This witch-hunt has got to stop. The mainstream media is desperately seeking to destroy baseball with their constant attempts to get us to hate the sport’s better players or in fact as many players as possible. It doesn’t seem to matter that football players, basketball players, boxers, cyclists, swimmers and half the extreme sports crowd are all seeking the same edge that advanced technology and drugs can bring them. For some reason baseball gets an unfair portion of the negative attention.

Of course, the latest targets are the St. Louis Cardinals’ outfielder Rick Ankiel and third baseman Troy Glaus of the Toronto Blue Jays.  First, it was the New York Daily News going after Ankiel. The pitcher-turned-outfielder allegedly purchased Human Growth Hormone with a legal prescription. He did this back in 2004 before it was placed on Major League Baseball’s banned substance list. And this is a story worth pursuing? Not in my book.  

On Friday afternoon on Sports Illustrated’s website they broke the story that Troy Glaus received steroids back in 2003 from the same Florida pharmacy that has been under investigation by federal authorities. The drugs Glaus received were on baseball’s banned substance list at the time so maybe that makes it a story worth following? I do not think so. Since baseball started their mandatory drug testing Glaus has not failed any drug tests - unless MLB is covering it up and that would be a story. But baseball is not covering anything up. If Bud Selig were any good at spinning the media he wouldn’t be so universally hated by most baseball fans.

Here’s the big question: why do I need to hate these guys? Why are we supposed to hate Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmiero, Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds, and now Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus? Is it because they have supposedly done what according to some sources eighty percent of players have done? I refuse to be manipulated into believing that the accomplishments of any of these guys is less because they might have done what everyone is suspected of doing. I am as much of a Jason Giambi fan today as I have ever been. I still think Rick Ankiel’s comeback is a great story. I think Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Rafael Palmiero belong in the Hall of Fame. And I will not change my mind because Senator Mitchell, Bud Selig, Curt Schilling, the Daily News, Sports Illustrated, or anyone else suggests I should.

Back to Baseball

Since Wayne Krivsky was named the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds I’ve been waiting for him to make one move in particular. I thought it would have happened months ago but it didn’t happen until this week. Joey Votto was called up. Scott Hatteberg has not been a great first base option in a while, so Votto’s call-up has been long overdue.

Votto wasted no time making his presence felt. Votto was the Southern League MVP last season, and he has been the Reds’ hitting prospect most prepared to make an impact all season but still he was ignored. He was moved to the outfield for a while in the minors which I did not understand. But all is right with the Reds now. His first hit was a home run and he also added two singles in his debut that helped break a five-game losing streak for the Reds. Grab him up if that is still possible in your leagues and you should get that power boost you’ve been looking for.

And In Baltimore

Fernando Cabrera has not had a great season. But he has joined the Baltimore Orioles mess of a bullpen and that makes him interesting. With closer Chris Ray likely to miss the 2008 season after having Tommy John surgery and Danny Baez not impressing anyone, Cabrera could be in the mix to become the Orioles closer. He has the talent to do the job and here’s betting the Leo Mazzone still has what it takes to get it out of him. He’s already on my favorite sleepers for 2008 list.

You can send Jon your comments, questions and insults at JonWilliams@SportsGrumblings.com and he’ll be certain to write you back with words of sheer genius.