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Post by stud on Sept 13, 2006 4:13:29 GMT -5
I know Doyel always gives props to the Hoyas during basketball season, but I've lost a lot of respect for him as a writer with his most recent article about Ryan Howard, 1B for the Philadelphia Phillies. www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9653616It is hard to trust players are clean less than 5 years removed from the peak of the Steroid Era, and with people like Jason Grimsley still making headlines. It's one thing to be wary and another thing to nearly accuse though. He entire argument is based off of two facts that don't prove anything. Yes, he's gained 20 lbs. since 2003 - when he was in single A. Doyel doesn't even mention Howard's family. According to the Philadelphia newspapers, he has two other non-athlete brothers and hes the smallest of them. Doyel also points out that since 2003 Howard has cut his HRs/ABs ratio in half - but that's what happens as power hitters refine their swing. From 1990-1993, Ken Griffey Jr. cut his HRs/ABs ratio from 1 every 27.1 ABs to 1 every 12.9 ABs, and hes arguably the greatest (clean) home run hitter of the 90s. I know I'm biased because I'm probably the biggest Phillies fan you will ever meet, but this just seems like very poor journalism to me. His whole premise is based on speculation and hollow facts that don't mean anything. I don't know if this is just me overreacting, or other people share my opinion. Any thoughts? |
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hoopsmccan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,420
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Post by hoopsmccan on Sept 13, 2006 9:20:23 GMT -5
I'm glad you are willing to drink the Howard Kool-aid, because he finished up all the juice...
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Filo
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,910
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Post by Filo on Sept 13, 2006 9:39:29 GMT -5
I don't think it was a bad article. I agree he could have included the additional information you mention. But on the whole, he is simply writing what many people are asking - is he cheating or isn't he? I don't think the article implies that he is. Then again, I am biased because I am a Mets fan stuck living in the Phila. area (but I like Howard and hope he is clean 'cause he seems like a nice guy).
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Elvado
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,080
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Post by Elvado on Sept 13, 2006 10:07:39 GMT -5
I feel your pain. Howard seems like a nice kid (unlike Utley who strikes me as a jackass) and is probably just a big old farm boy who can hit like hell.
However, he should wear an apron and carry a cleaver in the field. He is a born DH. And as the Philies fans chant MVP, I'm quite sure it's for Make Vacation Plans, as that team has no shot.
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Gold Hoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,578
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Post by Gold Hoya on Sept 13, 2006 11:46:38 GMT -5
I initially thought Howard was just Frank Thomas. However, this sounds a little like a non-denial denial:
Show me the HGH test, Ryan.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2006 12:32:55 GMT -5
The problem baseball (and other sports) faces is that no reliable test for hGH is currently available.
Also, while it is illegal to possess hGH in all but a few rare (read: medical) instances, baseball does not classify it as a controlled substance the way it does anabolic steroids. So while it is illegal in society, it is not illegal in baseball. Way to go, Bud.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2006 13:25:30 GMT -5
It's a bunch of crap and is only an issue because he's quickly approaching 60. What if he only hit 50 for the year? Would it not be a problem if he were juiced then? Or is it okay for everyone to be juiced until they might reach some magic number?
Jim Thome (who is mentioned in this article) is never brought up as potentially juiced, but is always talked about as clean-as-a-whistle-good-ol'-country-boy-strong-because-he-grew-up-chopping-wood. Probably because his career high in homers is 52. If he had 52 by Labor Day, people would suddenly be throwing him uder the bus, too.
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Gold Hoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,578
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Post by Gold Hoya on Sept 13, 2006 14:04:37 GMT -5
Sammy Sosa grew up shining shoes!
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FormerHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,262
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Post by FormerHoya on Sept 13, 2006 18:21:55 GMT -5
I know Doyel always gives props to the Hoyas during basketball season, but I've lost a lot of respect for him as a writer with his most recent article about Ryan Howard, 1B for the Philadelphia Phillies. www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9653616It is hard to trust players are clean less than 5 years removed from the peak of the Steroid Era, and with people like Jason Grimsley still making headlines. It's one thing to be wary and another thing to nearly accuse though. He entire argument is based off of two facts that don't prove anything. Yes, he's gained 20 lbs. since 2003 - when he was in single A. Doyel doesn't even mention Howard's family. According to the Philadelphia newspapers, he has two other non-athlete brothers and hes the smallest of them. Doyel also points out that since 2003 Howard has cut his HRs/ABs ratio in half - but that's what happens as power hitters refine their swing. From 1990-1993, Ken Griffey Jr. cut his HRs/ABs ratio from 1 every 27.1 ABs to 1 every 12.9 ABs, and hes arguably the greatest (clean) home run hitter of the 90s. I know I'm biased because I'm probably the biggest Phillies fan you will ever meet, but this just seems like very poor journalism to me. His whole premise is based on speculation and hollow facts that don't mean anything. I don't know if this is just me overreacting, or other people share my opinion. Any thoughts? Unless you are a racehorse, your handle screams d-bag. |
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Post by stud on Sept 13, 2006 21:25:07 GMT -5
actually its a joke from intramural football that somehow stuck. TBirds girlfriend came up with it, and him and 007 told me to use it here. but thanks for your opinion.
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FormerHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,262
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Post by FormerHoya on Sept 13, 2006 21:44:45 GMT -5
Nothing personal.
I guess I musta forgot the emoticon.
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Post by stud on Sept 13, 2006 22:37:04 GMT -5
No worries, I was actually surprised no one commented on it before.
Back to baseball though, one of the 'what ifs' that it pains me to think about is what if Roger Maris put up his stats in today's environment? Excluding his 61 season, his highest HR total is 39, and the next highest are 33 and 28. That would have people screaming steroids/HGH today. Its a shame that, at least for the near future, no young players will be able to have a breakout power-surge season without being looked at with skepticism.
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SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,744
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Post by SFHoya99 on Sept 14, 2006 16:07:47 GMT -5
I think it is an excellent article and very fair to Howard. To be honest, it is exactly how I feel about Ryan Howard. He could be clean, but there is no way to tell.
The only thing it is really missing is that his home stadium is ridiculously easy to hit home runs in and is probably inflating his total by 5% or more. That isn't that much, but it still plays a factor. Coors Field used to be around a 130 for HRs, I think, which inflated some players 15% (7 or 8 HRs).
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,212
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Post by hoyarooter on Sept 14, 2006 21:11:37 GMT -5
I think it is an excellent article and very fair to Howard. To be honest, it is exactly how I feel about Ryan Howard. He could be clean, but there is no way to tell. The only thing it is really missing is that his home stadium is ridiculously easy to hit home runs in and is probably inflating his total by 5% or more. That isn't that much, but it still plays a factor. Coors Field used to be around a 130 for HRs, I think, which inflated some players 15% (7 or 8 HRs). I assume that's before the Rockies started putting the balls in humidors. Maybe every team should do that. Bring back the dead ball era! |
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