Are Baseball Players Back On The Juice?

[Tugg Speedman]

Don't look now, but Major League Baseball players are hitting balls out of parks at a rate not seen since the peak of the steroid era.

With about one-fourth of the season gone, there are 18 players on pace to hit at least 40 home runs. At this same point last year, there were ten players on pace and nine finished with 40. In the last 30 years, there has never been a season with more than 17 players with at least 40 home runs.

In addition, 2.8% of all plate appearances have ended in a home run so far this season. That is on pace for the highest rate since 2006, which was the first year of MLB's new drug-testing policy.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Doubt it. Pitchers are probably just off of it if anything.

[wadesworld]

Straight steroids like it was in the prime of juicing?  No.  PEDs?  Absolutely.  It never stopped.

[MUsoxfan]

Of course they are. They always have been. Too much money involved for them not to be

[tower912]

Possibly.   Also possible that the balls are wound a little tighter.   Also possible that the current hitting philosophy that doesn't worry about strikeouts and doesn't settle for singles is playing a role.    Or all of the above. 

[brandx]

Possibly.   Also possible that the balls are wound a little tighter.   Also possible that the current hitting philosophy that doesn't worry about strikeouts and doesn't settle for singles is playing a role.    Or all of the above.

I think you hit on it right there. Batting Average is down 10-15 points from what it was in the steroid era.

Pitching philosophy and the increase in the speed of fastballs also play into it a little.

In 2013, fewer home runs were hit than in any year since 1995. In 2014, even fewer HRs were hit than in 2013. In 2015, the 6th lowest number of HR were hit since '95.

[Lennys Tap]

Doubt it. Pitchers are probably just off of it if anything.

Mediocre middle relievers throwing 95+ - so probably not.

[MU82]

Orange, grapefruit or apple?

[rocky_warrior]

Orange, grapefruit or apple?

Açaí - it's a super fruit.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Global warming....ball travels farther in warm weather.  Look it up

[forgetful]

Of course they are. They always have been. Too much money involved for them not to be

This was my thought.  Did anyone really think they stopped taking PEDs?

[Blackhat]

Pretty sure Trout is on some HGH.   No doubt on Arietta.  We just need Brauny to find the good stuff again.

If college football players are on it you better believe these guys are trying everything with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

[MU82]

We just need Brauny to find the good stuff again.

That would be great. Then he could get outraged while he lies about it and makes sure people get fired to cover his lies!

[Blackhat]

Get back to that 7.8 wins above replacement.

*Actually he might already be back on, I see he got over a 1. OPS.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Pretty sure Trout is on some HGH.   No doubt on Arietta.  We just need Brauny to find the good stuff again.

If college football players are on it you better believe these guys are trying everything with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

You're pretty sure...well that settles it then

[LAZER]

You're pretty sure...well that settles it then

No doubt on Arrieta too, so very settled.

[rocket surgeon]

what's a ped? 

guys in the labs keep on coming up with stuff which isn't illegal...yet, or they come up with masking agents or they come up with stuff that avoids testing positive.  MUsox guy got part of it too-too much money involved.  just axk alex rodriguez

then i'd rank mediocre pitching

don't axk, don't tell  the fans love da long ball

[tower912]

There was just a good article in SI about the % of runs being scored by home run.   Because the pitching is so GOOD, with all of the relievers coming in to throw 15 pitches at 95 mph, teams are unable to consistently string together several consecutive hits.   Yes, there are outliers.   There always are.    The TREND, though, is for fewer and shorter rallies.   Ergo, teams are willing to accept a < .260 hitter because he can hit 25+ dingers.      Now, offenses are about running up pitch counts, walking, hitting home runs.     Because it is increasingly difficult to string together 5 straight singles. 

[brandx]

Pretty sure Trout is on some HGH.   No doubt on Arietta.  We just need Brauny to find the good stuff again.

If college football players are on it you better believe these guys are trying everything with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

Is every star on the juice? Is it possible for some players to be better than others?

I'm just wondering what makes you the "expert" on this. How do you "know" certain players are on PEDS? Was Mickey Mantle on them? He was stronger, faster, and better than anyone else. Had to be, huh.

[rocket surgeon]

Is every star on the juice? Is it possible for some players to be better than others?

I'm just wondering what makes you the "expert" on this. How do you "know" certain players are on PEDS? Was Mickey Mantle on them? He was stronger, faster, and better than anyone else. Had to be, huh.

oh mickey was on the juice, but i don't think it was performance enhancing...in fact, it probably held him back from being an even greater player.  how many times did he come to the field feeling like max mcgee in super bowel I or dock ellis, ohhhh, just about every time he pitched

[Tugg Speedman]

PEDs are as old a sport itself. 

The 1904 winner of the Olympic marathon was a doper.

http://grg51.typepad.com/steroid_nation/2009/02/1904-olympic-marathon-winner-thomas-hicks-kicked-off-modern-era-of-doping-with-strychnine.html

In 1967 Tommy Simpson died in a Tour de France stage climbing the slopes of the Mt. Ventoux.  The reason is an overdose.

http://www.outsideonline.com/1917346/biggest-tdf-scandals-1967—-death-tom-simpson

Simpson is also famous for for his last minutes of life.  After he collapsed, his heart stop, fans on the side of the road that rushed to his aid reported his last words before dying were "put me back on my bike."

In 1977 Arnold Schwarzenegger was profiled on 60 minutes and openly talked about his training regime, which included a 6 week cycle of Steroids.  This arose no suspicion as that is how it was done.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/arnold-no-regrets-about-steroids/


During the 1976 Olympics, Bill Flemming of ABC sports talked about "blood packing" by distance runners.  It was perfectly legal.

https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=dick&p=70&item=B:01359

From the beginning of time until the 1980s, it was normal for an athlete to use PEDs.  Only starting in the 1970s/1980s was PEDs usage considered wrong and banned.  Today's moral outrage is really new.

Two arguments ... Liberterian argument, let them do what they want.

Parent argument, if your high schooler shows talent, you going to take them to a specialists so they learn to shoot themself up?

Tough call.

[Tugg Speedman]

One more thing related to above ...

Modern organized sports traces its roots back to the 1700s.  Cambridge square is exactly one-quarter mile (it's dimensions are where the mile distance comes from).  In the 17th century, the biggest sport was the mile run.  It would go off a noon in Cambridge square (via the clock tower).  Bettors and fans would come from far and wide to watch the race.

Back then any kind of training was considered morally objectionable.  You were supposed to show up and show what you can do "naturally."  Oh, you ran naked because even clothes and shoes were considered an unfair advantage.

Many years into the future, You think today's moral outrage about PEDs will be viewed as antiqued as you view this story?

My bet is yes.

[Blackhat]

I'm just wondering what makes you the "expert" on this.

I've got more friends and in higher places than anyone here could ever dream of.   

My CEO buddy at an underground laboratory that I can't mention, has informed me that the Cubs, Cardinals, and Angels are some of his biggest clients.   

I've already said too much.

[brandx]

I've got more friends and in higher places than anyone here could ever dream of.   

Ok, Chicas.

[MU82]

I've got more friends and in higher places than anyone here could ever dream of.   

My CEO buddy at an underground laboratory that I can't mention, has informed me that the Cubs, Cardinals, and Angels are some of his biggest clients.   

I've already said too much.

Yes ... tell us any more and you'll have to kill us all.