Thursday, November 29, 2012

An Open Letter to Carlos Ruiz




Dear Carlos,
In a league of big shots and assholes, on a team of overpaid and under-producing players, you were OUR guy. You were all grit and hustle. You had this bright smile and hard-nosed play that we, as fans, loved. Now you are just a druggie user. Once adored by the mailman in Torresdale, put on a pedestal by the teacher in Conshohocken, and glorified by the scientist in Glenside… once lovingly known as Chooch, now you are the same to me as Bonds, Clemens, Palmeiro, etc. The funny thing is, you did not have to do it. You were a World Champ, the general of the pitching staff, and a stellar defensive catcher. Panamania is dead to me. Once one of my favorite Phillies players, you have now gone the way of Abreu, Bell, Qualls, and Bastardo. That is not really fair to those four, because as far as we know, there only fault was dogging it or just completely sucking. You disappointed legions of Phillies fans and your use of an amphetamine with no diagnosed therapeutic use is a disgrace. The bigger and even less known fact is: This had to be Ruiz's second positive test for a stimulant. An initial positive for a stimulant does not trigger a suspension, only that the player must undergo follow-up testing. You have proven that you didn’t learn. You consciously decided to continue a banned substance AFTER you were given a second chance. You don’t get a third chance with this, and hopefully many other fans.
 
I looked at your average offensive output from 2008-2011: .267 Batting average, 42 RBIs, and 7 HRs… that is above average for a MLB catcher. Your true value was in your defense and play behind, not at, the plate. How much of your hustle was drug induced? Is this the first year you used Adderall? I will not cheer for you. You will not get a pass with this fan. I think the hypocritical Philly fans will look the other way when it is one of their own getting caught using a banned substance. If this was a Met, the fans would have signs and  throw pills on the field. I won’t do that, but you are a disgrace to the game, nothing you do from here on will make up for it. RIP Chooch.

Disgustedly,
BL Chris

As it pertains to Major League Baseball, in 2011 a total of 105 players were granted exemptions under the league’s drug policy to fill prescriptions for Adderall according to an NBCSports.com article. That’s 13% of MLB players are “legally” on Adderall, a much higher rate than the general population. The CDC states on their website that Adderall is therapeutically used by 3-7% of the US population.  Medical experts have also stated that Adderall is/can be used as a masking agent for performance enhancing steroids and can have long-term cardiovascular implications. Earlier this year, Major League Baseball tightened criteria for obtaining such exemptions in response to criticism stemming from the abnormally high rate of prescriptions among its players. As of last June, players receiving exemptions to use Adderall or other such stimulants need the approval of a three-expert panel. In the past, only one individual reviewed and decided on such requests.

36 comments:

  1. It breaks my heart! My mind still cannot process this at it's months later!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was wondering if I could use this write-up on my other website, I will link it back to your website though. Great Thanks.


    Gastroenterolog

    ReplyDelete

  3. The website is looking bit flashy and it catches the visitors eyes. Design is pretty simple and a good user friendly interface.

    tellthebell.com

    ReplyDelete

  4. I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people.
    Gastroenterology

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is really nice to read.Thanks to sharing.

    general health


    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice knowledge gaining article. Tis post is really the best on this valuable topic.
    Travel places 2021

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pleasant information acquiring article. Tis post is actually the awesome this important subject.
    krogerfeedback

    ReplyDelete

  8. Thanks for sharing the post. . parents are worlds best person in each lives of individual..they need or must succeed to sustain needs of the family.

    greatpeople

    ReplyDelete

  9. Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.


    krogerstores

    ReplyDelete

  10. This is a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it
    what is gastroenterology

    ReplyDelete

  11. This is such a great resource that you providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
    what is gastroenterology

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great article Lot's of information to Read... Great Man Keep Posting and update to People..Thanks
    health and fitness tips

    ReplyDelete

  13. I am definitely enjoying your website. You definitely have some great insight and great stories.
    wvw-greatpeople.me

    ReplyDelete
  14. Exactly, you're very kind of us about comment!.

    krogerfeedback

    ReplyDelete

  15. Its a great pleasure reading your post.Its full of information I am looking for and I love to post a comment that "The content of your post is awesome" Great work.
    Do Assignment For Me

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing.. Please visit my website. We provide our customers with the highest quality products in an assortment of materials, including Genuine Leather Jacket Womens

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.


    tellthebelltacobell

    ReplyDelete

  19. You know your projects stand out of the There is something special about them. It seems to me all of them are really brilliant!


    krogerfeedback.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I’ve been surfing more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.
    McDVOICE Survey

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your blog is genuinely key, you bound a great deal of data for us. It truly had staggering substance. Thankful for sharing this. visit my site. Write My Research Paper

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hey what a brilliant post I have come a cross and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this.

    tellthebelltacobell

    ReplyDelete

  23. Great Information sharing .. I am very happy to this article .. thanks for giving us go through info.Fantastic nice. I appreciate this post.

    krogerstores

    ReplyDelete



  24. The electronic signature online application presents a great opportunity.
    Modern businesses require a digital partner to boost their document management. DocSignPro is going to be your perfect partner when inserting digital signature online pdf documents...


    docsignpro

    ReplyDelete
  25. kala jadu ka tor taweez Naade Ali hai yani agr ap ko kala jadu se kisi bhe tarha طرح shifa na mil rahi ho aur es silsilay سلسلے me ap ne har tarha ka zoor lagha لگا lia ho tu Dua Naade Ali Panjtani پنجتنی ka daman دامن zaroor thaam تھام lain , Insha Allah jadu tu kyia es ka baap باپ bhe ap ka picha پیچھا hameesha k liye chorr چھوڑ de gha Azma lain .
    kala jadu ka tor taweez
    kala jadu ka tor taweez

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  26. Paknance
    We are Paknance, Pakistan’s 1st NFT marketplace. We are working for the development of digital Pakistan by providing all Pakistanis a platform to sell their original and authentic content. Our tangible and intangible gadgets include Virtual avatars and online game skins. You can trade with virtual items and technology on our website. One can buy and sell online game skins to enhance their experience. You can start your NFT Marketing from our website. Our website is https://paknance.com/

    ReplyDelete
  27. Excellent and very exciting site. Love to watch. Keep Rocking.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The article was up to the point and described the information very effectively. Thanks to blog author for wonderful and informative post.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you so much Love your blog..

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am definitely enjoying your website. You definitely have some great insight and great stories.

    ReplyDelete