Comments on: Romero Suspended 50 Games For ‘Negligence’ In Taking Drug

By: J cole

J cole — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:22:45 +0000

This is amazing. Shows how great the players’ union protects it’s players (isn’t that the purpose of a union?). Having met Romero prior, I think he is as honest as possible about this. Getting two seperate opinions. If he is being punished, shouldn’t the players’ union be held responsible to some extent for leading the players to believe that those supplements were safe?
Just as a Phillies fan, I am really upset because of the great success the team had this year, and Romero had, it now has a cloud about it. It wouldn’t be philly otherwise.

By: tarheelphan

tarheelphan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:43:23 +0000

This is indeed a tricky issue. To call these supplements “FDA-regulated” isn’t quite accurate and I feel horrible that Romero has to be the one to illustrate the gigantic black hole in regulation. Congress intentionally made it difficult for the FDA to police these supplements when they passed the DSHEA in 1994. Only AFTER one of these supplements has been shown to contain an illegal product or cause illness or death can they step in (like the supplement that killed that Orioles pitcher a few years ago). If Congress wants to have hearings, they might start with some soul searching for allowing products like 6-OXO Extreme to be on the market.

By: Mike B.

Mike B. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:13:35 +0000

KB, you’re absolutely right. I’ve been short of temper lately, and I’m also new to the world of internet fans and sites like this. I’m sorry everyone; it doesn’t take a lot to set me off these days.

I still stand by what I said about the time Romero’s missing. 50 games is a lot for a team, but it’s not as devastating because he isn’t a position player or starting pitcher, and this year we actually have bullpen depth to counter the loss. With that said, if this suspension had come in the first fifty games of last year, the Phils would have been done.

I wonder if his missing time will mean he’s available more to pitch after his suspension. Like, instead of his normally pitching about 60 games from June to October like he did last year, I wonder if he’d still be able to pitch 70 or maybe even 80 games after he comes back because of less wear and tear on his body from not having pitched the first two months. 70 doesn’t seem unreasonable to me, as long as he keeps himself in pitching shape.

By: DAVE

DAVE — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:28:19 +0000

No, no one ever cheats. It’s always someone else’s fault. Blame MLB. Blame the drug administration. Blame the GNC store. Blame the company that made the supplement. Blame the nutritionist. Anything to shield blame away from those beloved Phillies players who can never do anything wrong or immoral.

CHEATERS!

By: rob

rob — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:10:49 +0000

One reason that performance enhancing drugs are banned in professional sports is so that young athletes don’t use them. Since 6-OXO sounds like it’s available off the shelf to just anyone and is currently completely legal, not only are Romero and the Phillies getting screwed, but the whole thing amounts to a lot of free publicity for 6-OXO.

With all this noise about it, the kids are going to sweep this stuff off the shelves! Good work keeping the kids clean, MLB!

By: NJ

NJ — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:35:33 +0000

I’m a little behind here but can someone please tell me how the suspension will hold up on appeal? If he was tested and found guilty of using a substance then legal two months before players were notifide it was band how can the suspension be held up?

If he isn’t available for the first third of the season- Joe Biemel behind Scott Eyre, problem is that creates a roster clog when Romero returns…

By: joshua

joshua — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:32:34 +0000

^^ I agree. it’s just 50 games and he’s a reliever, it shouldn’t matter much.

By: KB

KB — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:55:14 +0000

Get over yourself Mike B. If this story was about Sanchez or Feliciano, the Phils’ trolls would be all over the Mets blog saying the same things. Remember the Mets clubhouse employee that plead guilty to distributing banned substances? Yeah, the Phils trolls were coming out of the woodwork on metsblog.com. Welcome to sports fans on the Internet. Stop crying and get over it.

That said, I feel sorry for Romero. All accounts indicate he was trying to do the right thing, but didn’t take the crucial step and check with MLB. Ouch. Looks like he is being a scapegoat and that sucks.

By: Grrrumpy Miner

Grrrumpy Miner — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:21:07 +0000

Phil…first of all as a Mets fan,I have no comment on the JC Romero situation.Is he wrong? Not for me to answer for I am not a judge or jury.Bottom line,Phils have nothing to worry about.Treat this situation like an “injury” and have him do extended spring training.The Phils pen is a strong pen and will be just fine.So certain people should stop whining because it is what it is.

By: Brooks

Brooks — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:13:46 +0000

The actions of the MLBPA are unfounded, unfair. When they realized that there are some traces of banned substances on OTC supplements sold at stores to the general public, that they themselves once had sanctioned, instead of publicly accusing (by implied punishment, there is the implication of guilt) Romero of any wrong-doing, they instead should have publicly denounced this drug and privately contacted the players who were found to have used this drug alerting them of the new developments and that they should cease usage immediately or face stiff consequences. Instead, they chose the path that makes them look the ultimate fool, especially when they optioned to Romero if he admits guilt (guilt of what?) his suspension will be reduced.
How childish.
This is a man who made a decision, based on facts, based on acknowledgement from his trainers to continue a plan that would in good faith assist him in his daily training rituals. This foolishness needs to be stopped in its tracks. Bud Selig needs to be deposed and Romero exonerated. But it should not stop there. Court action should be initiated against the MLBPA policy makers for slander, even if implied.