This might become a big deal.
Curt Schilling, in a Wednesday interview on ESPN Radio, said toward the end of his tenure with the Red Sox he was encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs by “members of the organization.”
“At the end of my career, in 2008 when I had gotten hurt, there was a conversation that I was involved in in which it was brought to my attention that this is a potential path I might want to pursue,” Schilling told Colin Cowherd.
Asked for more details, Schilling said the conversation occurred in the clubhouse and involved “former members of the organization — they’re no longer there. It was an incredibly uncomfortable conversation. Because it came up in the midst of a group of people. The other people weren’t in the conversation but they could clearly hear the conversation. And it was suggested to me that at my age and in my situation, why not? What did I have to lose? Because if I wasn’t going to get healthy, it didn’t matter. And if I did get healthy, great.
“It caught me off guard, to say the least. That was an awkward situation.”
"Former members of the organization" obviously included Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Jason McCleod. However, since no one involved hit home runs, this probably won't be much of a big deal. That, and because nobody gives a shit about the involvement of the front office and ownership in the PED era.
h/t to Mish
all FOs encourage their players to “ehance” their “performance” in anyway possible. if it happens to be PEDs, then so be it. it’s not explicit instructions to go out and take ‘roids,, then it’s implicitly stated just by signing the player (unless you have personally tested the guy and know for a fact that he’s clean). maybe this attitude is just a function of me assuming that all players take PEDs though.
either way, i have absolutely no problem with theo endorsing past or present PED use as long as he is/was smart about it. — EnricoPallazzo
Mish wrote:
I thought that there was already a player on the Red Sox that admitted that team doctors had shown the players how to use steroids properly. Is that not right?
http://deadspin.com/5248932/lou-merloni-will-blow-this-steroid-business-wide-open
Yeah I forgot about that.
That appears to have happened when Duquette was around, but according to Merloni that had to be back around 1996-1997.
As long as one team was trying to gain an edge by informing or encouraging players to use, there were many others. I highly doubt there was a single organization, owner, GM, assistant GM or director of scouting that didn’t in some way encourage players to use.
But the story is not about the organized effort and rather Barry Bonds breaking a sacred record. (dying laughing)
Not that the metaphor isn’t appropriate, but has anyone actually seen parents like that? That’s a myth, right?
@ Suburban kid:
Not a myth. I went to school with kids who clearly had parties at their house sponsored by their parents.
@ JMan:
So did I. I also remember a couple friends who were given condoms by their parents. This was back in the early 90s so I imagine it happens more frequently today.
1. Alec Ogletree, OLB, Ga. – Reminds me a lot of Urlacher, in that he came in as a safety. Still underweight, but could be a very dynamic LB.
2. Kyle Long, T, Ore. – Yes, he’s Howie’s son. Love his potential. I think he could end up being the best OT out of this draft aside from Joekel.
4. Alvin Bailey, G, Ark. – Will need some coaching, but should be a starting-caliber G.
5. Jake Stoneburner, TE, OSU – Poor man’s Aaron Hernandez but a little better blocker. Could be H-Back type.
6. DJ Hayden, CB, Hou. – Good value as a cover-2 CB here.
7. Dan Buckner, WR, Ari. – Very talented player if he can get his shit together. Good size.
Considering CHI’s needs and current value, the trade I proposed with SF makes even more sense.
1. Kevin Minter, LB, LSU – This kid is a player. Might not be fluid enough to play inside in a cover-2, but I wouldn’t bet against him.
2. Kyle Long, T, Ore
3. Brian Schwenke, C, Cal – Inexperienced, but I think that makes him a good value here.
4. Alvin Bailey, G, Ark
5. Jake Stoneburner, TE, OSU
6. DJ Hayden, CB, Hou.
7. Dan Buckner, WR, Ari.
Giving your sons condoms is one thing. Allowing your kid to have a party is also not strange.
It was that combo of the parents buying the keg and giving out condoms as part of the party package that seemed a little unbelievable. But, I may be more sheltered than I thought.
Some guys I like for the WCO…
QB – Matt Barkely, USC (1st), Zac Dysert, Miami Ohio (4th)
RB – Joseph Randle, OkSU (3rd), Stepfan Taylor, Stan. (4th)
WR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Tenn. (1st), Da’Rick Rogers, Tenn. Tech (3rd), Chris Harper, KSU (4th)
TE – Zach Ertz, Stan. (1st), Gavin Escobar, SDSU (3rd)
@ Suburban kid:
I doubt it’s very common for parents to host a party in which they hand out condoms to those who show up. I’m sure it happens, but no, it’s probably not at all common.
Some guys I like for the Cover 2…
DT – Sheldon Richardson, Mizzou (1st), re-sign Melton
LB – Ogletree, Arthur Brown, KSU (2nd), Jamie Collins, S. Miss. (3rd)
CB – Logan Ryan, Rut (2nd), Micah Hyde, Iowa (6th), Hayden
Methinks Schilling wants to get in the good graces of the BBWAA by looking like a whistleblower without actually saying anything.
@ Ryno:
I like Ogeltree a lot. Does Long grade out as a LT or RT? This draft is very deep with OL so I think teams can find starters into the 4th and 5th rounds. I would love to see the Bears address the OL with this sort of draft you laid out. If the Bears can address MLB, LT and C via the draft, then mission accomplished.
GBTS wrote:
You
‘re a cynical bastardmight be on to something.@ GBTS:
Schilling has been outspoken against steroids fwiw.
@ Ryno:
Ertz has been linked on a lot of the mock drafts but I think the Bears sign Cook or Bennett or see what they have in Evan Rodriguez for TE. But I would love to see Ertz in a Bears uni. I think the Bears have players at the skill positions so it’s a matter of getting better up front on the line and TE. I’m interested to see how the offense looks next year with Trestman(who looks like he’s going to start talking about the Annexation of Puerto Rico as his secret play).
Defensively, re-signing Melton is #1 priority I believe but the Bears have only $13 million in cap space this year but have over $50 million for 2014 so they should be able to back load some contracts and get him signed. They should let Urlacher walk unless he’ll take a 2 year $2million deal. They also need to address SLB seeing as how Briggs is the only LB currently signed for 2013. Free Agency will really set the tone for how the Bears draft. If they don’t sign anybody, then I see the Bears trading down to get that 3rd pick back.
@ Mucker:
Long’s ceiling is a lockdown LT. Loads of potential, but he’s relatively new to football.
If CHI is moving toward a traditional West Coast offense, the OL becomes a little less positionally valuable. Honestly, I think it makes Cutler a little less valuable too, as it doesn’t seem to fit his strengths.
With the switch, a guy like Zach Ertz could make more of a difference than a big-time T. Brandon Marshall is a perfect fit. Forte fits too.
@ Ryno:
I don’t know if they are moving to a traditional WCO but Trestman is a WCO guy and he said he’ll have to see what he has to work with before he decides what kind of offense he’s going to employ. I have to imagine it’ll be some type of WCO, maybe a hybrid or something like that. I think the Bears just want to keep Cutler upright and give him an opportunity to make throws. That guy gets pressured on his dropbacks and that needs to be fixed.
Schilling is on record saying that everything the PED users have done should be wiped clean. He said this while he was a player. Nobody paid attention to him then and they won’t pay attention to him now. Schilling speaking out against steroids isn’t anything new. He can’t stand the people who used.
I disagree with Schilling on that, but the guy has been consistent for years. I hope he talks more openly about it.
@ dmick89:
This was the first thing I thought of when I saw this Schilling story.
From 2007:
Back then he and Frank Thomas were known as the only two players to speak out against steroids (both had done so prior to this).
I think it’s unfair to say this has anything to do with the HOF when Schilling has been talking about this for years (even when he was a player and I doubt it made him popular).
@ Mucker:
The more I think about it, the more I think CHI needs to trade with SF (dying laughing). Grab Ertz/Eifert in the first, Long in the second and then pick up a guy like Kiko Alonso in the third.
@ Mucker:
Cutler’s not really a traditional WCO QB, but the rest of the offensive personnel seems like a good fit. I really think that offense is a TE away from being ideally set up.
I’m sure the plan is to simply incorporate more three-step drops and quick routes and just use more double moves than usual.
Schilling angrily told Clemens to give back the Cy Young awards. This is a guy who didn’t give a shit what the players thought about him when he played. This happened in 2007. He called Barry Bonds a cheater and a liar, blasted him for steroids, fucking up the game, cheating on his taxes and cheating on his wife.
If there was one guy in baseball over the last 25 years I felt confident in saying he didn’t use steroids, it would be Schilling. He literally hates the motherfuckers who use them and has said so publicly for years.
@ Ryno:
this should be a fanshot.
@ dmick89:
I know he’s been consistent in his anti-steroid stance, and fwiw I believe his story. I also believe he didn’t use steroids or HGH. I just find it funny he’s talking about it now, after knowing he’s barely halfway to HoF induction on an increasingly crowded ballot. He’s been out of baseball for five years. He might as well be sending the BBWAA a valentine.
@ EnricoPallazzo:
I’m in. Set it up.
Of course, if Schilling came forward with this in 2010 then OMG HE *MIGHT* HAVE BEEN IN A LOCKER ROOM WHERE THERE WERE PEDS HOW CAN WE KNOW FOR SURE HE DIDN’T USE THEM, HE PLAYED WITH MANNY AND PAPI THIS ALL MAKES SENSE NOW FUCK THAT GUY
/BBWAA’d
@ gbts22:
I think this is just Schilling opening his mouth. This won’t be a story after tomorrow just as the last time someone talked about ownership/FO involvement. If Schilling wanted to get on their side he’d name names. Otherwise, there’s just no lasting story here. He didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know and already know about the Red Sox specifically.
gbts22 wrote:
Fixed
I think it will be funny when the Cubs sportswriters simply ask Thoyer a softball question and then go on to bash Schilling.
Slightly tangential, but two of Fred Phelps’ grandchildren are now hell-bound: http://www.salon.com/2013/02/07/two_phelps_kids_bravely_defect_from_westboro_baptist_church/
Chris Cotillo @TradeDeadliner
#Mariners agree to a 7-year, $175 million extension with Felix Hernandez, says @BNightengale.
@ Rizzo the Rat:
Saw that in the paper here today. It’s always good news to hear about people leaving that cult.
@ Mish:
Seriously? That’s a shitload of money for a pitcher.
@ Ryno:
I would like to see the Bears trade down unless there is a really good player available to them to draft. One guy I’ve been hearing is a really good G is Warford. What do you think of him? And how good is Chance really?
@ Mucker:
Warmack? I think he’s the best G prospect to come around in a long time. I think pick 20 is about the lowest he’d go. Positional value will drop him because I think he’s a G only, but I’d be surprised if he made it past DAL at 18.
@ Ryno:
Yeah I was asking about Chance and how good he really is but I was referring to Larry Warford from Kentucky. I’ve heard he’s a really good OG as well.
Here’s the third-down play that I think would have put us up if we snapped the ball in time:
@ Ryno:
If Ellerbe shoots the A gap here, I think he ends up chasing Kaepernick from behind. If he runs to the sideline, I think Gore picks him up.
I think Boone (75) goes after the safety, as SF repeatedly showed Lewis no respect.
Bottom line is this is basically a 3 on 3 play: Ellerbe, Lewis and the S against Boone, Gore and Kaepernick. Ellerbe is motioning for Lewis to contain the edge, which makes me think he’s manning the A gap. If that’s the case, it’s an easy score. If not, it’s Kaepernick v. Lewis and an easy score.
@ Ryno:
Was that a run? Looks like Moss is about to engage in a block there.
@ Mucker:
Oops. Got my brain stuck on Warmack. I like Warford in the second, but there are at least 3-4 Gs I like better.
@ Ryno:
How about Jones? Cooper?
@ Mucker:
Yeah, that was a designed run all the way. The aerial view on the replay showed you exactly how much space Kaepernick had, and it was more than enough. That was six.
@ Mucker:
Jones seems kind of like the qunitessential Iowa OL to me. Good, solid player, but seems to have maxed out already. I like his versatility, but I don’t know that I’d take him until the third.
Cooper, I like a lot better. Looks like a late first to me.
New Shit
The only reason that run not happening isn’t driving me crazy is that it would have left BAL with about 1:45 to go and three timeouts. SF showed they didn’t have an answer for BAL’s goalline defense, so I’m thinking we would have missed the 2-point conversion. BAL kicks a FG and wins.
If I were calling the plays…
2:00, 2nd and 5 – Frank Gore up the middle.
1:20, 3rd and probably 3 – Frank Gore up the middle
:45, 4th and 1 – Frank Gore up the middle
We either:
A. Get stuffed all three times – Fine. We did what we do best and they just beat us.
B. Score – Great. But BAL had to use some timeouts and the clock is run down. It’s a bit tougher for them to get into FG range with 1:30 and no timeouts or 1:00 and one timeout.
@ Ryno:
I thought the playcalling by the 9ers on that final goal to go was bad. I thought the 9ers lost that game in the first half and especially after they stopped attacking Ray Lewis. Lewis was beat all day by Davis and Crabtree a couple of times and they should have kept attacking his zone/man. I thought for sure they would score on that last possession but the Ravens D was able to get the stops. And I know you probably disagree but I thought it was a good no call on that last play. I thought it looked like contact on both sides and to me the ball looked uncatchable anyway. But if it were the Bears, I would be pissed so I feel your pain. (dying laughing)