Phillies Nation

47 Responses to “Amaro On Romero: “We Care””

1. KidCarnivore Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

   Amaro did very little to support Romero at any point in the interview.

2. GM-Carson Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

   This is all so ridiculous. By all accounts it seems Romero did nothing wrong, yet is being pegged the scapegoat.

3. JohnKruksLoveChild Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm

   Once again in our society, the criminals get off scott free, and the people trying to stick to the law get indiscriminately hammered. It’s the same from MLB to the SEC/Madoff scandal, or the BART shooting in Frisco.

   Barry Bonds blatantly takes steroids and we all just have to sit and watch as he gets accolades for break records. But JC takes an over the counter supplement he was told was fine, and he’s out for almost half a season.

   Good job MLB, you’ve proven you are just an inept and corrupt as the rest of this country’s institutions. At least the Phils could have the guts to stand up for their own players and tell the League to shove it.

4. scot Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

   I understand Tim’s wishes that we don’t jump all over Ruben here. So, I won’t throw Ruben completely under the bus. I’ll just say I was very disappointed with Ruben’s comments today.

5. ryan Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

   Amaro should be embarassed at his statement. it shows absolutely no sympathy for JC.

6. KB Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm

   The fact that he DID check two channels makes me believe he WAS suspicious of what he was buying. If he wasn’t at all suspicious, why bother checking with anyone?

7. Don M Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

   Would you like him to bash MLB instead and have them watch the Phillies organization under a microscope instead?? Or just have Amaro comment the way he did…

   Romero is the one that messed up… nobody forced him to take any performance enhancers, legal or otherwise, … you need to know what you are putting into your body. Without a list of products that are 100% approved, and provided by MLB you run the risk by buying other products.

   Its the fault of MLB and Romero.. but Ruben Amaro is playing his cards right by not attacking either, or laying too much blame

8. Manny Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm

   Even more BS! The icing on the cake!

9. rob Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

   If you bought it at the darn MALL, and both your channels said it was okay, then that’s plenty enough to convince yourself it’s legal. It’s a bottle of pills today, it could be a can of Red Bull, a cup of coffee, or a bowl of Wheaties tomorrow!

   “So, I won’t throw Ruben completely under the bus.”

   Fine… then throw him halfway under it!

10. Fran Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    Amaro can’t really say much. He has to be careful what he says. I’m sure he stand behind Romero 100%

11. KidCarnivore Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    It’s not that Amaro has to slam MLB, but he’s gotta be more supportive of JC than just saying “we care about (him”.

12. lilgartrn Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    This is a cluster -f%$ck any way you slice it – MLB is only concerned with avoiding another Balco, which is fine – but confusing a Roger Clemens and his used syringe toting trainer, with a guy (romero) who actually looked into making sure what he was taking was on the up and up is ridiculous.

    If this guy were in any way guilty, he would have taken the 25 days no question – just stinks because now he has to pay for sticking to his guns…..

13. NJ Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    The organisation can only be somewhat supportive if Romero wasn’t taking his punishment without appealing. There has to be more to it here, Romero whether we like it or not has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar but has massive grounds for appeal and I cannot understand why he’s ‘taking on for the team’ here.

    This does present quite a strong bullpen issue, Eyre can more than handle the tough lefties but if we haven’t got Zagurski available then whoever comes in has to have minor league options or there’s a massive clog in the pen once Romero returns. (on the otherhand that’s a third of a seasons rest for one of your best pitchers going into the real slog part of the year)

    This isn’t the end of the world, just don’t like seeing one of our own getting pegged a cheat like one of the ‘Mitchel boys’, no retroactive suspensions were handed out there if I can remember rightly and wasn’t Mike Cameron’s usage worse? Got to feel for JC here.

14. mets09 Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    JohnKruck, First Madoff had nothing to with sec anymore. There was no institution being corrupt.just a jerk. I have a hard time believing excuses these players give because seemingly they all lie at first,but it really doesnt matter. If its true he found out after he failed that it may be banned then that is rediculous. I wouldnt think he does not deserve this ,but honestly if hes a good pitcher he will come back in june and be fine.

15. mets09 Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    wouldnt think he does* deserve this. my bad

16. Chuck P Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    Mets… the SEC was at Bernie Madoff’s twice over the past 12 months and found nothing… literally… no money in his client’s account, no legitimate auditing company to speak of and unfortunately nothing wrong with his fraudulent client reports. I am in the investment business and when the SEC knocks on our door, we have our stones turned upside-down. It seems to me that the SEC is just as responsible as Madoff (pronounced “Made-Off, as in he made off with your money)… like the Union is just as responsible as Romero for telling the players that substances bought at retail outlets were ok…

    Citing the letter from the Union…

    “We have previously told you there is no reason to believe a supplement bought at a U.S. based retail store could cause you to test positive under our Drug Program. That is no longer true. We have recently learned of three substances which can be bought over the counter at stores in the United States that will cause you to test positive. These three supplements were purchased at a GNC and Vitamin Shoppe in the U.S.”

17. Tom Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    JOE BEIMEL!!!!

18. Don M Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    Zagurski BLOWS… he only came up because he was a guy who could throw strikes… problem is.. in the big leagues Strikes with no movement get POUNDED hence a 5.91 ERA

    his 2007 vs LH is a WHIP of 1.03, and BatAvg Against of .216 which are both very good

    Vs. RH though he gets rocked, WHIP 2.34, BAA of .340 !!!

    So he could be a LH-only guy.. and you just NEVER let him face RH…but there have to be guys that are better overall, whether someone else on the farm, or making a move.. personally I think Eyre, and Durbin can get the job done in the 7th

19. Mark Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 5:54 pm

    Hey NJ,

    How could one’s hand be “caught in the cookie jar” if that person asked more than one person?

    I agree with someones statement above. Do nothing about Barry Bonds but exploit innocent JC for taking an over the counter pill. Ridiculous.

    MLB should be ashamed of themselves.

20. Georgie Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    For once I agree with Don, JC was obviously looking for a “supplement”that would enhance his physical abilities but was not banned, the fact that he had it checked by two sources tells the tale. As I said before, if there is a 1% chance it’s going to be questioned, don’t take the damn stuff, it’s really that simple. If no one takes anything, it’s an even playing field, as it shoud be, and the players’ natural abilities will shine.

21. JohnKruksLoveChild Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    The thing is METS09, my point goes beyond just being a fan of a particular team. Ya know, I get it, you’re a Mets fan trolling the site, but what you said makes no sense. There have already been several articles pointing out that the SEC was made aware of Madoff years ago and did nothing. As I said, it’s an illustration of how corrupt and out of control things have gotten in our society. Forget the Mets/Phils hate, does any fan of baseball really think the MLB has done a fair and respectable job of handling drug abuse ? It’s a disgrace, and this is just another example of their incompetence.

    If this scandal happened to Johan Santana, I would feel the exact same way. No player should have to be disgraced and their team penalized when they clearly make an effort to stay within the boundries of the rules. Some people said “well, why would he even risk it”, well the reality is everyone is doing everything they can to be at the top of their game.

    If you find that taking supplements helps you get into shape, and you see something new that might be more efficient, and you check to make sure it’s legit, how is there wrong doing ? Does anyone expect players to just stop taking everything because it MIGHT show up as a banned substance ? Sorry but that completely ignores the reality.

    And sure, Amaro is going to play it safe, especially since he is new to being in charge. But if had said, “We fully stand behind JC and hope that justice is served when the case has been fully vetted and ruled upon”. What is the harm in that ? It shows that you support your player, will defend him, but that you respect the process.

22. Don M Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:22 pm

    The case has already been ruled upon though… so what else could he have said. He stands behind all of his players.. they all like being in this organization, especially Romero because we gave him a chance when no other teams would

23. Manny Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    I completely agree with your points, JohnKruksLoveChild.

24. mets09 Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    kruk, who are you to question my baseball love. That has nothing to to with anything. And your reasoning for why he would risk it. “well the reality is everyone is doing everything they can to be at the top of their game.” Well that is not the way it should be. They should be at the top of their game by working out and eating right. Not trying to find the next legal enhancer. This may be your reality or w.e. ,but it just shouldnt be like that. And i know many of your “baseball” fans would agree with that.

    Ignore the problem and accept reality if we lived life like that shit would be messed up.So according to your logic thats better then how the MLB is trying to stop all use, clearly evident by suspending players who take legal vitamins.

25. Don M Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    I only take Centrum A-to-Z ….and I’ll pee in anything

26. Georgie Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    Amaro does not strike me as the warm and fuzzy type, I’m not surprised at all by his response.

    The thing about new/reformulated supplements that is bothersome is, aren’t they always coming up with stuff that stays one step ahead of the drug tests? How are the leagues supposed to police something that is changing every couple months or so? I’m not saying Selig and Co are right , just that this whole issue has become almost uncontrollable.

27. Chuck P Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Don’t be naive… people take supplements for many reasons. In sports, dietary supplements are critical. It’s about money… it’s about the investment of a franchise in a player. The players become critical components of a well-oiled machine and every part needs to be oiled and maintained. The players are expected to do whatever they can within the boundaries of the game to ensure that they achieve results for their franchise… return on investment. They wouldn’t need a nutritionist if it wasn’t the way it is… and I don’t think that will ever change.

28. mets09 Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    we are not naive. We are well aware it goes on it just shouldn’t. And if all the players didnt take any supplements then it would be fair again and the players can all achieve for their respective teams.

29. mets09 Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    according to chucks post

30. Don M Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    One thing is certain, the Mets will suck again in 2009

31. Chuck P Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    If all the players didn’t take any supplements… but that’s never going to happen… that’s like saying that life was better when we didn’t have computers. Life is about progress. We try to find ways to be more productive… as long as those methods aren’t harmful, we accept them. That’s why steroids are banned… not because they make guys more productive; by itself, that’s alright. It’s because they are harmful.

32. Georgie Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    They are talking about this on DNL, the doctor they have on said this particular supplement lowers estrogen levels and raises testosterone, and that in conjunction with working out will definitely improve strength and performance. He said it changes once it’s in the body, and they are constantly coming up with new formulations that will pass drug testing.

33. NJ Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    Not big on Zaguski either but we add a Joe Beimel or someone of that level and someones headed for the door when Romero returns. I agree the middle relief crew can get the job done and Eyre can be the primary lefty, though that second lefty could pay divident as shown when Charlie had the safety net of Eyre to save Romero.

    Mike- I say he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar as he’s been suspended and isn’t appealing, after reading his statements though he was on thin ice under the circumstances he hasn’t intentionally broken the rules to get an edge. Major League Baseball has to define a line between what is acceptable to get through the day-to-day grind and what is doping and Romero falls under the first catagory.

    Sounds like the same goes for Mitre, when a player on any team gets suspended you want to know the reasons are clear and concrete. If Major League Baseball wants to be aggressive with drugs it has to be clear with its plan of action and let everyone know where they stand the minute a decision is made.

    How hard is it to madate that an updated banned substance list is sent to the clubs as soon as a ’suppliment’ is classified. If the clubs have the information and responsibility to inform the players its black and white what happens from that point.

34. NJ Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    ^Rather than Biemel or Ohman better names under the circumstances would be Villone or Mercker, you just want someone disposable there to throw some situation middle-relief and let Eyre do the tough work until Romero’s back.

35. Chuck P Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    I’m sure that Amaro’s not that upset because he doesn’t have to pay Romero’s full salary… in the end, if we can get by for half of the season with what we have, the Phillies are $1.5 million ahead of the game.

36. Mike B. Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    What I find most fascinating is that on December 31, Selig and MLBPA chief Fehr met with Henry Waxman and Tom Davis – the guys who headed the Clemens and MacNamee interrogations in Congress. What they say here is VERY interesting.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3802719

    From the article: “Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Tom Davis, R-Va., leaders of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent letters in June to…Selig and Fehr, saying information in the Mitchell Report raised questions about their statements during a March 2005 hearing. In the June letters, Waxman and Davis wrote about ‘two pieces of new information about the MLB testing program that was in effect in 2004′: ‘that the random testing program was suspended for a large part of the 2004 baseball season” and ‘that players may have been told of upcoming tests.’

    ‘Baseball and the players’ union provided additional information that clarified the record, and I am satisfied with their response,’ Waxman said this week in a statement. ‘The game has made important progress in its efforts to end the use of performance-enhancing drugs, and I hope that the league and the players will continue those efforts,’ he said.”]

    Tim, I know you wrote “Romero was merely the fall guy in a complete collapse of communication between the league and the MLB Players Association,” but doesn’t it seem suspicious to anyone else that this lapse in communication happened just about one month after Ferh and Selig received those letters from Congressmen Waxman and Davis? In those June letters, Waxman and Davis objected to evidence which pointed to players being warned about drug tests. Well, this was quite the opposite – the players weren’t even warned about the banning of this supplement until after the fact, but no one could say that there was no warning system because of the hot-line. What better way to demonstrate that MLB has reversed course by showing them to be doing the exact opposite of what they allegedly did in 2004? And this is perfect because then the MLB brass can say it was the players’ responsibility to find out officially, because after all, MLB and the MLBPA have no control and absolutely have abhorred the use of performance enhancing drugs. It’s always the players responsibility to take care of their bodies – if they don’t, the brass will argue, they can pay the price.

    Does anyone else find it most fascinating that they were satisfied with this “additional information” and “clarification”? Anyone else want to wager that the additional information was Romero’s suspension? This congressional intervention angle, it all makes sense. The arbitrator apparently had a change of heart and ruled Romero’s guilt in December – given that this meeting between Bud, Fehr and the congressmen took place on the last day of December, it’s not a stretch to think that this “sudden change of heart” came with this upcoming follow-up session to answer Waxman’s and Davis’s questions in mind from above.

    So Tim, in a way, you were right. Romero WAS a fall guy. But he only had to pay the price to demonstrate that MLB is doing the right thing now.

37. NJ Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    MLB isn’t really doing the right thing now there just trying to be seen to be doing the right thing. I’m really surprised the MLBPA isn’t throwing a tantrum here under the circumstances, there’s nothing to stop the League Office from making coffee illegal and making anyone who was on a caffine high eligable for suspension.

    You’d just think the MLBPA would be saying we’re not say ‘drug use’ should be tollerated but if your going to suspend a player make sure the boundries are clearly marked.

38. Mike B. Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    That was my point – in the eyes of outsiders, they do seem to be doing the right thing. That was the whole point of this, if I’m right – to make it seem that they are taking responsibility, and any further failures are the players fault. I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this one is entirely possible. I don’t think Waxman ordered it, but I do think Selig and Fehr did it to save their jobs and MLB’s anti-trust exemption. Selig and Fehr both need to be deposed, because neither of them have done any more than try to make themselves look good.

    If it were a normal players union, I’d see it, but Selig and Fehr have been such cowards that rather than risk looking bad but also doing the right thing, they throw Romero under the bus without a fair warning. If he’d been warned and still took it, yeah, his fault. But this is the “more than meets the eye” thing – a desperate attempt at PR by Selig and Fehr. They make me sick.

39. Mike B. Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    And in all the history of the 50-game suspensions, has MLB EVER given anyone the chance to admit guilt and receive only a 25 game suspension? I highly doubt it. But it makes sense that Romero was offered the deal because then MLB could say, “look, we caught someone cheating during the World Series and we stepped in then and made him confess his guilt. Not only are we stopping performance-enhancing drug use, we’re also changing the culture of baseball by making someone confess on the biggest stage. We will even stop cheaters during the World Series, who cares that it may cost the Phillies their ring?”

    And Congress would love that – Selig and Fehr would never hear from Capitol Hill again and people would start trusting MLB more than they do now. The image of Selig’s bumbling, sweating congressional testimony would forever be replaced with that of a no-nonsense commissioner whose strict, swift justice was very much along the lines of the NFL’s Roger Goodell. And then everyone would forget that this man would sell a Pinto to a bumper cart track. Am I making sense?

40. Georgie Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    The people at csnphilly got hold of a bottle of 60-OXO-E-X-Treme that JC took, it says right on the bottle that it lowers estrogen levels. Now, isn’t that what steroids do? Maybe it’s because I’m female, but I would NEVER take something that messed with hormones, they are effed up enough on their own. Whoever told JC it was ok should be in some deep shit right about now. Is it fair that JC gets suspended 50 games? Ultimately, he’s the one getting tested, not the trainer, and he tested positive-unfortunately, he has to pay for others’ mistakes, mainly the MLBPA for not being diligent in their awareness of what is banned and relaying that info in a timely manner to the teams.

    Um, just wondering, since most of you are guys, would you take something called 60-OXO-E-X-Treme? I’m curious…

41. Manny Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    I would Georgie… I’ve taken several supplements with weird names like “X-plode” and “X-treme”. It just adds to the drama but no big deal.

42. Georgie Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    Really Manny? I hesitate to ask what they do-”X-plode”??? LOL!!!

43. NJ Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    Maybe their the kind that make you grow boobs like Meatloaf in Fight Club…

44. mike Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    Am I the only one who is still in a post-world series daze and am not really worried about this? In the overall scheme its less than 1/3 of the season, the first third which the phillies normally lag, so if Utley, Feliz, and Romero all start the season June 1, while we’re hovering over .500 and then go on a tear from June-October, I think we’ll be fine.

    sidenote: How odd does Pat look in that digitially affixed Rays hat (and turtleneck)

45. Chuck P Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    I played football in college and took many supplements to give me an edge in the weightroom… stopped short of steroids but there were many that didn’t. I would occasionally ask a teammate for something that would give me a boost (hydroxycut with ephedrine); I didn’t like it because it made me feel a little edgy and after one of my teammates suffered a minor heart attack, I never asked for one again… there’s a reason ephedrine is now a banned substance. Most of the supplements that I took were post-lifting supplements to retain muscle mass and replenish the body (creatine, protein, glutamine).

    Someone brought up the idea of creating a list of approved substances… I like that idea… actually, baseball could take it one step further and completely govern the supply of drugs and supplements. They could make money by supplying teams with MLB approved substances as requested from a list of approved substances… if anyone is caught taking a substance that is not on the list, they have no excuses. If they want to have something added to the list, it has to go through a rigorous testing/approval process. That’s a bold statement… baseball saying, “we’re taking full control of what is going into our players’ bodies.” No need to step foot in GNC…

46. Jason B Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:09 am

    You know, after digesting this whole ordeal, something occurred to me. This makes the Chan- Ho Park signing a much bigger deal than originally. Unless the Phils trade for or sign a reliever, Park may take over Romero’s role in the pen.

47. Jason B Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 12:12 am

    mike: Burrell is big on turtle necks!

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