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J.C. Romero: 50-game suspension is "insane, not fair, ridiculous."
Today is a joyous day for fans of Major League Baseball all across the world.
It's the official first day for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training.
Phils pitcher J.C. Romero checked into Camp Clearwater yesterday. This morning, he was in good spirits but still not happy with the ruling that will leave him out of the Phillies bullpen until June 1.
Last month, Romero received a 50-game suspension for failing a drug test last summer. Romero took a supplement he bought from a GNC store, without realizing it contained an ingredient not kosher with MLB's drug policy.
Worse, the ingredient was not even on the product label.
Romero met with the media for the first time since the incident this morning. Read more in tomorrow's Sunday Times for the complete Romero story, but here's a little taste of what J.C. had to say:
On length of suspension: "It's ridiculous. I keep saying it. I don't think I should be suspended 50 games. It doesn't make any sense to me. They have some rules they have to follow, and it's very unfortunate that I have to be the one paying the price. In my mind, I think it's insane. I think it's unfair. I'm being, they say, negligent, but then I'm being accused as somebody who takes steroids. That doesn't fly too well. But it is what it is."
On being told last spring that stuff bought at GNC were okay to use: "Since all this mess started, that’s what they make sure they emphasize to us. I think to the Latin players, the simple fact was they (said) they weren’t responsible for the supplements that you buy in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, so I guess that’s why they wanted us to make sure we buy it over here in the states. Before this case, they didn’t have any reason to believe that somebody could test positive offer supplements bought at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, etcetera."
It's the official first day for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training.
Phils pitcher J.C. Romero checked into Camp Clearwater yesterday. This morning, he was in good spirits but still not happy with the ruling that will leave him out of the Phillies bullpen until June 1.
Last month, Romero received a 50-game suspension for failing a drug test last summer. Romero took a supplement he bought from a GNC store, without realizing it contained an ingredient not kosher with MLB's drug policy.
Worse, the ingredient was not even on the product label.
Romero met with the media for the first time since the incident this morning. Read more in tomorrow's Sunday Times for the complete Romero story, but here's a little taste of what J.C. had to say:
On length of suspension: "It's ridiculous. I keep saying it. I don't think I should be suspended 50 games. It doesn't make any sense to me. They have some rules they have to follow, and it's very unfortunate that I have to be the one paying the price. In my mind, I think it's insane. I think it's unfair. I'm being, they say, negligent, but then I'm being accused as somebody who takes steroids. That doesn't fly too well. But it is what it is."
On being told last spring that stuff bought at GNC were okay to use: "Since all this mess started, that’s what they make sure they emphasize to us. I think to the Latin players, the simple fact was they (said) they weren’t responsible for the supplements that you buy in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, so I guess that’s why they wanted us to make sure we buy it over here in the states. Before this case, they didn’t have any reason to believe that somebody could test positive offer supplements bought at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, etcetera."
posted by Ryan at
10:02 AM
5 Comments:
I do think this suspension was excessive, but for what it's worth, there's a point that has not gotten enough press: there was an official MLB phone number that players were supposed to call if they had any questions about their supplements. J.C. says he asked his trainer, etc., but he never called the number. If he had called the number, he would have been clear, even if they gave him the wrong advice and he took the supplement.
No doubt. I agree.
I know for sure I've written about the 1-800 number (and about the product label, which says the product might not meet testing standards for sports leagues and military duty).
Those facts, however, should be repeated with every story involving Romero, who, while probably not guilty of cheating, was guilty of negligence.
Actually, the package that Romero purchased did not have that testing standards warning on it (he presented an example at his hearing), Other brands of the same supplement do have a warning. Either way, he should have called the 800 number. And his trainer, etc., should have told him to call the 800 number. But 50 games is still ridiculously excessive.
FYI: I came across your blog because I was surprised today to see (er... hear) Romero playing in the spring training game and I was trying to see what's up with that. (you had the answer in another post here) Of course, it makes perfectly good sense that they would not start the suspension until the games count, but it did catch me by surprise.
50 games is kind of ridiculous.
the interesting thing is the team is having their annual union meeting as I type this morning... and yesterday, Jimmy Rollins, the team's rep, told me he plans to address the penalties, how there is a lack of a "gray area" in determining failed drug tests that are intentional vs. those that are negligent.
thanks for finding the blog, by the way. i think i'm one of three beat writers here at spring training for the entire time, so i'll do my best to give readers the scoop all spring (and then, all season, too).
I have some sympathy for MLB's position on negligence v. intent: after all, Barry Bonds claimed that he didn't know what he was taking (I doubt even his mother believed him, but that's what he claimed). If you have to show intent, then MLB is in the awkward position of having to prove that Barry Bonds is a liar. That'snot good for baseball.
On the other hand, there should be some room for consideration of mitigating circumstances when imposing penalties. Say, reduce Romero's penalty to a 10 game suspension, in light of widespread legitimate confusion about whether OTC supplements could be a violation and the fact that this is a first case scenario. Couple that with a stern reminder to call the 800 number or there will be no leniency in the future. But I don't think the existing policy allows for consideration of mitigating circumstances.
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