MLB at Congress - Page 9

Slackker · 03-17-2005, 09:01 PM

I guess I'm reserving my opinion about these hearings until it's all said and done. If they wind up forcing a steroid policy into baseball that actually would make a difference.. I'm all for it. Unfortunately I have serious doubts that anything will come of this. Then again.. that can be said for anything our government does. It's rarely productive.

Really, the only thing I agree with is when Bunning said the current agreement is more of a band-aid than anything else. They did just enough for a lot of people to say "Hey, it's a step.". Hell with steps.

Baseball will never be pure. Probably never has been. Spitballs, corked bats, greenies, steroids, gambling. Another problem will replace this one. Oh well.

dougaiton · 03-17-2005, 09:03 PM

This is an utter farce of the worst order.

You know who we should be worrying about? 35-year old fathers who take steroids to stay on the roster, 28-year old men who are out of baseball and nothing but a low sperm count to show from it, 21-year olds who are loading up during college to get drafted, and 15 year olds who are loading up to get to college.

Why the ****ing **** call up big-names only? Because you, Jim Bunning, are nothing more than cockmunching racist who happened to be an excellent pitcher, and you never got used to being out of the spotlight.

Every player who gets deposed today, I'm going to root for tomorrow. Hell, those guys at the McCarthy trials may well have been selling secrets to the USSR for all I cared, but the sheer blindness of the persecutors puts me on the accused's side.

EagleEye_0 · 03-17-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

This is an utter farce of the worst order.

You know who we should be worrying about? 35-year old fathers who take steroids to stay on the roster, 28-year old men who are out of baseball and nothing but a low sperm count to show from it, 21-year olds who are loading up during college to get drafted, and 15 year olds who are loading up to get to college.

Why the ****ing **** call up big-names only? Because you, Jim Bunning, are nothing more than cockmunching racist who happened to be an excellent pitcher, and you never got used to being out of the spotlight.

Every player who gets deposed today, I'm going to root for tomorrow. Hell, those guys at the McCarthy trials may well have been selling secrets to the USSR for all I cared, but the sheer blindness of the persecutors puts me on the accused's side.

Did you actually watch the parts before the players came on? I am finding this is a common opinion of those who skipped the first few hours.

asamford · 03-17-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slackker

Then again.. that can be said for anything our government does. It's rarely productive.

yep. they suck big fat hairy smelly ass balls.

and it starts from the top.

garbage in, garbage out.

Jonzard · 03-17-2005, 09:07 PM

Anyone want to explain why Frank Thomas was there? I saw the rest of the players, and they made sense why they were there. Why Frank Thomas?

Slackker · 03-17-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asamford

yep. they suck big fat hairy smelly ass balls.

and it starts from the top.

garbage in, garbage out.

So basically what you're saying is that within government there exists a pyramid?

dougaiton · 03-17-2005, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleEye_0

Did you actually watch the parts before the players came on? I am finding this is a common opinion of those who skipped the first few hours.

Yes. Well, that about blows that line out of the water!1111

Crapshoot · 03-17-2005, 09:09 PM

What a load of ****. Seriously.

EagleEye_0 · 03-17-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

Yes. Well, that about blows that line out of the water!1111

It blows what line out of the water? I said that is a common opinion of those who missed the first few hours. Since you saw them, that statement doesn't apply to you, but it doesn't make the statement any more or less accurate.

Jonzard · 03-17-2005, 09:13 PM

BTW if anyone here voted for Bernard Sanders of Vermont........ Give me your address so I can come smack you around for a while.

darkhorse · 03-17-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonzard

BTW if anyone here voted for Bernard Sanders of Vermont........ Give me your address so I can come smack you around for a while.

Will you be serving slapjacks?

jaxmagicman · 03-17-2005, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aadik

What a load of ****. Seriously.

This may be the only time in the history of this board that I totally agree with you.

dougaiton · 03-17-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleEye_0

It blows what line out of the water? I said that is a common opinion of those who missed the first few hours. Since you saw them, that statement doesn't apply to you, but it doesn't make the statement any more or less accurate.

The tone was what I objected to. To me, it sounded a bit off, as if it was an attempt to dismiss my viewpoint (which I presume is why you asked, no?), such as saying 'I find that people who think this is worthwhile, or that think Palmeiro has done better than McGwire because his lawyers advised him differently, are the same guys as those watching the Jackson trial to see how guilty he is'.

EagleEye_0 · 03-17-2005, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

The tone was what I objected to. To me, it sounded a bit off, as if it was an attempt to dismiss my viewpoint (which I presume is why you asked, no?), such as saying 'I find that people who think this is worthwhile, or that think Palmeiro has done better than McGwire because his lawyers advised him differently, are the same guys as those watching the Jackson trial to see how guilty he is'.

Understood. Tone is not always projected properly over the internet, so I apologize. My intent was not to have a my way or the high way view point. I'm just trying to express my opinion of what I have seen.

I found Palmeiro to be genuine and McGwire to not. And it's not just because he didn't answer. Of course, I could be dead wrong, but that's the impression I got.

dougaiton · 03-17-2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleEye_0

Understood. Tone is not always projected properly over the internet, so I apologize. My intent was not to have a my way or the high way view point. I'm just trying to express my opinion of what I have seen.

I found Palmeiro to be genuine and McGwire to not. And it's not just because he didn't answer. Of course, I could be dead wrong, but that's the impression I got.

And neither is it always read correctly! The mistake was at my end. Apologies right backatcha!

To be subjective, I thought Palmeiro was strident and all, but then who heck knows what the repurcussions of this all might be? Bans? Loss of earnings? Voiding of huge contract with the Orioles?

He is still playing, after all.

McGwire had talked to his lawyers, who advised him to keep schtum, as well they might. As it stands, McGwire is, for the most part, untouchable. While his performance today might not help him get to the HOF, it will help a lot more than 'yes I did', or 'no, I didn't' + increasing revelations.

EagleEye_0 · 03-17-2005, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

McGwire had talked to his lawyers, who advised him to keep schtum, as well they might. As it stands, McGwire is, for the most part, untouchable. While his performance today might not help him get to the HOF, it will help a lot more than 'yes I did', or 'no, I didn't' + increasing revelations.

I agree, and I have no problem with him not answering some of the questions.

To me however, there were quite a few questions that wouldn't have involved McGwire talking about whether he used and no one asked him to name any names. The fact that he avoided every single question bothered me.

Skipaway · 03-17-2005, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonzard

Anyone want to explain why Frank Thomas was there? I saw the rest of the players, and they made sense why they were there. Why Frank Thomas?

Frank Thomas used to be very vocal about how steroids is damaging the game and how serious the problem is.

Jonzard · 03-17-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Frank Thomas used to be very vocal about how steroids is damaging the game and how serious the problem is.

Okay, I didnt know Frank Thomas was vocal about anything much less steroids.

swampdragon · 03-17-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

McGwire had talked to his lawyers, who advised him to keep schtum, as well they might. As it stands, McGwire is, for the most part, untouchable. While his performance today might not help him get to the HOF, it will help a lot more than 'yes I did', or 'no, I didn't' + increasing revelations.

If McGwire did use steroids, and I happen to believe he did, then he did the only thing he could do today. Anything else would leave him open to some sort of prosecution, either for using or for lying to Congress. He'll weather this, because people like him and have fond memories of the 70 HR season, tainted or not.

torzh · 03-17-2005, 10:26 PM

While it's true that these representitives were partially grandstanding. That doesn't bug me at all, it's what I expect them to do. I think these hearings will have a positive effect, congress is using it's bully pulpit to force a more stringent policy. I think they will be successful especially if they call further hearings, which they or McCain will do if something isn't done. Most of it wasn't worth watching though.

About the players, I didn't lose respect for anyone. in fact I gained respect for everyone but Mac and Canseco. I was pretty sure Mac had done steroids after the recent news. Him taking the fifth was the logical move. Canseco despite his weak kneed reversal actually seemed credible in the hearings; of course I have very little respect for Canseco so it would be hard for me to lose anymore.

I gained respect for the other players even Sammy, I was pretty sure he would take the fifth. Do I think he purjured himself? Maybe, but his testomony has made me believe he probably didn't take steroids. HGH wasn't in his statement though, IIRC.

Both Schilling and Palmeiro handled themselves well. I also enjoyed the VP of Player relations because he was getting all mad.

03-17-2005, 09:03 PM	#162
dougaiton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Location: Posts: 3,414	This is an utter farce of the worst order. You know who we should be worrying about? 35-year old fathers who take steroids to stay on the roster, 28-year old men who are out of baseball and nothing but a low sperm count to show from it, 21-year olds who are loading up during college to get drafted, and 15 year olds who are loading up to get to college. Why the **ing ** call up big-names only? Because you, Jim Bunning, are nothing more than cockmunching racist who happened to be an excellent pitcher, and you never got used to being out of the spotlight. Every player who gets deposed today, I'm going to root for tomorrow. Hell, those guys at the McCarthy trials may well have been selling secrets to the USSR for all I cared, but the sheer blindness of the persecutors puts me on the accused's side. __________________ tThis shower of clowns My park-adjusted, historically split Born in '69 league file! (also at Joe's wonderful site +BBSC)

03-17-2005, 09:07 PM	#165
Jonzard Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,647	Anyone want to explain why Frank Thomas was there? I saw the rest of the players, and they made sense why they were there. Why Frank Thomas? __________________ For a scientist must indeed be freely imaginative and yet skeptical, creative and yet a critic. There is a sense in which he must be free, but another in which his thought must be very precisely regimented; there is poetry in science, but also a lot of bookkeeping. — Sir Peter B. Medawar FTB

03-17-2005, 09:09 PM	#168
Crapshoot Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: watching: DArwin's missing link in action Posts: 3,112	What a load of ****. Seriously. __________________ Senior Senor Member of the OOTP Boards Pittsburgh Playmates- OTBL

03-17-2005, 09:13 PM	#170
Jonzard Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,647	BTW if anyone here voted for Bernard Sanders of Vermont........ Give me your address so I can come smack you around for a while. __________________ For a scientist must indeed be freely imaginative and yet skeptical, creative and yet a critic. There is a sense in which he must be free, but another in which his thought must be very precisely regimented; there is poetry in science, but also a lot of bookkeeping. — Sir Peter B. Medawar FTB

03-17-2005, 09:01 PM	#161
Slackker All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 777	I guess I'm reserving my opinion about these hearings until it's all said and done. If they wind up forcing a steroid policy into baseball that actually would make a difference.. I'm all for it. Unfortunately I have serious doubts that anything will come of this. Then again.. that can be said for anything our government does. It's rarely productive. Really, the only thing I agree with is when Bunning said the current agreement is more of a band-aid than anything else. They did just enough for a lot of people to say "Hey, it's a step.". Hell with steps. Baseball will never be pure. Probably never has been. Spitballs, corked bats, greenies, steroids, gambling. Another problem will replace this one. Oh well.

03-17-2005, 10:26 PM	#180
torzh Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 27	While it's true that these representitives were partially grandstanding. That doesn't bug me at all, it's what I expect them to do. I think these hearings will have a positive effect, congress is using it's bully pulpit to force a more stringent policy. I think they will be successful especially if they call further hearings, which they or McCain will do if something isn't done. Most of it wasn't worth watching though. About the players, I didn't lose respect for anyone. in fact I gained respect for everyone but Mac and Canseco. I was pretty sure Mac had done steroids after the recent news. Him taking the fifth was the logical move. Canseco despite his weak kneed reversal actually seemed credible in the hearings; of course I have very little respect for Canseco so it would be hard for me to lose anymore. I gained respect for the other players even Sammy, I was pretty sure he would take the fifth. Do I think he purjured himself? Maybe, but his testomony has made me believe he probably didn't take steroids. HGH wasn't in his statement though, IIRC. Both Schilling and Palmeiro handled themselves well. I also enjoyed the VP of Player relations because he was getting all mad.