MLB players yesterday reacted to the news of the league handing down suspensions of 13 players in the Biogenesis investigation. White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham said, "This is a good step in the right direction, and I think people are starting to understand that obviously it hurts a lot of players by other players doing the things they're getting suspended for. It's a lot of negative attention and hopefully this is one of the last times it happens" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 8/6). Red Sox LF Jonny Gomes said, "I saw some people saying it’s kind of a sad day in baseball. I don’t think it’s a sad day in baseball. There are two ways to look at it: It shows the testing policy is working, but it shows guys are still willing to take the chance. Maybe the risk and reward of doing steroids and the suspension might have to get picked up if guys are still willing to take the risk" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/6). Tigers P Max Scherzer: "We’re tired of guys who blatantly try to break the system. That’s something we have to find a way to shore up, so that this doesn’t happen again. Because the more days we have like this, the worse it is for our game and for our fans. It only drives fans away" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/6).
MAKING PROGRESS? Astros C Jason Castro said, "It’s a step in the right direction and something that hopefully will deter people in the future. It’s kind of a stepping stone. I think there’s still some work to be done, but it’s definitely where we need to be headed" (CHRON.com, 8/5). Indians DH Jason Giambi, who admitted to taking steroids during the '04 BALCO hearings, said, "We've been going in the right direction for a long time. Human beings are going to make mistakes. It shows that Major League Baseball is doing everything it can to go in the right direction" (CLEVELAND.com, 8/5). Twins P Glen Perkins: "These guys obviously have been taking things for a while and have gotten away with it, so there's really no way to know. It's cleaner now than it was yesterday" (TWINCITIES.com, 8/5). Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez was suspended 211 games yesterday, and Angels P C.J. Wilson said, "It's good for the game that they're finally getting him on something." Wilson added, "The issue centers around greed. If anybody says it’s something else, they’re not telling the truth. The players want to do well because they want to get bigger contracts. That money they earn is tainted, just like their statistics are" (L.A. TIMES, 8/6).
MANAGERS BACK MLB: Indians manager Terry Francona said, "If you spend 30 seconds with Bud Selig, you know he loves the game. So I was watching his statement being read and I felt for him. I picked up the phone and called him and left a message. Ten minutes later he called me back and said, 'This doesn't need to be a dark day in baseball. It needs to be the beginning of the good stuff.' He said it a lot better than I articulated it, but I agree with him" (CLEVELAND.com, 8/5). Nationals manager Davey Johnson said, "The Commissioner's Office has done a great job with it. This is what's best for the game, and I'm glad it's over with" (MLB.com, 8/5). Meanwhile, Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire in '10 admitted to using PEDs during his career, and he said yesterday, "I wish I was never a part of it. Just get rid of it. If it's better to have bigger suspensions, then they're going to have to change it." McGwire added, "I just hope it's over with and we don't have to sit here and talk about this anymore" (ESPNLA.com, 8/5).
