Thursday, May 30, 2002
Reds free of steroids, team doctors says
By John Erardi jerardi@enquirer.com
and John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Steroids may be rampant in baseball, making for more and longer home runs and longer stays on the disabled list. But there's no obvious evidence that anybody on the Reds is taking them. Team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek says the Reds are a steroid-free team.
“We're lucky,” Kremchek said. “We don't have anybody on that junk. You could tell pretty easily, and I can say we don't have anyone.”
Reds shortstop Barry Larkin and outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. both said they aren't on them and never have been.
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ABOUT STEROIDS
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Anabolic steroids elevate the body's testosterone, increasing muscle mass. They are illegal in the United States unless prescribed by a physician for medical reasons.
Side effects can include:
• Aggressive behavior.
• Heart and liver damage.
• Elevated cholesterol levels.
• Strokes.
• Injuries to ligaments and joints.
• Sexual dysfunction.
Source: Associated Press
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Both believe an estimate of 50 percent of major leaguers on steroids is high. That estimate comes from Ken Caminiti, the 1996 National League most valuable player and confessed steroid user who details his involvement in a Sports Illustrated story this week.
“I personally don't know” how many, Larkin said. “But I would speculate that there's not many guys that will put up with the side effects. I know I wouldn't. It's not worth it.”
Said Griffey: “I wouldn't think it's that many. But I'm not in their circles. People in my circles don't use them.”
. Arizona right-hander Curt Schilling claims in the Sports Illustrated report that steroid use is “rampant” in baseball. And former slugger Jose Canseco says 85 percent of major leaguers use them. Canseco made his claim in talking about a tell-all book he plans to write.
Baseball has no policy on testing for steroids.
Reds manager Bob Boone said it's time to talk about the problem.
“I think the issue needs to be addressed,” he said. “Now that it's out there, some guys who work real hard ... people are saying he's taking something. That's unfair.”
The numbers have been thrown out there. But no one named names. The one concrete example of steroids helping a player: Caminiti said he was on them in 1996 when he won the National League Most Valuable Player Award.
Larkin was the 1995 winner.
“I can assure you I was a steroid-free MVP,” Larkin said.
“That's something we have in common,” said Griffey, who was the American League MVP in 1997.
Griffey laughed when asked if he would ever take steroids.
“I don't like to get poked for a physical,” he said. “I'm not going to use a needle on myself.”
Larkin said players have approached him and asked about steroids.
“I've definitely had conversations about steroids,” he said. “I say, "Bottom line, it's not worth it.' They say: "You're a scrawny guy. You don't do it, so maybe I don't have to do it.' The conversation is prevalent in a lot of locker rooms. But talking about it and doing it are totally different. Putting a needle in your vein is pretty serious stuff.”
There are players who might be willing to take that risk.
“It's the classic selling your soul to the devil,” Boone said. “You can be MVP, but it takes 10 years off your life. You're dealing with competitive people. Everyone is looking for an edge.”
Any testing for steroids must be negotiated through the players association, and Larkin isn't sure the players are ready for that.
“There are certain things the players association feels are personal issues,” Larkin said. “There are supplements guys take that have substances that might be illegal depending on how they deem it. Then you've got the issue of guys being declared ineligible who aren't putting needles in their veins (but) because they've got a trace of this or that.”
Supplements are another issue. The use of them is rampant, even with the Reds.
“There's bottles all over this clubhouse,” Larkin said. “What's legal and what's not? You have andro (androstenedione), which supposedly helped (Mark) McGwire. You open it, you don't know what happens.”
Boone thinks the players would be wise to address the steroid issue.
“The players association can't bury its head in the sand on this,” he said. “But I'm afraid it's another issue that will cloud our negotiations.”
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Reds free of steroids, team doctors says
