PhoulBallz.com

Occasionally, The Sporting News includes a feature called "Since You Asked..." that allows readers to send in questions that are answered by a surprise former or current athlete. In the latest issue of the magazine, a Philadelphia resident named Drew Floyd wrote in, asking if a public campaign, by a forgiving society, could assist in helping Pete Rose gain entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Drew also wondered, "is baseball stuck in its ways?" Rose is banned from baseball for betting on baseball games, while he was the Reds' manager in the 1980's. Drew's inquiry mentioned Mark McGwire's steroid use as an example of the baseball public's pardon. Lucky for the Philadelphian, Drew, his letter was answered by Phillies Hall of Fame third baseman, and Rose's friend, Mike Schmidt. Schmidt's opinions over the years have fluctuated. Years ago he stated that Mark McGwire would get his vote for the Hall of Fame, if Schmidt had one. Schmi...

On Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced an upcoming initiative to test players in its minor leagues for human growth hormone this coming season. In a released statement, MLB declared, "We are consulting with our experts concerning immediate steps for our minor league drug program and the next steps for our Major League program." Random urine testing for banned substances began in 2001 in baseball's minor leagues, but blood testing is required to detect the HGH. And while MLB can institute new blood testing for players in the minor leagues, it would need to reach an agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association to start blood testing for unionized players on the 40-man big league rosters. Looking forward, could this be cause for another baseball strike? Possibly. The HGH testing should be implemented. Ball players are aware of the banned drugs that are detected by the existing urine tests, and there are still players who get suspended for positive test...

This week, Mike Schmidt spoke with West Palm Beach's NBC affiliate, Channel 5, about the recent news relating to Mark McGwire and steroid use. Schmidt was asked what he thought of Mark McGwire's announcement earlier this week that he used illegal drugs during his playing career. "It's good that he is freed up to pursue his new job, which is hitting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. In that sense it's good. Never good for baseball when one of its all-time great stars, a guy like Mark McGwire who was so big in the late-90's into the early 2000's, helped save the game of baseball along with Sammy Sosa, officially admits to having used steroids, during that period. I think a lot of people were let down." Schmitty, who annually acts as a guest instructor during spring training, was asked what he might say if he runs into McGwire during spring training... "I would be a little nervous. I'm not sure I could say to Mark, 'Hey Mark, ya know......

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at...

It's true. I want to adopt him, or be his best friend or something.

As names from the supposedly confidential 2003 MLB drug tests continue to leak out , players continue to test positive and get suspended , and even huge stars in major markets are made examples of, maybe all the hype last week over how bust-out players will be inevitably suspected of cheating was misdirected. MLB's drug policies are in place and are being properly enforced. While fans, writers and people in between mostly seem to feel like the sport became tainted in the steroid era and, as a result, become suspicious of players who excel, perhaps it's time to trust. Trust the players who have not been exposed as cheaters...and trust the sport, that you love, to prevent cheaters from wrecking the game. Instead of speculating about the guys on top of their games these days, while Major League Baseball is enforcing their anti-drug policies, perhaps we should be taking a look at guys who have fallen off since MLB has been testing strictly in recent years. How about former Americ...

Jimmy Kimmel Live's parking lot security guard Guillermo has been broken up since his favorite slugger got suspended last week. Here, he sings a tribute to Manny.

We've lost another one. Danny Ozark , manager of the great 1976 and 1977 Eastern Division Champion Phillies, passed away today at age 85. Manny Ramirez is the latest big name baseball star to test positive for banned substances. He has been suspended for 50 games. Chase Utley's famed "WFC" speech drawing fines for broadcasters. Pitching coach Rich Dubee speaks on Brett Myers' early season issues. The Inquirer has a story on Chan Ho Park and adjustments he has made. **************************** Update- Click here for CoedMagazine.com's list of 50 Ways Manny Ramirez Could've Better Blown $7.7 Million. Click here to be reminded about how Jose Canseco is the most honest man in the universe. Click here to read about Manny's testosterone and erectile dysfunction. Click here to purchase some fresh PEDodgers shirts.

Tim McClelland, the Major League umpire famous from the George Brett pine tar incident, was the guest speaker at an Iowa baseball dinner last week and he had some interesting things to say about the steroids issue, in his sport. Here are some gems, from McClelland... "I'd like to see people kind of get over it. It was part of that era. In 2004, baseball instituted the ban on steroids. The previous 15 years, you just have to realize there were a lot of people taking steroids." "They used it to make themselves better. I can't fault a player for doing that." The Brett/pine tar incident was during a 1983 game with Brett's Royals visiting Yankee Stadium. While trailing in the 9th inning, Brett smacked a homer off closer Goose Gossage, and gave the Royals a lead. The Yankees knew of Brett's habits of adding too much pine tar (a legal substance used on bats for grip), too far up his bat. The Yanks chose a crucial time to point it out, and Tim McClelland rev...

This week, we've all been pounded (not in a Matt Stairs kind of way) with news about Alex Rodriguez and his positive test for performance enhancing drugs. Rodriguez came clean, in an interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons, admitting that he took steroids for at least 3 seasons while playing for Texas, and admitting that he lied in previous interviews when asked about it. The test results were to remain anonymous, thus MLB is unable to punish Rodriguez over the maliciously released news. Instead, Commission Bud Selig can only chastise Rodriguez, saying that he has shamed the game. Rodriguez's confession has also drawn concern from the management of the Yankees. General Manager Brian Cashman stated, "I'm not confident about anything, about anybody." And manager Joe Girardi expressed his desire to keep a closer eye on players that he has concerns about. Alex Rodriguez is a cheater. Much like a cheater in school or in a relationship. Is the cheater sorry when he/she ...