False positive? Parsing Pujols’s reaction to the fake report
I have never used steroids. Period.
– Rafael Palmeiro, 2005
I’ve never used any drugs to enhance my performance in baseball.
– Andy Pettitte, 2006
I did not take steroids, human growth hormone or any other banned substances at any time in my baseball career or, in fact, my entire life.
– Roger Clemens
I have never disrespected, nor cheated the game of baseball …
It’s 2007, Albert. Don’t you owe us more than just your word? Why exactly should we believe you?
… and knew without a doubt that my name would not be mentioned in the official investigation.
Did you know without a doubt because you have never done any PEDs or because someone familiar with the report gave you that assurance?
I would like to express how upset and disappointed I am over the reckless reporting that took place this morning. It has caused me and my family a lot of senseless aggravation due to their inaccurate information.
Yes, the reporting of the false report was reckless and an exceptionally shoddy bit of “journalism.” Let’s not, however, make the logical fallacy to conclude that, because the report was false, all players named it it are clean. Similarly, just because a player wasn’t named in the Mitchell Book Report, it doesn’t mean he’s innocent.
What concerns me, is the effect this has had on my family and that my character and values have now been questioned due to the media’s lack of accuracy in their reporting. I have never had a problem with the media when they do their job correctly, whether it is positive or negative — just as long as they report truthfully.
One of the roles of the media — whether traditional or new — is to hold people accountable for their actions and words. Long before the erroneous report came out, Pujols was already a suspect because of his association with Chris Mihlfield, his longtime personal trainer who helped Jason Grimsley make a record recovery from surgery. And while we’re on the subject of Mihlfield: At the time he was linked in the Grimsley confession, he said of Pujols, “You know why he’s frustrated? Because he cares. He cares what every little kid thinks about him. He cares if some kid picks up a magazine, and they start talking about steroids. He cares that little kids will always link that to him. He’s sick about it. He hates it.” Apparently Pujols isn’t so sick of it as to do anything beyond issuing statements and making promises he apparently isn’t interested in keeping. It’s been a year and 214 days since Pujols pledged that MLB could test him “every day if they want.” Albert’s character and values have been questioned not because of a phony report but because of things he himself has done — and not done.
I didn’t think it was true. I’m glad I was right. And my thought at the time was how unfair it was to Albert, [yada yada yada]…
– Cardinals team president Mark Lamping
Let’s try that again, Mr. Lamping: “I didn’t think it was true, but then again, how would I know? As high-level employee of a team that has done nothing and continues to do nothing about PEDs in baseball, I have no moral authority whatsoever to be upset about one our players being suspected.”
God has blessed me and allowed me to play a game that I would never take for granted.
We respect and probably even share some of Pujols’s religious views. But, as Andy Pettitte has so contemptuously shown, being known as a man of God and showing forth such a poor witness renders the mere mention of theology hollow at best and intensely hypocritical and damning at worst. Don’t invoke God’s name in this and bring his down with yours, Albert.
I would like to thank my fans for their continued support and never doubting my integrity.
We consider ourselves a fan, Albert, but if you expect your fans to continue supporting you, you need to give back a little. The relationship between fans and players has always been a two-way street, and we’d like a little support, too. One of these days, perhaps someday soon, you’re going to find that you’ve squandered any goodwill you’ve built up and your fans revolt, saying “don’t tread on us.”
December 18th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Whoa, Pip! I love your blog, but what is up with the venom of late?
I don’t think the media has much to appologize to Albert about as there was reason to suspect why he could be in the report, but I don’t see why Albert owes us an appology. Even if Albert went through voluntary and public drug testing, I’d have to imagine it would be frowned upon, if not blocked, by the union and perhaps the Cardinals organization and all of MLB. It woud put ballpayers in a position to prove their innocence, which is something that we traditionaly assume in this country.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:09 am
I kind of agree. I mean, I could have the Cardinal blinders on, but I don’t see a thing wrong with Pujols’s response. If you aren’t going to trust anyone, then it doesn’t matter what they say. If you aren’t going to trust the tests, because HGH can’t be tested for, then it doesn’t matter how often they get tested.
Has AP turned down a request for a drug test? Heck, for all we know, MLB IS testing him every day of the week.
I feel like I’m missing something here.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Good article Pip, I like how you challenging us Cardinals fans. But don’t turn Bernie M. on us and become a constant pessimist.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Sorry but I can’t agree. I think your last 2 posts have been overly critical and unfair to Edmonds and Pujols… the kind of stuff I’d expect from a Cub fan, not a Cardinal’s blog site.
My link to your site is history dude.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Readers, both former and ongoing
…
Obviously, when one takes a strong stand on an issue or two, people are going to be forced to choose a side because it requires that they, too, check their own feelings on the issues. You may disagree with me, but hopefully you can respect the point of view where I’m coming from.
I view fanship not unlike patriotism: A person can and should be loyal to his country, but that doesn’t mean sticking his head in the sand and blindly following. It’s a healthy part of patriotism to hold leaders accountable for their words and deeds.
I think I’ve built up enough credibility as someone who does give the team, at all levels, the benefit of the doubt (dare I say “optimist”?). So when I’m critical (or as a few of you would have it, “overly critical”), I think that my comments are not the rantings of pessimist but merely some intense opinions from a loyal fan who wants and expects the best for and from his team. If we as fans don’t hold our team to high standards, who will?
December 19th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Okay, some specific responses:
I don’t think I mentioned that he needs to apologize as he should merely quit insulting our intelligence. If he wants to apologize for treating fans contemptuously, so much the better.
If players want us to believe them and be taken seriously these days, they’re going to have to endure “being frowned upon.” Really, isn’t it the least they can do for the game? Besides, if so many people in the game think that using PEDs is bad, why would anyone want to block such behavior?
Yes, I’m glad you used the word “traditionally” — that is, until or unless people do things to demonstrate that they’re not innocent. Like it or not, players (and owners) have created their own guilt by resisting efforts to reform their culture, and have certainly not done anything themselves to improve it. As a member of the MLBPA, Pujols is a signatory to everything the union has done to foster an environment in which PED use is rampant. This isn’t a question of “innocent until proven guilty” because they’ve already displayed their guilt, Pujols included.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Yo Pip
I don’t really agree with your last two posts, but kudos to you for having the stones to “call it like you see it.” Houston card must be from one of those households where you aren’t allowed to discuss religion or politics at the dinner table. That said, I always enjoy your site, and am glad to see a little debate here.
P.S.~ If a Dr. believes in the healing power of HGH for Ankiel’s recovery before it was even banned by MLB, how is it that anyone should fault him? INjecting a syringe full of bull testosterone into a butt cheek is one thing, taking HGH to speed recovery as administered by a Dr is another….
As for Albert; the “problem” in the game is bigger than him, how can you make him such a focus and pin your hopes for a brighter future so squarely on his shoulders? What about PED’s in the NFL? Remember that he has to spend 7 months out of the year with a group of men, and he has a responsability to fans and the franchise to be a leader that makes for a positive atmosphere as much by his actions as by his choices! Wouldn’t standing up with a bull-horn and playing “angel boy” elevate a better-than-thou feeling around his locker and otherwise take away from the team dynamic? Would it accomplish anything positive?
As for Jimmy, if the guy wants to spend his summer playing everyday in sunny San Diego to be around his family more often, he has more than earned the right to do so in my book. I live in L.A., grew up in the ‘Lou, and let me tell you, PETCO is a lot more accomodating to an aging centerfielder in the twilight of his career. If you were in his shoes, would you really not consider it? Does it have to be whining?