Here’s more evidence the steroid issue is under control:
More than 200 tests have been taken and no player has tested positive for any banned substances in the World Baseball Classic, the International Baseball Federation president told ESPNdeportes.com.
Aldo Notari said that the Classic has been a clean and exemplary tournament so far.
“We took 90 tests to players on the official rosters before the Classic, and have been taking two daily tests per team since the beginning of the tournament,” said Notari before Monday’s game between Cuba and the Dominican Republic at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
“No player has tested positive so far,” said Notari. “Zero positive tests after more than 200 of them.”
And a positive won’t hurt major league players.
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Not even Endy Chavez?
David,
Zero positive tests is indicative of nothing except that players are NOT testing positive for what they are testing for. They could be taking drugs they are testing for and getting around the tests with masking agents, untestable microdoses and the like. Or they are taking untestable drugs, or they are taking drugs that have been modified so as to be untestable (a la BALCO).
There is too much money and way too much prior success in baseball for players to stop doping just because testing is now in place.
The testing system in baseball is a joke, if they want to have a fighting chance of eliminating doping, adopt the IOC drug testing system and get with those who are serious about keeping up with the dopers.
But continuing to profess there is no problem as there are no positives is ignorant. The baseball press is woefully behind the times about doping and that includes (the otherwise excellent) baseball musings.
Steroid testing, amphetamines testing are red herrings. They just make the union, the owners, congress and the fans feel like something is being done. It is a big pile of BS. Start with adoping IOC doping testing, the same drugs, testing methods and frequency that olympic athletes have to undertake (including extensive out of competition tests). Then have baseball, football and basketball help fund the testing labs and those who are researching doping methods and testing to get the testing up to speed with the cheaters. The labs are so far behind right now, it is pathetic, yet still the WADA and IOC are light years ahead of MLB. Get some real money into the testing system and some things will change.
Then when there are no positive tests, we can be a little more sure doping has been deterred, instead of just swept under the rug.
Tarik