Friday, February 8, 2013
VIDEO: What happens to Gio?
Gio Gonzalez's potential connection to a Miami clinic allegedly distributing performance enhancing drugs creates a complicated situation for the left-hander and for the Nationals. On Thursday evening's edition of SportsNet Central, I discussed this situation with CSN's Nicole Darin and speculated what, if any, ramifications it could have for Gonzalez and the Nats.
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41 comments:
Unfortunately, the use of PEDs is rampant at this time, and probably will always be. It shouldn't be as big an issue or suprise as it is made out to be. A player can be lost to injury at any time just as he can be lost due to PEDs at any time. There is one big difference. Being lost to PEDs is the players CHOICE. Being lost to injury is not. So, just as a team prepares to cover for injured players - through no fault of the player -, so should the team prepare to cover for a player out due to a PED conviction....through the fault of the player (big difference). The news of players on PEDs is now losing it's impact.
Scott Boras has been quoted as saying he intends to open a sports training facility in southern Florida to give players who live there somewhere to train in the off-season without having to worry about any connection to PEDs. Don't know how serious he is, but that seems like a good idea. He has a lot invested in those guys, too, and keeping his clients clean means he can continue to make money representing them.
I think every organization should have an off season training plan for each player that has been checked by the trainers. It should include where they train, who is supervising and what they are doing. I understand that some guys have home facilities now. A lot if them certainly can afford it.
I'd guess he pitches the whole year, goes 14-14 with a 4.00 ERA. you can’t minimize the effect of this distraction. the only hope is that additional details come out that exonerate him.
Thanks Mark for a great report ... all the facts (re: potentially no PEDs, no failed drug test), no sensationalism, no media drama, no hype ... your friends on the radio should follow same
Per @Ken_Rosenthal, Scott Boras is opening a fitness center in Florida which will be run by former Mets OF Alex Ochoa.
A team-run or team-approved fitness center is not a solution. It's not the environment that lures players into "experimenting" with PEDs. Too many are looking for an edge. King Felix's contract demonstrates just what is at stake. As long as the pay-off is so huge there will be players trying to find a way...any way...to get to the promised land.
I like the concept but, er.... That was then, this is now, I guess.
Laddie Blah Blah said...
Scott Boras has been quoted as saying he intends to open a sports training facility in southern Florida to give players who live there somewhere to train in the off-season without having to worry about any connection to PEDs. Don't know how serious he is, but that seems like a good idea. He has a lot invested in those guys, too, and keeping his clients clean means he can continue to make money representing them.
February 08, 2013 7:49 AM
Find a happier image of Gio here:
http://jennjenson.com/portfolio/gio-shuts-out-the-cardinals/
Gio throwing the last pitch of his complete-game shutout against the Cardinals on August 31.
And a heads up for those who don't know already: I'm moving my baseball photos from Nationals Fangirl to Jenn Jenson dot com. For the next month or so I'll be posting a photo a day (more or less) from last year. When I head to spring training, I'll start a photo album for our #WorldSeriesorbust season.
Jenn Jenson said...
"for our #WorldSeriesorbust season."
Love the photos, Jenn. But on as fans, I'd personally prefer if we didn't do this "World Series or Bust" thing. I know to us the idea of a season as World Series favorites is so surreal that it's fun to contemplate after watching all those losing seasons. But to outsiders who didn't go through the losing with us, I think it makes us sound kind of arrogant.
Anyone else feel the same, or am I just overthinking it?
I don't get how having a team approved or Boras owned training center will solve anything. These guys aren't seduced into doing PEDs, they seek them out. Teams can't monitor players 24/7. It's up to the players to decide if they want to be clean or dirty.
Mark at one point says the evidence so far is Gio's name in Bosch's notes "connected with some substances, some of which aren't even illegal." Um, some of which? That's pretty cold comfort.
bowdenball, after years of being kicked as the doormat in the NL East I am 100% ok with the arrogance.
Gio needs to hold a press conference on the first day and nip this in the bud. Have Rizzo at his side and his story straight and get this thing behind him.
Yeah maybe it's just me SCNatsFan.
222:
Word!
Gio and Nats need to get this behind them now
this is always the problem with guilt by assciation
@bowdenball
Its not like people on this site came up with that phrase so its not arrogance, just explain where it came from (Davey) and i don't see any issue. If people still think its "arrogance" on our part then i really don't consider there opinion valid.
If any of the substances Gio is allegedly connected with are either illegal or on MLB's list of banned substances, I have yet to see a press report saying so. Since Mark seems to be on top of this story, perhaps he could enlighten us as to which of the substances Gio is connected to ARE even illegal.
does schilling story have a bad effect on this, anyone?
Jenn, I like the theme considering that's what some people coined this season for Davey!
Go out on top!
NatsLady said...
Per @Ken_Rosenthal, Scott Boras is opening a fitness center in Florida which will be run by former Mets OF Alex Ochoa.
February 08, 2013 8:28 AM
His facility in SoCal where Danny Espinosa and Strasburg and the West Coast clients work out is nice.
I assume this is for the East Coasters like Prince Fielder and other top clients who want to stay East and some who have been going to the Athletes Compound in Saddlebrook near Tampa which is frequented by the CAA clients.
BB said:
Anyone else feel the same, or am I just overthinking it?
.....................
All Daveyisms 100% approved by UnkyD!!!
mick said...
does schilling story have a bad effect on this, anyone?
February 08, 2013 9:48 AM
Typical Schilling every few years to get some old story out there. Why tell that now? If it was so important for him why not tell it right after he retired.
You always have to wonder about Curt's motivations. He's still under investigation for shady business practices after 10's of millions he borrowed to startup a video gaming company failed in a short time. The funding was mostly from Rhode Island Loan guarantees so the state of Rhode Island had to pay-up.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/curt-schillings-video-game-company-files-bankruptcy-818836
"I like the concept but, er.... That was then, this is now, I guess."
Not sure what to make of it, either. It would not stop anyone who wants to cheat from cheating, and may offer political cover for someone who does, like.. "Who me? I train at Boras' facility, so what are you talking about?"... kind of denial.
Folks, don't over-think the #worldseriesorbust note I included in my post. I was simply supporting Davey, and I absolutely want him to think that way. Me? It's hard to be arrogant when you've attended as many losing games as I have over the years.
First off, if Gio is innocent I would suspect it bothers him 0%.
If he's guilty - whether or not he is caught or disciplined - then who knows. Lance did pretty darn well when he was lying thru his teeth.
Sounds like I was overthinking it, it happens.
I knew what you were referencing, Jenn, and like you I say the idea of us being arrogant after what we went through from Jul 2005 until 2012 seems impossible. I was just considering it from the outside looking in.
great points Steve
Well done 1a to remind us of the connection between Boras and PEDs. It's great that he wants to have an east coast training facility, but kind of laughable to market it as protection from PED accusations.
Here here Jenn on the number of losing games/seasons we've endured. "World Series or bust" is a great attitude for the manager/team/and fans to have. Anyone seen any T-shirts yet?
I'd love to see Gio have a press conference on the first day of ST, answer all questions, and then say, "that's it, I'm not talking any more about this, out of respect for my teammates and the investigation." But I expect he won't say a word until the investigation is completed, and I won't blame him in the least if that's what he and his advisers decide is best.
And finally, I really could care less what Curt Shilling says, writes, or thinks. He can take his bloody sock and never be heard from again as far as I'm concerned.
Bowdenball:
late getting in but let me also support how Davey is approaching this season. As an old retired coach, seeing a guy in his last season set high goals is not only exciting, it is essential. I am more than happy to jump on! Yes, its easy to lay low and then celebrate after things have gone your way but it takes courage to step up and say, here we are come and take your best shot. I love the fact that he is putting it out there and maybe he is arrogant but believe me, his players appreciate him taking this approach. We had more wins than any team in MLB, what do you want him to say, gee I hope we can get past the first round this year? Nope World Series or Bust!!
Here is what I would tell Gio. The first time this situation is brought up just say "I have already made a statement. Thank you for your concern but I have nothing further to say" Just keep repeating that no matter how many times the reporters try to ask about it. It might take 20 or 30 repeats but sooner or later the reporters will start to understand they are not getting any kind of scoop or story. This will not be easy for someone like Gio but he does not need any more drama right now.
Thanks Mick. Curt Schilling owes so much money that I'm wondering when he's writing his tell-all book.
He needs to stay relevant to keep up his lifestyle as I'm sure he's hoping he gets some nice appearance money to talk about the sordid details as we note its only "his word" and no corroboration from anyone else yet.
The post-mortem of his failed business hit so many people personally with no health insurance and some business debts like relocation costs then became the debts personally of employees.
One former staff member vented his frustrations on Facebook, writing, “I’d like to honestly know why I was hired in the first place on January 16th, 2012…when members of the company knew they were behind on bills and not doing well economically? I moved my pregnant wife, sold my house for a loss of 18k, relocated away from all my family and friends for a company I thought was honest and forthright to their employees. What did I get in return? An unpaid [$10,500] relocation package months after it should have been paid, a pregnant wife who found out our insurance had lapsed from our doctor, a ton of bounced checks and payments to bills when we found out our paychecks had not been paid through the media and a large debt to my unemployed father to help us survive.”
http://www.letsgotribe.com/2013/2/7/3963942/did-terry-francona-tell-curt-schilling-to-take-peds
Great stuff Ghost, hard to believe Schilling was so insensitive.
Is what Gio said in his statement is false?
“I’ve never used performance-enhancing drugs of any kind, and I never will,” Gonzalez said “I’ve never met or spoken with Tony Bosch or used any substances provided by him. Anything said to the contrary is a lie.”
Me - I think Bisch 's ledger notation need to be explained. Now that more than one player has said their is a reason that they are in the ledger, it it much more crediable (even if those player were lieing about why there where there). In addition, I would ask Gio to explain if he has been to the clinic vs. if he knows Bosch (is this a statement void). Did he buy stuff there. Get him on record and then we can campare later if he lied.
sjm308 said...
Great stuff Ghost, hard to believe Schilling was so insensitive.
February 08, 2013 10:59 AM
In fairness in journalism, there are some that think Schilling is an angel. Let's face it, many people think working for an sports icon is a dream job.
It becomes the blame game when things go wrong and then you have to decide who you are going to believe.
The Feds aren't finished yet with their audit but given the way they look at Government waste they probably won't find anything wrong with what Schilling's company did even if they spent $640 on a toilet seat.
Tcostant: all valid questions and they will be asked but again, Gio should not provide any further dialog until MLB has done its investigation. He just needs to refer back to his original statement and say nothing else.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/2013/02/08/curt-schilling-says-sox-medical-staffer-suggested-use-hgh/JwJMQMeAXfGBhVOktlQTjI/story.html
This seems to shed more light on this Schilling PED drama.
Again, why now as to the timing?
New Post
Gee, it must be a slow news day, that beat writers have to start SPECULATING on what MIGHT happen if the sky falls...
Do Gio a favor and leave the negativity for losers. There's place for it here. Have some POSITIVE NATITUDE for a change, because reading all these CHICKEN LITTLE stories is a pain in the ASK me where.
This is like a National Enquirer article claiming that some guy is the product of aliens and big foot...
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