Steroids and baseball chosen as Sports Story of Year for 2009

The Associated Press has picked up on this year's steroid scandals in baseball, choosing baseball and steroids as their Sports Story of the Year. Choosing steroid use in baseball as the top sports story of the year, over even the Tiger Woods scandal, highlights the major impact of steroid use in sports, and the effect on fans.

The decision made by members of the AP to pick steroids in baseball as the top story of the year is not surprising, given the big names associated with the use of performance enhancers in baseball - Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and David "Big Papi" Ortiz.

"The impact that that story had made it the story of the year," said Lance Hanlin, sports editor of the Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette and The (Hilton Head) Island Packet. This year's baseball and steroid scandal, "was a big, ongoing, overall story", according to an AP press release. Steroids in baseball has indeed been big news all year.

Balloting was underway when the Tiger Woods story hit the news, but in the end, steroids and baseball was voted by the AP as the top sports story of the year. The final tally was 800 points for the steroids in baseball story and 617 points for the Tiger Woods' scandal.

It is sad that baseball, 2009, might be remembered best for the steroid scandal produced by the use of performance enhancers by some of baseball's finest. No doubt, there will be more to come from Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens whose cases regarding steroid use are still in court. The Sports Story of the Year, voted by the Associated Press and linked to the use of steroids in baseball, overshadowed even the Tiger Woods' scandal which was voted the number ten sports story for 2009.

AP

Kidney Damage found in Bodybuilders Using Steroids

Athletes using steroids are at risk for kidney damage, according to a report from the American Academy of Nephrology. Researchers, for the first time, have found that bodybuilders who used steroids long-term had signs of kidney damage, evidenced by protein leakage in the urine from steroid abuse.

Researchers studied ten athletes with reported long-term steroid use. The bodybuilders using steroids developed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or scarring of the kidneys. The condition is normally associated with morbid obesity.

When steroid use among the bodybuilders was discontinued, kidney function returned to normal - with the exception of one who required kidney dialysis for renal failure.

The reason steroids cause kidney damage is thought to be related to stress placed on the kidneys from muscle mass. The researchers also say steroids may have a direct toxic effect on the kidneys.

Kidney damage associated with steroid use was not previously known. The new study shows that that long term anabolic steroid use can scar the kidneys and lead to kidney dysfunction. One of the ten bodybuilders studied required dialysis.

Source:
ASN




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Conflicted Peter Gammons Leaving ESPN

Peter Gammons will write his farewell to ESPN column on Friday. Gammons said in a press conference that he felt “conflicted” about leaving ESPN, and praised his employer.

Gammons said, “ESPN gave me a great deal more than I gave it”, but have said nothing about his future plans. ESPN executive vice president Norby Williamson says "As a print journalist moving to television, Peter was a pioneer who became a Hall of Famer. His contributions to ESPN will never be forgotten. We're sad to see Peter go, but understand his desire for new challenges and a less demanding schedule."

Gammons, an MLB journalist is leaving ESPN after twenty-one years. Some speculate that Gammons could end up with the New England Sports Network, or with the Red Sox club.

In a statement that shows the conflict Gammons must be feeling about leaving ESPN, he spoke about his severe aneurysm in 2006. He says he will never forget the “foxhole people” who helped him during his illness. “When I was felled by a severe aneurysm in 2006, George Bodenheimer, John Skipper, Norby Williamson, my former Boston Globe boss Vince Doria and everyone made certain that my family and I had the best care and support, far, far beyond any reasonable expectation.”

John Walsh, ESPN executive vice president and executive editor says Peter Gammons is a role model. “Peter was the best and the brightest in making the transition from print to video. For ESPN, he contributed 21 Hall of Fame years as a journalist and, throughout, set the standard for others to reach for.” He is best known for getting to the truth. Peter Gammons is not headed for retirement, but his plans after leaving ESPN have yet to be announced.

Peter Gammons was an ESPN reporter and analyst for 20 seasons, and has announced that he will be leaving ESPN, but not without conflict. Peter Gammons is well known for getting to the truth, noted in an interview with Alex Rodriguez when he asks him more than once “what kind of steroids were you using”.

Sources:
USA Today
Forbes

Herzog wonders if McGwire can survive steroid scrutiny

Since 2001, after retiring with 583 home runs, Mark McGwire has kept himself under the radar. Whitey Herzog wonders if Mark McGwire can survive scrutiny over his use of steroids with his new job as the St. Louis Cardinal’s hitting coach. Mark McGwire was exposed by Jose Conseco as a steroid user in “Juiced”.

According to Herzog, recently elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee, "It's going to be tough because Mark has to open up and he has to be real open with the press. He's going to be asked questions about steroids, he's going to be asked so many things, and he's got to be open and he's got to answer."

Herzog says Mark McGwire might decide not to take the job. 'Maybe he's still not going to do it, maybe he's going to wake up one morning and say 'I don't want to go through it.' It was announced at a late October press conference that Mark McGwire would be the Cardinal’s new hitting coach.

Mark McGwire was evasive with a congressional panel hearing in 2005, when he said he “I’m not going to go into the past”, when specifically asked about his use of the steroid “Andro” (Androstenedione) that is now illegal to use without a medical reason and prescription. For many years Androstenedione, an anabolic “designer” steroid, was not banned by Major League Baseball, despite the known health risks that include pancreatic cancer, increased aggression, and enlarged prostate.

Should Mark McGwire continue to be evasive about steroid use, Herzog says things may not work out when and if McGwire assumes his position as hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. McGwire’s hiring is controversial. Whitey Herzog wonders if McGwire can stand the scrutiny over his use of steroids.

Source:
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Steroid use leads to more than home runs

Using steroids to enhance athletic performance can get you more than home runs – it can lead to huge health problems. Baseball fans everywhere are aware of the difference between home run records set by past athletes, Roger Maris and Hank Aaron, who enhanced their performance through diet and exercise, versus unknown supplements supplied by entrusted trainers – as might have been the case with Barry Bonds.

Performance enhancing supplements and steroid use might lead to more home runs, but they can also lead to a lifetime of health problems. Barry Bonds is an example of the negative impact of steroid use.

Teenagers are especially vulnerable to claims of “muscle strength” from illicit steroids sold on the internet. Anabolic Halo and Jack3d are examples. Steroids for sale are under scrutiny by the FDA, but to date are still available.

Steroids, used solely to enhance athletic performance, need to be avoided to maintain good health throughout life, and to preserve fair competition in baseball and other sports. Barry Bonds used Winstrol to supplement his intense workouts in 1998, pumping himself up from 210 to 223 pounds. The steroid effect most certainly caused physical and emotional harm.

According to an article published in Sports Illustrated Magazine, …”the massive, pumped-up Bonds of 2001 didn't look anything like the Giant of the late '90s, much less the lithe, young Pirate of the late '80s and early '90s who used to knock the ball into the gap, accelerate as he took the turn at first base and fly into second for a double.”

Additional information includes how Barry Bonds’ personality changed, described by Bonds’ girlfriend Kimberly Bell. She blamed it on the steroids. During his steroid use, Bonds suffered an elbow injury, and complained of multiple physical ailments, including eye problems.

Performance enhancers and steroids might get more home runs, but the risks can lead to a lifetime of health issues. A recent study revealed that long term steroid use can cause severe kidney damage, in a first study of its kind to examine the use of anabolic steroids among body builders. Keep your home runs honest, and your health intact by avoiding steroids – just like our true baseball heroes, focus on diet and exercise rather than performance enhancing supplements to play the best possible game.

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Umaga death highlights health risks for athletes

The death of WWE wrestler Umaga highlights a growing body of evidence that large athletes are at risk for heart disease. The wrestler, whose real name is Edward Fatu, died at the young age of 36 from a second heart attack on December 5, 2009. Umaga was suspended in 2007 because of steroid use, adding to the potential health risks he may have been facing.

The death of WWE wrestler Edward “Umaga” Fatu is untimely. The wrestler was found dead in his apartment and rushed to the hospital where he was placed on life support. Several hours later Umaga died, following what is said to be a “difficult” decision to remove breathing apparatus by his wife.

"We would like to express its deepest condolences to Mr. Fatu’s family, friends, and fans on his tragic passing. Mr. Fatu was contract with WWE at various time periods, and most recently performed under the name “Umaga. Mr. Fatu’s contract was terminated on June 11, 2009.” The death of Umaga was untimely – he was only 36 years old.

Edward “Umaga” Fatu weighed 350 pounds. A recent study revealed that large athletes are at high risk for heart disease, despite vigorous workouts and high activity levels. Umaga’s untimely death highlights the health risks to large athletes. Umaga was active in the ring, and wrestled in 2009.

This year has seen a number of celebrity deaths. Edward Fatu, aka, Umaga was also known as the “Samoan Bulldozer”, and was a favorite for many WWE fans. The death of Edward Fatu, “Umaga” places a focus on the price paid by professional athletes.

The WWE suspended 10 athletes August 30, 2007 for steroid use. Umaga was one of the athletes suspended. Steroids can have long-term ill health effects, even after they are discontinued. The WWE also lost Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Brian Adams. Edward Fatu died December 4 from a heart attack, adding to the list of young athletes who may face unnecessary health risks. Watch a Umaga video

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USADA joins with other agencies to curb sales of steroid supplements

Retailers of steroid tainted supplements could soong find itharder to sell illegal substances. The United States Anti-Doping Agency, NFL, and Major League Baseball have teamed up to urge the government to crack down on sales of steroid supplements and other banned substances.

Travis Tygart, USADA chief executive officer said in a press conference, "Our mission is to urge Congress to establish a regulatory framework that ensures that all supplements sold over the counter in retail stores and online are safe and effective and that the federal agencies regulating this industry have the tools to effectively protect consumers' health." The concern stems from harm to consumers who could take adulterated supplements that can cause harm.

Athletes who test positive for steroids have blamed sales of supplements, which may or may not be true. In 2008, J.C. Romero of the Philadelphia Phillies blamed GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, and two other supplement retailers after he tested positive for the steroid precursor androstenedione. He subsequently filed a lawsuit, after being banned from 50 games.

A large number of supplements sold on the internet and at retailers are adulterated. According to Tygart, "From our perspective, until these problems are adequately addressed, even the most informed and cautious consumer can't have full confidence in their choice when deciding to select supplements," Tygart said.

Tygart said USADA officials purchased a steroid-tainted product called P-Plex through Amazon.com recently. The supplement contained a steroid created for BALCO called Madol.

The FDA has had a hard time tracking steroid laced supplements, and manufacturers have taken advantage of the situation. One of the biggest concerns is children who could unwittingly cause harm from taking tainted supplements sold on the internet or at retailers.

Tygart says, “We are absolutely targeting the rogue profiteers who have hijacked the legitimate distribution channels of the supplement industry to push their drugs on our kids.”

A December 2 article published in JAMA found that 2 percent of junior high students reported using steroid in the past year, and five percent of twelfth graders also reported steroid use – including 2.7 percent of females in grade 12.

Some steroid supplements are marketable under the radar because of the way they act in the body after they are ingested. In his press conference Tygart cited several studies showing that up to 25 percent of supplements made in America contained steroids and 11 percent contained stimulants.

The USADA hopes to crack down on the sales of steroid laced supplements by joining forces with other agencies, in a program tagged `Supplement Safety Now'. Tygart has appeared twice in the past three months urging Congress to take affirmative action to curb sales of steroid laced and adulterated supplements through tighter regulations.

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