Off-Field Fleece: Schafer’s Fate Sealed by a Rat
Buried in Jon Heyman’s story about the worst free agent signings ever is a nice little tidbit about recently suspended Braves prospect Jordan Schafer. It was always a bit puzzling as to how Schafer was caught for using HGH when there is no HGH test at this time. Well, it seems we have the answer.
MLB has opened an anonymous tip line where players can call in to report of PED usage. Well, someone on the minor league circuit dialed in and ratted out Schafer, which led to the suspension, according to Heyman. Jordan, you were fleeced! Be careful who you befriend is the lesson here, I guess.
This brings up a great argument though. If you were a mid-level prospect on the Braves who busted your butt all offseason and did it the clean way, wouldn’t you be furious that the cream of the crop in the farm system was cheating and thereby taking a potential spot that you might fill? Or is it off limits to be a rat in this spot no matter what? Let us know what you think.
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, _Off-Field Fleeces
Screw Schafer….if a mid-level guy worked hard the natural way, i’d be upset that he was cheating too, i’d probably call in too who cares about being a rat. 1.) it’s anonymous and 2.) don’t feel bad for ratting out Schafer, HE is the one who cheated
Yeah, Joe…the more I think of it, the more I agree with you. I mean, if someone at an office job was getting ahead by using some illegal software programs and you weren’t, wouldn’t it be OK to say something?
I agree for with those comments for the most part. I did vote yes in this poll.
However…
There is really no evidence that HGH in particular IMPROVES performance. What it does do is allow your body to recover faster, thus allowing players to play deeper into the season without fatigue or come back from injury faster. It isn’t like Steroids, however, which create Barry Bonds like guys with gigantic heads and the power to hit a baseball 20000 feet (exaggerations of course, but you get my point).
What HGH use does suggest is that a player is willing to break the rules and cheat, which is certainly cause for concern. I have to wonder what effect Schafer’s HGH use actually had though. Medically, it may have had little effect at all.
I think HGH is just as much cheating as steroids. This is why I have a problem with Andy Pettitte’s comments that “I didn’t use HGH to get an unfair advantage.” Coming back from injuries, improving stamina during the grueling baseball season and avoiding the DL are all part of MLB competition. Face it, if the Braves can keep Glavine, Chipper, Smoltz, Hudson and Hampton healthy and off the DL, they will have a very good shot at winning the division. By taking an illegal substance to speed up your recovery time, you ARE getting an unfair advantage over other injured players with similar injuries who rehab the old fashioned way. Let’s face it, if Pedro takes HGH to speed up his recovery from a hamstring injury, he will give the Mets an unfair advantage since they will get another good arm back quicker, and he can displace a less experienced (Pelfrey) or less talented (Figueroa) pitcher from the rotation.
Very well said, Fred.
I agree, there is no defense for the use of illegal PED’s.
Schafer deserves him punishment.
The funny thing is, there are legal substances like Stemulite and Endethil CR which offer the same kind of benefits that HGH have.
Then again, these jocks are not the smartest people on the planet.