The story from reporter Tim Elfrink of the Miami New Times, who spent 3 months on the story indicates that records taken from Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic near the University of Miami, reportedly show those players and many other athletes all of whom have connections to South Florida -- received various substances from Anthony Bosch, the head of the clinic, who is already under investigation by MLB and DEA.
According to reports, Elfrink was given patient records by a former employee of the clinic. He followed up that research with multiple interviews with other former employees and clinic customers.
From CBSSports.com on line today:
Here's a snippet of Elfrink's findings regarding the Yankees' superstar third baseman:
There, at number seven on the list, is Alex Rodriguez. He paid $3,500, Bosch notes. Below that, he writes, "1.5/1.5 HGH (sports perf.) creams test., glut., MIC, supplement, sports perf. Diet." HGH, of course, is banned in baseball, as are testosterone creams.
That's not the only damning evidence against A-Rod, though. Another document from the files, a loose sheet with a header from the 19th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine, lays out a full regimen under the name Cacique: "Test. cream... troches prior to workout... and GHRP... IGF-1... pink cream."The mentions of Rodriguez begin in 2009 and continue all the way through last season. Take a page in another notebook, which is labeled "2012" and looks to have been written last spring. Under the heading "A-Rod/Cacique," Bosch writes, "He is paid through April 30th. He will owe May 1 $4,000... I need to see him between April 13-19, deliver troches, pink cream, and... May meds. Has three weeks of Sub-Q (as of April)."
This evidence seems pretty damning. It's gotten so far that there is a report now that the New York Yankees are trying to void A-Rod's contract. Though as the report indicates there is no precedent for voiding a contract due to use of PED's. A-Rod still has 5 years and nearly $114 million left on his deal.
More damning to me, is the fact that Rodriguez was falling out of favor already with the Yankees. He was pinch hit for in the playoffs last year. His injuries have mounted and stats have plummeted over the last few seasons. Even though other players have been mentioned in the report (I'll get to that later) A-Rod figures to be in the spotlight, especially after telling MLB in 2009 his PED use was limited to his 2001-03 stint with the Rangers.
Stay tuned to see what the Yankees are able to do with the contract and how they use A-Rod if he sticks in the Bronx.
Other Players:
Nelson Cruz of the Rangers is also mentioned in the report. Cruz's name had not been linked to PED's in the past. The Rangers released this statement today:
Gio Gonzalez, who had a monster season for the Nationals, Melky Cabrera who was suspended last year while leading the NL in batting average for the Giants, Bartolo Colon who was suspended 50 games last year and Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal have also been implicated. Grandal has been suspended the first 50 games of the 2013 season for testing positive for banned substances."At that time, the Rangers contacted Major League Baseball on that inquiry," the Rangers' statement said. "The team has no further comment."
Yikes for Yasmani
Hopefully for Grandal, this was a random mistake, after getting some bad advice and something that will never happen to him again. Grandal showed the potential of an All-Star behind the plate and at the plate in the second half of 2012. I'm sure the news of his suspension caused some fans to wonder if they've seen the real Grandal?
We haven't heard the real story yet from Grandal, and perhaps with Spring Training around the corner, he'll explain. After getting to know him a bit during the season, I'm really hoping he comes clean.
This is a quick to forgive society, as I've mentioned before, the players that admit to making a mistake, usually get benefit of a second chance in the eyes of the fans. I'm ready to give him that benefit. I however have no tolerance for those that lie about it. That distort the truth. That stand by a "reputation" and never come out of the shadows and set the record straight.
It's such a shame that very talented players, like Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds, who probably would have been Hall of Famers without PED's, had to keep up with the "cheaters" based on ego. They couldn't stand seeing other players using PED's, and succeeding to levels that were still below theirs. They had to think, "wow, imagine if I used these products, how much better would I be?". Shame.
What a mess. Seems the list of those players not suspected of PED use, would be shorter to publish. Unfortunately for them, playing in this era of baseball will have even the "non users" will be lumped in with those corrupting the game. Again, shame on MLB for ignoring the signs, in the 90's, instead, choosing to ignore them, for the sake of putting life back into the game. I'm not even sure enhanced testing is the answer anymore. Seems like there is always somebody around that knows how to beat the system.
The worst part:
I haven't even mentioned the worst part of all of this. Jose Canseco was actually right.
Everything I wrote in Vindicated and Juiced is true.Truth always comes out in the end.How sad is that?
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) January 29, 2013
Random Rants:
...the new baseball facility at USD, Fowler Park and Cunningham Field, will open it's doors on February 15, as the Toreros take on HOF'er Tony Gwynn and San Diego State. The park looks pretty spectacular. Nice that USD is keeping John Cunningham's name on the field. The former Torero's baseball coach has been at the school 50 years, and is now the Director of Transportation. JC is a great guy and has tons of stories to share. Thinking he would be a great subject of a blog entry one of these days. Thoughts?
...oh yeah, it's Superbowl Sunday next week. I have been successfully avoiding the pre-game hype and 'media day' festivities. Wait, I think the pre-game show itself starts in 20 minutes. Who do you like in the game? I'm leaning toward the 49'ers right now.
...I am really truly happy for the city of New Orleans. Great to see a proud city return to glory after being reduced to rubble by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
...mentioned on Twitter the other day that I've gotten hooked on another TV show. I was a little late to the party on HBO's, The Newsroom, with Jeff Daniels. I'm a big fan of the show and the writing of Aaron Sorkin. I watched all 10 episodes of season one, in three days. Hearing that season two will premier this summer.
...happy to see the Aztecs basketball team ranked in the top 25 again...a great defensive effort got that job done against New Mexico.
...hoping that this Saturday, the USD Toreros, shock the conference, and upset #7 Gonzaga. Hope you'll be on hand at the JCP, game starts at 8pm. If you can't make it, join us on The Mighty 1090 with yours truly on the call. The Toreros have lost three straight since starting out conference play 4-0.
...I'll leave you with a passage from one of my new favorite Twitter spots, "Modern Seinfeld"...
George makes it his mission to date the cute Starbucks barista who always writes the wrong name on his cup. They date. She calls him "Greg."
— Modern Seinfeld (@SeinfeldToday) January 29, 2013
Follow @PadsCast
Have a good night!
Andy
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