This could be an around the horn topic but it's not like it doesn't affect the WHite SOx. Still, if the mods want to move it I understand. The question I want to pose today is if MLB should stop the use of greenie's or amphetamines. Is this a "problem" or is it MLB being busybodies? It's hard not to udnerstand why they are used. THe life of a big leaguer is probably a sleep deprived one with day games after night games and red-eye plane rides. SHould we really care if they are being used? ALso, are they easy to test for? If someone uses yellowjackets from a gas station or red bull-is there a big difference? Also, if as many players are using these as is thought, will there be a noticeable chang on the field in any way whatsoever? Your thoughts...

Colin Cowherd had some good discussion on this today.

 

However, I'd like to know more on the topic before I pass complete judgement.

 

Sounds like these type of "uppers" are used more often than I thought by today's players.

 

More information would be helpful if anyone knows about these type of "substances," which I am unfamiliar with.

I'm remember hearing some old interview by I think Ken Caminiti. He said that there are 3 or 4 guys on every team that DONT use greenies. In the interview or in a seperate discussion about it by former baseball players I remember them discussing if they were to ever get banned that they would have to cut the length of the season to around 115 games. They said without these things it would not be possible to play 162 game seasons year in and year out.

In his interview with 20/20 a year ago, Victor Conte, the BALCO guy, alleged that the use of amphetimines was in fact a huge problem in baseball (bigger than steroids); people taking them before games to get more charged up. They are fairly easy to test for as far as I know - they're the sorts of things that are tested for in your standard, "I'm at the doctor and i need a physical" drug test.

 

it's another part of the game that needs to be cleaned up...and it seems Bud Selig may finally be realizing this.

Are they harmful? I have relatively little knowledge about these short of reading Ball Four lke everyone else.

I heard ADD drugs are used... helps 'em stay focused...

I heard ADD drugs are used...  helps 'em stay focused...

Aderol is common in baseball now? Wow. That's scary, its popped like tylenol in college, but that truly doesn't surprise me. It works the same way on the body that greenies do basically. They both are amphetamines, speed up your circulation, brain activity, etc. These in conjunction with anykind of dietary supplement i can't imagine would be good for your body, but if you were outlaw it it could very well change the nature of the game

I'm remember hearing some old interview by I think Ken Caminiti.  He said that there are 3 or 4 guys on every team that DONT use greenies.  In the interview or in a seperate discussion about it by former baseball players I remember them discussing if they were to ever get banned that they would have to cut the length of the season to around 115 games.  They said without these things it would not be possible to play 162 game seasons year in and year out.

 

If they are going to crack down on drugs (no pun intended), then they should crack down on ALL drugs. Instead of dropping the amount of games, they could up the active roster size to 30. Managers would definitely be more under the gun as far as days off go, that's for sure.

I don't think that the mlb should crack down on drugs in general. It has nothing to do with enhancing performance. Librarians aren't tested for marijuana and athletes shouldn't be either in my opinion

I don't think that the mlb should crack down on drugs in general. It has nothing to do with enhancing performance. Librarians aren't tested for marijuana and athletes shouldn't be either in my opinion

On a side note, there was a study performed at University of Wisconsin-Madison that proved that people actually drive better under the effects of marijuana. Thank you hippies for justifying it

Aderol is common in baseball now? Wow.  That's scary, its popped like tylenol in college, but that truly doesn't surprise me.  It works the same way on the body that greenies do basically.  They both are amphetamines, speed up your circulation, brain activity, etc.  These in conjunction with anykind of dietary supplement i can't imagine would be good for your body, but if you were outlaw it it could very well change the nature of the game

Aderol is used a ton on college campuses too. I could write you a long list of my friends who use that crap. I can't imagine it really helping someone in baseball, because it seems to make you, while more energetic and enthusiastic, very stupid. They all act like retards. They end up looking like fools, so I am weary of it being so overused in baseball.

I am not pro-drug by any means but I realyl do feel that it is not our business if an athlete is using recreational drugs. IF they want to drug test them when hired like a normal job-that's fine but I think testing for drugs is not really our business when it doesn't involve steroids, etc.

I am not pro-drug by any means but I realyl do feel that it is not our business if an athlete is using recreational drugs. IF they want to drug test them when hired like a normal job-that's fine but I think testing for drugs is not really our business when it doesn't involve steroids, etc.

It's a performance enhancer....

I am not pro-drug by any means but I realyl do feel that it is not our business if an athlete is using recreational drugs. IF they want to drug test them when hired like a normal job-that's fine but I think testing for drugs is not really our business when it doesn't involve steroids, etc.

 

If it is illegal, I have a problem with it being used.

Right, but baseball shouldn't be in the business of doing the job of law enforcement. Why is an athlete any different from a normal citizen when it comes to drug enforcement?

Right, but baseball shouldn't be in the business of doing the job of law enforcement. Why is an athlete any different from a normal citizen when it comes to drug enforcement?

I think you're just trying to get a rise...

Right, but baseball shouldn't be in the business of doing the job of law enforcement. Why is an athlete any different from a normal citizen when it comes to drug enforcement?

 

Tons of jobs drug test. It is very common nowadays, especially in jobs where drug use can be detrimental to job preformance. Baseball is just being dragged into the 20th century (that is what I meant) kicking and screaming.

I won't even dignify the comments of one of the above posts but as for the last one, I don't think many jobs do drug test after hiring.

I won't even dignify the comments of one of the above posts but as for the last one, I don't think many jobs do drug test after hiring.

Huh? You won't dignify any of my posts...Aderol would be a performance enhancer...drugs are bad for people. Shouldn't baseball be worried about the health of it's players. I have seen many people drug tested after they have been working on a job. I have also been drug tested for sports, so I have a good hunch you are very uninformed on drug testing and everything else.

I won't even dignify the comments of one of the above posts but as for the last one, I don't think many jobs do drug test after hiring.

 

I know for a fact that most in my profession do. I also know many others that do off the top of my head.

Listen, I do not claim to be an expert on drugs. I am not. Are they detrimental to one's health. Sure. I just don't think that sports should randomly test for them. One's performance whould be what they are judged by. If they negatively affect your performance, the system takes care of you. As far as being uninformed on everything else, I do have it on good info that you are a dick

Listen, I do not claim to be an expert on drugs. I am not. Are they detrimental to one's health. Sure. I just don't think that sports should randomly test for them. One's performance whould be what they are judged by. If they negatively affect your performance, the system takes care of you. As far as being uninformed on everything else, I do have it on good info that you are a dick

Huh? You have a good idea on all this...ya just said ya didn't. You're not an expert on drug testing or drugs, that is what this talk is about. I am sure that I am one of the few to be tested through athletics (a test 100x's different than a drug test for a job). It isn't the kids who don't perform who are the only ones who get tested. I could tell you so many stories including kids who have tested positive for all kinds of different things (I'm talking about NCAA athletes). So something that is illegal in the United States should be allowed in baseball? So clubs should not give a damn about the well being of their athletes? If I am going to put millions of dollars into someone, I am going to make damn sure they are in peak health and stay away from any drugs.

 

I also like your comeback...wow, callling me a dick makes you such a big man. :headshake

I'm not sure I understand how 'uppers' would help you in a sport like baseball. I can see it in football or hockey, where you have to stay geeked up due to the running and hitting, but baseball?? If anything, I would think they might hurt your game. The only thing I can relate it to is when I have too much coffee just before my work outs. Yes, I have tons of energy, but I have a hard time controlling my muscles sometimes, like they're spastic. In baseball, you need good timing and to be more finessed and in control.

I'm not sure I understand how 'uppers' would help you in a sport like baseball. I can see it in football or hockey, where you have to stay geeked up due to the running and hitting, but baseball?? If anything, I would think they might hurt your game. The only thing I can relate it to is when I have too much coffee just before my work outs. Yes, I have tons of energy, but I have a hard time controlling my muscles sometimes, like they're spastic. In baseball, you need good timing and to be more finessed and in control.

The only one of them I am firmilar with is Aderol, and it makes people so dumb...seems like they're high almost. I guess they do get alot done...I have never taken them and never will (no need), so I couldn't say what they exactly do to a person. I have to think baseball players have better types of "uppers" than Aderol, as they do have designer steroids and all.

 

Baseball has a history of this though. Only cracked down on Ephedra after the Oriole's pitcher died...only on steroids after Congress got involved.

I won't even dignify the comments of one of the above posts but as for the last one, I don't think many jobs do drug test after hiring.

 

 

 

You don't think so...??

 

I know for a fact the following ARE tested... anyone who drives anything, teaches anything, anyone in the medical profession, government jobs, most financial jobs, many manufacturing and engineering jobs, and I'm sure Mike can confirm but I believe that those who have anything to do with stock trading and investing do (although that might be covered under financial). A lot more do than don't.