Can These Players "Accidentally" Take a Banned Substance?

@FourWalls (86703)
United States
April 18, 2017 8:52pm CST
Surprise, surprise. Another new baseball season, another player suspended for taking a banned PED. In this case, it's Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Starling Marte, who will now sit for 80 games without pay after testing positive for Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid that is banned under the MLB policy on performance-enhancing drugs. I did a quick Google search on this (and yes, I know that reading the highlights from a Google search is like reading a Bobbsey Twins book then trying to write a Ph.D. dissertation on twin births), and this doesn't seem to be an accident. According to the health websites, the drug does have legitimate medical purposes other than a PED; namely, treating anemia. The Pittsburgh newspaper says that a variation of Nandrolone is what Roger Clemens was busted for. Marte offered no plan to appeal, just an apology. It makes me wonder: can these multimillion-dollar superstars "accidentally" take a banned substance? It would seem to me that it's impossible; or, maybe, extremely improbable. Consider that every player knows the rules. It's like Pete Rose: he knew that betting on baseball was a no-no. It's posted in every clubhouse. He opted to violate that rule, and he's living with the consequences. This isn't a "double secret probation" rule: since the "steroid era" of the late 80s, 90s, and early 00s, everybody -- even people who are barely interested in baseball (or any other sport) -- knows there are rules against using PEDs. I mean, we all know it's against the law to steal; so how much more is that emphasized in places like banks and the post office? Then consider that their doctors -- both team physicians and "civilian" doctors -- must know that these substances are not allowed in his line of work. I can get prednisone easily, but I'm an asthmatic, I'm not a baseball player, prednisone is a standard prescription for severe or prolonged asthma attacks, and it's not a PED. If I walked into my doctor's office and told her I wanted testosterone instead of prednisone, do you think she'd give it to me? Then how much more a professional athlete, who is subjected to regular and random drug tests? I hate to be a pessimist, but in this day and age, especially given all the "handlers" these superstars in sports have, I just don't see any player "accidentally" getting a banned substance. Marte, according to MLB's network broadcast, is going to lose $2.5 million out of a $31 million contract, and maybe he thinks the risk was worth it. With all of the information that's available to players -- including advice on what's legal and not legal from team doctors and MLB Players Union representatives -- it's too hard to consider this an "accident." Here's a song about those over-the-counter drugs that might get people in trouble:
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6 people like this
4 responses
@teamfreak16 (43595)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Apr 17
Cyclists have all sorts of excuses for "accidentally" taking banned substances. Floyd Landis: Drank Jack Daniels Alberto Contador: Tainted steak Tyler Hamilton: Stillborn twin brother And the list goes on.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86703)
• United States
19 Apr 17
I'm surprised we haven't heard "I accidentally stepped on a hypodermic needle" (referencing your Al Jourgensen story with "Everyday is Halloween")....
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43595)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Apr 17
@FourWalls - Give it time!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382100)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 17
Surely there is no longer any excuse for a player to plead ignorance.
1 person likes this
@amnabas (14877)
• Karachi, Pakistan
19 Apr 17
How come accidently? Do they already have those substances in the pantry.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Apr 17
Marte is the biggest busted star since A-Rod and Bonds. That cooks the Pirates hopes.
1 person likes this