Uh Oh! Here comes the National Media.

by birds 4 life on Sep 7, 2007 1:35 AM EDT Comment 19 comments

It was only a matter of time before some one tried to shit on the Ankiel parade.

REPORT: Cardinals' Ankiel received HGH from a Florida pharmacy

It looks as though if this did happen it was a long time ago and Slick Rick didn't break any laws. Also would have happened before MLB banned HGH.

Hopefully I'm not even going to pay it any more attention than this diary. I'm not sure I even fully trust the source although ESPN is now reporting it too. I figured I'd at least put this up for discussion. I hope this whole thing ends before it even begins, but I'm sure it won't.

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I say again...

I guess I missed the day that the New York Daily News became a reputable news source.

by mynameistyler on Sep 7, 2007 2:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...and for

cryin' out loud, he's not accused of ANYTHING. The so-called "offense," which supposedly happened when this substance was NOT banned by MLB, isn't an issue. If he fails a drug test tomorrow, fair game. Nail him. If he passes, end of story. These drugs are all short term fixes (as far is known)--the benefits deteriorating quickly when usage is curtailed. So, prove to me he's done something wrong since "wrong" has been defined by MLB, and I'll gladly see him punished. Otherwise, you are talking conjecture and innuendo, not reality.

by rockin redbird on Sep 7, 2007 3:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't kill the messenger guys...

I'm firmly planted on Rick's side here. I'm not making accusations just passing on the story. And I too questioned the journalistic integrity of the New York Daily News which is known for being a highly sensationalist paper.

"The two most important things in life: good friends and a strong bullpen." - Bob Gibson

by birds 4 life on Sep 7, 2007 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really wish

that Tony or someone in Cardinals management would finally call out the "East Cost Media" be it the newspapers and even ESPN for their frequent digs at the Cardinals, and trying to dig something up in hopes of putting a creak in the armor of the team and it's players (which to me is clearly what is being done with the Ankiel)

Of course it won't happen, but it would be long overdue in my opinion.

by KYCards on Sep 7, 2007 3:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

question the news all you want

but they have been in the lead on the entire steroids story from prior to the release of canseco's book up to this. they have not only been in the lead, but have covered the story with extensive journalistic integrity.

whether we like it or not, if ank used hgh, it's unlikely there was a medical purpose to it.

by sdesserman on Sep 7, 2007 9:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Daily News

question the news all you want

Yes they have, and anyone who has been paying attention to the story would know that. His name was just one of several that supposedly showed up on Signature's customer list, and I don't believe for one second that this story started out as a hatchet job on Ankiel. That "East Coast bias" line doesn't apply here.

Those of you who are saying "show me the proof"; "he never failed a drug test", yada yada yada... take off your Cardinal-colored glasses for 30 seconds. Why is it that Cardinals players can do no wrong? Just because they're "our" players? Shortsightedness, if you ask me...
If this was Derrick Lee, Prince Fielder, ARod, or anyone other than a Cardinal player being accused, 99% of you would be jumping all over this, saying things like "I told you so".
If it's true, it's true, and we will have to deal with it.

by cardsrul on Sep 7, 2007 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ankiel HGH

Let's speculate that he did it. 2004...3 years ago when he was a pitcher on the disabled list in the minors and it was not a banned substance and it was prescribed by a doctor. (although it may have been a doctor of philosophy?)

So he is being accused of using something prescribed by a doctor that was not illegal, nor banned, when he was not a position player or even playing at that point. In fact he retired after that. (only to come back)

How does this compare with Bonds, Giambi and others who have admitted to juicing when it was illegal, while they were playing, (and winning MVP awards) and having it prescribed by personal trainers who are now in jail. AND THEY GOT NOTHING!!! No suspensions, no fines, and they even had a freakin' party for Bonds breaking the home run record in the most tainted way possible and forced Hank to congratulate him.

Whatever happens with Ankiel, this East Coast press needs to put it in context.

How about handin' me another helpin' of those mashed taters...thank you very much!

by Elvis on Sep 7, 2007 9:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Got news for you Elvis

What Bonds and Ankiel did was the exact same. There is no difference between the two, except for the fact that Bonds is an excellent hitter who has 762 career HRs. If you didn't like Bonds breaking the record, then you can't like this.

You can spin it and rationalize it all you want but in the end, the guy took HGH. Its a stain on his story, period. Do we throw him under the bus? Do we turn our back? No of course not. But we shouldn't be foolish or naive about this either. Let's hear from the man himself and then decide how to treat this. If he denies it, then I will be severely disappointed. If he comes clean or explains himself, its the end of the story in my book.

Let me get this straight...Rowand over Pujols??? Really, Tony?

by cardzfan24 on Sep 7, 2007 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the record...

And I'm not trying to defend Bonds or anything, I just prefer to see things reported accurately: Bonds never admitted to anything. He did say (as per Game of Shadows) that he used a creamy substance and a clear substance, which he said were flaxseed oil and an arthritic balm. He also said they were given to him by Greg Anderson, and claims that his boy Greg never had any reason to sneak him something illegal and lie to him...Well, thats what Barroids claims anyway, a story he's stuck to for years. So, technically, he never admitted to using it, as an admission includes someone intentionally coming clean on something they did in the past, instead of telling an extremly transparent lie (which this whole dealio is in my mind).

I'm not making excuses for the guy though...As far as I'm concerned, that line is a load of B.S. He also tested positive to amphetimines, according to a report that came out early this year. The guy, in my mind, is guilty as sin, but it will probably never be proven.

by redbirdnation8206 on Sep 7, 2007 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

What if he actually didn't do it? Should he admit to doing something he didn't do just to appease people who take whatever is said by the media at face value?

For the record, I read the article to, and I refuse to pass judgement as to its validity because I don't have access to the sources the article used. So as far as I can tell, he may have, he may not have. Lets say that this article is a load of bubbling crap, and Rick didn't take anything. What then? I too want to hear from Rick, but I want him to tell the truth. If he didn't do it, I want him to come out and tell the NY Daily News to shove it. If he did, I want him to admit it, not dodge it.

by redbirdnation8206 on Sep 7, 2007 10:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Meant to put that as a Reply To...oops

by redbirdnation8206 on Sep 7, 2007 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed RBN

Let's hope this organization learned something from the McGwire scandal and handles this forthrightly.

Let me get this straight...Rowand over Pujols??? Really, Tony?

by cardzfan24 on Sep 7, 2007 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2004

Ankiel hadn't even announced he was going to switch over the outfield until the spring of 2005. This was done BEFORE that. He probably took something when he was still a pitcher to recover faster. Not a big deal.

Do you think this story would have come out if Ankiel wasn't having this spectacular big league start to his hitting career. No. The HGH has nothing to do with his hitting, and if it weren't for his hitting there would be no story here. We're talking circles around this issue and to me it just doesn't seem relevant to anything.

"And that's a winner. A World Series winner for the Cardinals."

by Bird Watcher on Sep 7, 2007 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen

by rockin redbird on Sep 7, 2007 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm...

Looking at this from an extremely selfish, short-term point of view, what concerns me more (at the moment) is how this affects the outcome of this season.

My guess? The media avalanche that is sure to hit Ankiel will cause his abilities to suddenly "collapse", thereby taking the Cards' playoff chances with it.

Mentally, I just don't think this unbelievably resilient team (just look at the past two seasons!) can recover from this (IMO) final death blow.

I realize we're only a game out, but without Enc, should Ankiel collapse, the offense will be severely diminished.

by philbobilbo on Sep 7, 2007 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly

Who cares if Rick Ankiel used HGH? It apparently didn't help him in 2004. As long as he's hitting home runs and helping the team, I'm fine.

by KeepOnRolen on Sep 7, 2007 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Franklin; Troy Cate

Does their steroid use years ago put a taint on the seasons they've had this year?

I think we're tearing our clothing a bit too much over this.

by liam on Sep 7, 2007 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Difference is

Cate and Franklin are just peripheral players when it comes to this. If it was Puppy Kicker or Schu whose name was on the list instead of Ankiel's there wouldn't be anywhere near the uproar. I'm not condoning anything here, just stating the obvious.

by cardsrul on Sep 7, 2007 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs