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<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Ernie Banks celebrates a birthday Sunday, and Mr. Cub insists "at 79, everything is fine."
But another task remains on his to-do list.
In light of Mark McGwire's admission that he took steroids during his record-breaking home run season of 1998, Banks says he would like to assist Sammy Sosa if he wants to address allegations that he used steroids.
"If he wanted to do that, knowing that people were leaning toward thinking he was involved with steroids, I would say just what Mark McGwire did," Banks told me. "You know, come clean with it. Explain it to them. You know he will have fans in the Dominican. Just say: 'This is what happened.'
"Just admit it and live with it and understand it. I am sure a lot of people will forgive him."
According to a report in the New York Times, Sosa failed a league steroid test in 2003. Sosa insisted he never has taken steroids when I questioned him about three years ago. But Sosa has yet to respond to the report that he failed the 2003 test.
The ever-optimistic Banks says he would like to see Sosa embraced by new Cubs ownership.
"I would like to see Sammy come back. Throw out the first pitch, sing 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game,' you know, meet some of the players and all of that. I was dreaming about it. I always thought that the way he left here and went to his demise here was quick. The lesson from that is that fame is fleeting."
Banks traveled to the Dominican Republic last year on behalf of the Cubs. While there, Banks tried to contact Sosa, but he was in Brazil at the time. Now Banks wants to meet with Sosa to have a heart-to-heart talk.
"That's what my lifelong dream is," Banks said. "Just to sit down with him and listen to him. ... I know he has advisers around him and all that. But with all my experience and (over) 50 years with this team and in this city … I will just explain it to him and how the people are … people are for you; they want to see you do well. They are forgiving people.
"We haven't won in over 100 years, so this audience here is pretty special."
Unlike Carlton Fisk, who blasted McGwire and others who took performance-enhancing drugs, Banks insists he has no contempt for players who cheated. Alex Rodriguez, for instance, hit 52 homers for the Rangers in 2001, breaking Banks' major league record for a shortstop of 47 in 1958. Rodriguez admitted he was taking steroids during that period.
On Saturday, Rodriguez was honored at the New York baseball writers' dinner.
"Postseason MVP… Wow!" Rodriguez said upon accepting the award. "What's next, the good guy award?"
The magnanimous Banks insists A-Rod is a good guy.
"They invited me to come down there to (Arlington) Texas, and that's my hometown (Dallas)," said Banks of the experience of seeing his record broken in 2001. "I was with A-Rod, went by his house, had lunch with him. He was very nice and I like him."
"I was down there when the kid from Texas — Rafael Palmeiro (also a steroid user) — hit his 500th home run. I am saying this with love. I just care a lot about them.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link
This is not some silly theory that's unsupported and deserves being mocked by photos of Xena. ![[Image: ITgoyeg.png]](http://i.imgur.com/ITgoyeg.png)
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I love Ernie. One of my most prized possessions is an autographed baseball cap from him. He speaks the truth here.
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It's tough though, because Sosa has already lied and said he did not do steroids. IIRC, Mcgwire never admitted it at first, he just refused to say anything at all.
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What does Sosa have to gain by admitting to using PEDs?
Sosa can still come back to Wrigley and be treated as a king without saying a word about PEDs.
McGuire had to admit to steroids so he could come back to MLB. He spent tons of PR money on his campaign and still did a half ass job which has some people more angry than before his confession.
Sammy should just keep his mouth shut and see what happens in the HOF ballot.
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<!--quoteo(post=77330:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:26 AM:name=1060Ivy)-->QUOTE (1060Ivy @ Jan 26 2010, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What does Sosa have to gain by admitting to using PEDs?
Sosa can still come back to Wrigley and be treated as a king without saying a word about PEDs.
McGuire had to admit to steroids so he could come back to MLB. He spent tons of PR money on his campaign and still did a half ass job which has some people more angry than before his confession.
Sammy should just keep his mouth shut and see what happens in the HOF ballot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Until he comes clean, he isn't getting into the HOF, regardless of what anyone says. He may not get in regardless, but at least he will have a clear conscience.
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I would also like him to come clean on why he is now white.
I picture a pissed-off Amazon bitch; uncontrollable, disobedient, boldly resisting any kind of emotional shackles...angrily begging for more ejaculate. -KB
Showing your teeth is a sign of weakness in primates. Whenever someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life. - Dwight
RIP Sarge
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I don't think most of them get into the HOF even after admitting it for a long time.
Every HOF voter I saw interviewed said they would not vote for Mcgwire even after admitting it.
And if that FBI report from the 90s is true and Mcgwire was buying stuff you're supposed to only get from a prescription, he should be banned. If Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe were banned for life for what they allegedly did, Mcgwire, Sosa, all of the guys who made that list that illegally purchased prescription stuff should be banned for life, IMO.
Then again, all of the cocaine guys from the 80s should be too.
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<!--quoteo(post=77338:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM:name=ChiefKodiak)-->QUOTE (ChiefKodiak @ Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Then again, all of the cocaine guys from the 80s should be too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Um, no.
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<!--quoteo(post=77339:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77338:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM:name=ChiefKodiak)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefKodiak @ Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Then again, all of the cocaine guys from the 80s should be too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Um, no.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Really.
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<!--quoteo(post=77334:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:33 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Jan 26 2010, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77330:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:26 AM:name=1060Ivy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (1060Ivy @ Jan 26 2010, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What does Sosa have to gain by admitting to using PEDs?
Sosa can still come back to Wrigley and be treated as a king without saying a word about PEDs.
McGuire had to admit to steroids so he could come back to MLB. He spent tons of PR money on his campaign and still did a half ass job which has some people more angry than before his confession.
Sammy should just keep his mouth shut and see what happens in the HOF ballot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Until he comes clean, he isn't getting into the HOF, regardless of what anyone says. He may not get in regardless, but at least he will have a clear conscience.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Hall of Fame voters have really put itself into a pickle regarding PEDs. Currently, if a player is associated with them, the player doesn't have a chance at entering the hall.
Hopefully, the voters will get their heads out of their asses and realize that this position doesn't work. As players weren't consistently tested nor were the rules consistent through the years.
I would not be surprised to learn one day that a majority of players in the late 80s and through the 90s were taking something to improve performance. It may have been legal at the time or not. I don't really care.
The hall voters are going to have make decisions. Most of which are bad. Here are some options: throwing out the stats from the era so not inviting anyone who played during the era into the hall; depend on hearsay and rumors to judge if a player was a PED user; or, voting purely on the available stats(PEDs be damned).
I don't know the right decision but I do realize that the issue is not going away anytime soon.
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<!--quoteo(post=77340:date=Jan 26 2010, 09:05 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Jan 26 2010, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77339:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77338:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM:name=ChiefKodiak)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefKodiak @ Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Then again, all of the cocaine guys from the 80s should be too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Um, no.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Really.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, really.
If that's the case then all the amphetamine users need to be banned too. So what then, the last 40 years of baseball should just be wiped off the record books because all these "illegal" drug users who ruined the game? Gimme a fucking break.
Should you be banned from your job because of drug use? I'm not talking about being convicted of a crime, but using an illegal drug and not being caught.
Apply the same fucked up standards that's being thrown about against these players to your own life and see what you think is fair.
Everyone has got to get off their high horse on this one. There is not a single profession, industry, or what have you that isn't beset by unethical behavior that I'm sure has a lot more severe consequences on the daily lives of others as opposed to a bunch of meatheads playing a game.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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<!--quoteo(post=77345:date=Jan 26 2010, 10:02 AM:name=Bricklayer)-->QUOTE (Bricklayer @ Jan 26 2010, 10:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77340:date=Jan 26 2010, 09:05 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Jan 26 2010, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77339:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77338:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM:name=ChiefKodiak)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefKodiak @ Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Then again, all of the cocaine guys from the 80s should be too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Um, no.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Really.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, really.
If that's the case then all the amphetamine users need to be banned too. So what then, the last 40 years of baseball should just be wiped off the record books because all these "illegal" drug users who ruined the game? Gimme a fucking break.
Should you be banned from your job because of drug use? I'm not talking about being convicted of a crime, but using an illegal drug and not being caught.
Apply the same fucked up standards that's being thrown about against these players to your own life and see what you think is fair.
Everyone has got to get off their high horse on this one. There is not a single profession, industry, or what have you that isn't beset by unethical behavior that I'm sure has a lot more severe consequences on the daily lives of others as opposed to a bunch of meatheads playing a game.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Bingo. If we banned people for casual drug (and yes even alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are drugs) use, legal or otherwise, practically no one in this country would be employed.
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<!--quoteo(post=77345:date=Jan 26 2010, 10:02 AM:name=Bricklayer)-->QUOTE (Bricklayer @ Jan 26 2010, 10:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77340:date=Jan 26 2010, 09:05 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Jan 26 2010, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77339:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Jan 26 2010, 08:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=77338:date=Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM:name=ChiefKodiak)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefKodiak @ Jan 26 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Then again, all of the cocaine guys from the 80s should be too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Um, no.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Really.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, really.
If that's the case then all the amphetamine users need to be banned too. So what then, the last 40 years of baseball should just be wiped off the record books because all these "illegal" drug users who ruined the game? Gimme a fucking break.
Should you be banned from your job because of drug use? I'm not talking about being convicted of a crime, but using an illegal drug and not being caught.
Apply the same fucked up standards that's being thrown about against these players to your own life and see what you think is fair.
Everyone has got to get off their high horse on this one. There is not a single profession, industry, or what have you that isn't beset by unethical behavior that I'm sure has a lot more severe consequences on the daily lives of others as opposed to a bunch of meatheads playing a game.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There was no question mark on my "Really." I was agreeing with Rok. There is no comparison between recreational drugs and performance enhancing drugs. And to the extent that stimulants are either or both, there's still little comparison between their use and the use of steroids and HGH and such. Stimulants may provide a short-term gain but the comeuppance is right around the corner. Take speed for two weeks straight and go to the batting cage every day and you'll see what I mean.
But lets confine this to jocks that played around like the rich, party animals they were. Doing rails off strippers' asses all night is hardly performance enhancing.
This should have little or nothing to do with being good citizens or role models or whatever and everything to do with cheating at baseball.
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