab to be prolonged.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 7, 2013 -> 04:53 PM) Heard 12-14 months recovery time. Wow, that's a really long prognosis for that type of injury. There must be something else going on. Even a full reconstruction is at most 10-12. Adrian Peterson was playing in 9.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 7, 2013 -> 04:34 PM) Flapship ‏@TheFlapship RG3 has a partial-tear (sprain) of his ACL and LCL joints. #NFL #redskins Is there any info on if it was his previously reconstructed ACL?

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 7, 2013 -> 04:35 PM) Here is the good NYT piece on it, which was much more thoroughly reported. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/sports/h...?pagewanted=all Note, that there was a local blogger that did a lot of work to keep this in the spotlight, has her name on the blog, and lives in the town taking all the heat. Takes a little more courage. This takes alot of courage in that situation. Take her out of the town before the carpet bombing begins. As a matter of fact let her push the button.