Rick Ankiel: Let's Give the Guy a Break

The investigation into that HGH shop in Florida has turned up yet another athlete that has been documented as receiving HGH.

St. Louis Cardinal Rick Ankiel.

Ankiel, as most baseball fans know, was a promising pitcher who ran into a Knobloch like mental block and couldn't stop from throwing pitches into the backstop.

He gained a reprieve in the minors due to his hitting ability and is having some success after being called up.

It's a great story. And seemed to be on the way to a happy ending.

But, the connection to PED's certainly will tarnish Ankiels feel good story.

"This is the first I've heard of this," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty told the Daily News. "If it's true, obviously it would be very tragic, along with everything else we've had happen to us this year."

We couldn't agree more.

This would be a tragedy. Clearly, a player connected to HGH or PED's is tragic. Clearly, such an event would be categorized equally with another player on the team dying in a car wreck.

Victims. All are victims.

But, further examination shows that it might not be all that horrible an occurrence for either Ankiel or the Cards.

Major League Baseball doesn't test for HGH, and the sport didn't ban human growth hormone until 2005. But a player who possessed it or used it after it was banned can be suspended for 50 games. Authorities have not accused Ankiel of any wrongdoing, the newspaper said. According to the Signature records the News cited, he stopped receiving HGH just before baseball banned it in 2005.

Obviously, if Ankiel was using HGH before it was banned by baseball, then we shouldn't expect MLB to take action, right? And certainly, why would law enforcement accuse a pro athlete who surreptitiously comes into possession of a controlled substance of wrong doing?

The Daily News said Major League Baseball officials declined to comment, saying they would "look into" the allegations but weren't sure if any action could be taken.

Right!

The feel good story of Ankiel looks like it will continue, although with just a shred of skepticism. But, it doesn't seem like this will - and, since he did possess it before it was banned, shouldn't - have an adverse effect on Ankiel's career or the public's perception of his accomplishments.

It doesn't seem to be bothering Ankiel, as the former HGH possessor smacked 2 homers yesterday.

In related news:

Barry Bonds, accused of using PED's before they were tested for and officially banned by MLB, continues to be the recipient of negative press, demands for asterisks next to his records, boos and taunts from opposing fans and investigations categorizing his possible usage of said substances as criminal.

Yes indeed.

One standard applied to all players.

Nothing to see here folks. Move along.



And MLB was wondering why Negroes have lost interest in the game not too long ago, weren't they?

Can't imagine why.