Earlier today, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=ruizca01,ruiz--003car&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com) was suspended for 25 games in a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. In a phone interview, General Manager Ruben Amaro (http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=amaroru02,amaroru01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com) said that he doesn't think that the suspension will prevent future negotiations on a contract extension, according to Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Phillies_catcher_Carlos_Ruiz_suspended_25_games_fo r_Adderall_use.html?viewAll=Y&#comments). Amaro also said that the club may look at other catching options, but it won't be a frontline piece. We learned earlier tonight that the Phillies signed Humberto Quintero (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quinthu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com) to a minor league pact (http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/minor-moves-quintero-orr-phillies-bramhall.html), but the deal was apparently reached before the news on Ruiz was known.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#uXv3gBMoFDAB3fWR.99

Shame on everyone of you (you know who you are, we do too!) who compared Mauer's numbers to Ruiz's this past summer. Cheaters never prosper in MLB (anymore anyway!)

So thats why Ruiz had such a good year....

So we should assume anyone that has a good year is cheating, and not praise them, is that your argument?

Are you still taking his side?

So we should assume anyone that has a good year is cheating, and not praise them, is that your argument?

No, we should assume Ruiz had a good year because he cheated, and not praise him. I think that's the argument anyway.

I wonder how many players get away with cheating by staying one step ahead of the testers.

I have never praised or supported him. But your post seemed to imply we should have assumed he was cheating. Maybe I just misread your post.

I wonder how many players get away with cheating by staying one step ahead of the testers.

Some always will. Baseball's system is light years behind the NFL's system, for instance, but there are still those who get away with steroids in the NFL. Random testing will allow that. You start doing mandatory testing 1-3 times per year on players, and it will become near impossible to dodge drug use unless, of course, that darned Fed Ex guy screws up again.

How was Ruiz cheating? Didn't he test hot for Adderrall?

I can't believe all these players are getting busted, it really isn't that hard to get a scrip for it.

I wonder how many players get away with cheating by staying one step ahead of the testers.

Some always will. Baseball's system is light years behind the NFL's system, for instance, but there are still those who get away with steroids in the NFL. Random testing will allow that. You start doing mandatory testing 1-3 times per year on players, and it will become near impossible to dodge drug use unless, of course, that darned Fed Ex guy screws up again.

It was my understanding that some of the latest cream based steroids were clear of your system in 24 hours and undetectable after that. Mandatory testing 1-3 times/year will catch a few guys but it would be impossible imo to make a dent in the problem.

Baseball's system is light years behind the NFL's system.

Wait...what?

I wonder how many players get away with cheating by staying one step ahead of the testers.

Some always will. Baseball's system is light years behind the NFL's system, for instance, but there are still those who get away with steroids in the NFL. Random testing will allow that. You start doing mandatory testing 1-3 times per year on players, and it will become near impossible to dodge drug use unless, of course, that darned Fed Ex guy screws up again.

It was my understanding that some of the latest cream based steroids were clear of your system in 24 hours and undetectable after that. Mandatory testing 1-3 times/year will catch a few guys but it would be impossible imo to make a dent in the problem.

The synthetic testosterone creams are undetectable within 24-48 hours in urine, but for months in blood tests. The blood test would also have to be part of it.

Baseball's system is light years behind the NFL's system.

Wait...what?

The NFL tests for more masking agents, has options to test players via blood after previous offenses, etc. that baseball is nowhere near accomplishing in their testing system. That's just the beginning of it as well.

Cheaters never prosper in MLB (anymore anyway!)
Ryan Braun. Melky Cabrera.