The Bronx Bombers

It's terrible to say they lived up to their nicknames, but they did for 2 days in a row. The most excitement has been watching Willie Randolph get tossed tonight. This has been a tough week for the Yankees. In the cellar in the AL East and losing 2 to the NY Mets. The Monday morning News and Post will shame them. Maybe it will spark a cure for what ails the Yankees. Somehow I don't think so.

I was at tonight's game. The 4th inning ran from 8:57 to 9:33. Most of that was because Chien-Ming Wang did something unusual he pitched to the side. That rattled Wang and he was lost for the rest of the game.



In contrast I saw a good defense by the Yanks. Cano's must be taking acrobatic lessons from Jeter, because he he beginning to look like a younger 2nd base version. I don't' blame Gonzalez for his E5 in the 1st, he had to look straight into the lights. He tried.



Unlike many I am not ready to flush the Yankees yet. They were in this state last year, the Bronx is full of Yankees miracles. While I don't see another White Hat Cowboy galloping in to save the pitching, you don't know what deals are in the works. Frankly if the youngsters can be saved, I would keep the status quo. The potential of our youth is worth a Roger Clemens deal. What the Yankees really need is another switch hitter.



As for me I washed off the stink of tonight's game by stopping by M&M World in Times Square ( They are open 9AM-midnight). Wild Cherry M&Ms did the trick.



The morning NY Daily News is already heralding Perez, he stunck, he threw 1 hittable strike for every 5-6 balls he tossed. The Yankees were dumb they chased the balls. Why they got out; patience would have been better for the Yankees.

The Kei Didn't Work In the Lock

As I suspected Kei Iqawa can't picht to MLB hitters. He he faced the Detroit Tigers tonight. Three innings, 11 hits and 6 earned runs by the Tigers, he was yanked in the 4th and replaced with Jonathan Albaladejo. It will be interesting to see if Albaladejo holds off the Tigers, as they mauled him on May 1.

More game to come; but I hope the Kei Iqawa experiment is over. If the Kei doesn't work, replace it with a new one.

The Return of Kei Igawa

Kei Igawa has been called up from Scranton to be the #5 Starter. He will face the Detroit Tigers in Detroit this weekend. Given his track record, I am hedging my bets. The question remains if Kei has been fixed or if he will revert to his old bad habits. We can only tune into the games to watch.

The return of Kei is another sign of the Cashman's reluctance to put Joba in the starting rotations and that Cashman is still calling the personnel shots.

Of course if Kei goes down in flames, then I think there is a good chance that Chamberlain makes a start.

Time to get out those good luck charms, as Kei is not yet proven himself as a valuable south paw. And for those that argue that Andy Pettitte had troubled Yankee youth with growing pains, well Andy at least made it to the 5th in his worst games.

And if the Kei does not fit, will it be Joba or another Scranton call up?

Baseball Player's Drugs of Choice

I spent the better part of my professional career as lab rat / pharmaceutical engineer testing anabolic steroids and HGH. The correct drug name for HGH is Somatropin and the anabolics are Nandrolone decanoate (Deca-Durabolin) and Nandrolone phenylpropionate (Durabolin). I worked for the drug company, that manufactured them, they still do, thought I have moved on to provite consulting.

Anabolic Steriods

The anabolic steroids are sterile injections. The drug active is solubilized in Sesame Oil and filled into pre-sterilized vials or syringe for sale to hospitals. It is sued to promote tissue growth in after trauma, either trauma from ambulation or surgical removal. It is commonly given to women who have radical mastectomies to promote growth of the breast tissue and muscle that is removed with the cancer. Having handled the product for testing, I cannot imagine injecting it; it’s like injecting a tablespoon of oil under the skin. Its use is to promote muscle and tissue growth after cancer or where limb amputation has occurred.

The powder forms of the drug actives are common sold to illegal drug manufacturers. They manufacturer the liquid forms. The liquid forms must still solubilized in an oil solvent, however the activity is limited. True performance of the product is from injecting the sterilize liquid under the skin. The only approved legal form of both drugs, a sterile injection. Both active drugs are destroyed in the stomach, therefore oral medications have limited activity until a liquid partially absorbed in the oral mucosa.

The two active substances, Nandrolone decanoate and Nandrolone phenylpropionate are chemically synthesized. Not of animal origin but similar to the naturally occurring hormone in the body. Both materials have been around as approved since 1959. My knowledge of these drugs and Somatropin, HGH comes from the extensive safety precautions we were trained in just to test he materials, raw material and finished drugs.

HGH, Somatropin

Somatropin was originally obtained from urine. The drug hormone was extracted chemical and recrystallized to be prepared for an injectable substance. The original assay for testing the product involved animals. The original drug manufacturer was Eli Lilly & Company of Indiana.

In the late 80’s with the advances in tissue culture, a synthetic form of Somatropin became available. This was desirable due to the issue surround natural substances. Substance of animal origin must be tested for infectious diseases including viruses, especially the hard to detect HIV/HTLV viruses as well as Hepatitis B and C. The new substance could be made using mouse cells implanted with the HGH production gene. The new form of drug manufacture was cheaper and safer.

With the new technology came a new requirement. There must be a validated analytical test for the product, no more animal assay. The FDA and industry does not like animal assays, they have issues, beyond the use of animals. Approval of the better from of HGH required a repeatable analysis other than an animal assay could quarantine the safety of the patient taking the drug.

The new assay for Somatropin using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for testing the product. It still uses a rat assay as well as HPLC in testing the drug raw material. However the official test is the HPLC Assay.

For the non chemists out there, HPLC generates a wavelength pattern unique to the material tested. Each pattern is fingerprint, unique to that product. This test has been around and approved or 15 years now, despite claims from MLB Commissioner Bud Selig it (the test) didn’t exist. The International Olympic Committee and other international athletic organization have been using this test to detect HGH use in athletes since the early 90s.

Somatropin is also a product only absorbed through injection. While some absorption through the mouth or through the skin can occur, the official route of administration is injection. It like the anabolics steroids is a very dangerous drug with serious side effects.

None of these materials were designed to be used in the athlete's game of Russian Roulette for enhanced performance.

Official dose information and route of administration on HGH and anabolic steroids can be found on the FDA website, http://www.fda.gov/.

MLB Owner Admits Some Drugs Are OK with Him

Until this morning I thought Hank and George Steinbrenner had the greatest brain to mouth dysfunction. According to ESPN, an unidentified major league baseball team owner (not from New York) came out and stated he really isn’t concerned about his athletes taking performance enhancing drugs, he is concerned with alcoholism, cocaine and marijuana use: substances and drugs that can impair performance. If that is the truth, it explains the hesitance of the commissioner’s office to test for HGH. It’s back to being all about the money not player health.

One truth for sure, the HGH era has lead to a rise in baseball profits, on both the major and minor league level. During this era of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, we have increased the number of major league teams, and expanded the minor leagues.

Minor league baseball, once an endangered species north of the Mason-Dixon line, has seen expansion by the major teams of Baltimore, Philadelphia, St. Louis, the New York Yankees, the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox’s. The majority of the minor league training program for both Philadelphia and the New York Yankees is concentrated within a 90 minute drive of each team.

The Phillies have 6 minor league teams, two housed in Florida, the Clearwater Threshers, an “A” level team and the Gulf Coast Phillies, an “R” or recruitment/rookie training team. The rest of the Phillies organization is in PA, except for one of two minor league “A” teams, the Lakewood Blue Claws, located in Lakewood NJ.

The New York Yankees also have 6 minor league affiliates, however three, the Staten Island Yankees, the Trenton Thunder and the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Dogs are located in NY, NJ and PA respectively. Despite this strong presence of MLB farm teams; there are many other minor league teams, with no MLB affiliation that are turning a baseball profit.

In the last decade, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) has expanded. The league has no affiliation with any major league baseball team this league operates in MD, PA, NJ, NY, and CT. The league founded in 1998 has brought baseball to areas where it once had faded. With that rise of baseball fever, came the MLB minor league teams to the same area, to cash in on the dollars. In search of affordable family fun, a night at an ALPB game or any MLB minor league can be less than $100 for a family. The same type of event in the MLB could run over $500 for a family.

For MLB teams, acquiring the northern minion league teams brings them new facilities. Most stadiums are less than 15 years old and designed to bring the family to the ballpark. The Yankees in the last 5 years have moved “AAA” and “AA” operations to Scranton and Trenton. And with the local popularity of baseball in NJ and PA, it guarantees they will fill the stadium; by allowing access to their developing replacement players or a site close to home for the injured to have rehab starts.

In contrast the ALPB is league of ex-players. While there are some young minor league players, the vast majority of the league is ex-MLB pros, who aren’t ready to turn in their spikes. Most notably among the names are John Rocker and Jose Canseco. The league maximum is $3000 a month, and most survive on endorsements or a well –invested MLB salary. However the stands still fill each night.

The Mitchell Report was Pandora’s Box, a plaque on baseball. Like the movie “Outbreak” the plaque continues to spread, however as of yet, no impact on baseball profits has been seen. Like watching Ian Kennedy pitch I am waiting for the other shoe to drop on baseball profits. And with this latest anonymous owner comments you have to wonder if they were just looking the other way all this time.

How will America respond now that some owner has hinted it is all about the money? We can only wait and see.

Eight Belles Places Then is Euthanized

Eight Belles, the only filly in the Kentucky Derby field of 20 today broke both ankles after coming in second at the Derby this evening. The 3 year old horse was euthanized immediately, taking the joy from her trainers and owners who moments before were excited she had come in second, 4 1/2 lengths behind Derby winner Big Brown.

Two years ago, Barbaro the 2006 Derby winner suffered a similar fate in just one leg at the Preakness in Baltimore, the 2nd leg in the Triple Crown. Extensive surgeries were performed, however Barbaro was eventually euthanized in January of 2007 and in January of this year, Barbaro's ashes were buried at Churchill Downs.

A Real Long Shot

As an aside to baseball, there is another traditon, the Triple Crown, which starts today in Kentucky. Many baseball owners and curernt and former player own race horses. Notobaly the Steinbrenners and Joe Torre have had horses contend for the Derby in recent years.

Today marks the 134th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. The post positions for the 6 PM race are this:

I like Gayego

and the filly Eight Belles.

Of course predicting the winner of a horse race is even more a gamble then predicting the World Series winner in baseball.

Off the Critical List

After being swept by the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees put Chien-Ming Wang on the mound and came away with a 5-1 win. The win, also marked the return of Yes Network Broadcaster Bobby Murcer to the broadcast booth. Murcer underwent a second brain biopsy in March. The biopsy revealed the mass to be only scar tissue. Our best goes out to Bobby for his improving health.

As for the Yankees, I think they still have a long road to recovery, but finally are taking the right medicine.

As predicted Hank has spoken again; however a little more toned down. Hank spoke to the media in Tampa Friday, stating his disappointment with the team’s start.

As to the Yankees' recovery….. see the 2007/2008 comparison:

As you can see the Yankees are in better shape today, with shaky starting pitching and the loss of Posada’s bat then they were this same day last year. And pitching seems to be improving for Mike Mussina, who has struggled a lot this April.

While the Yankees have not recovered yet, Spring Fever appears to be abating and May will tell if the Yankees climb or sink.

The infusion of youngsters, excited and talented youngsters from the minors seems to have given the Yankees the Geritol shot they needed.

Anything can happen from day to day in baseball, and no one can make a solid bet on where a team will land in September. However right now I am taking the Yankees from Critical to Cautionary as improvement has been shown.

The All Star Game Carrot Dangling

The NY Yankees are in the midst of a dilemma, give up All-Star Game tickets to the season tickets holder with plans A, B and C or make MLB and FOX television network happy by comping the baseball sponsors and the Hollywood crowd that works on FOX Shows. The Yankees are caving to FOX and MLB.

To date only Plan A holders have been allowed to purchase the allotted tickets. Tickets for the holders of B and C plans are on hold. In response I have entered the All-Star Game ticket lottery. Lonn Trost is putting the screws to the fans again.

Trost is all about the buck. The Yankees, already the most expensive ticket in regular season sports, is losing seats in the new digs. In response, Trost has created luxury seating costing between $500-2500 per seat per game for the privilege of being part of the chosen few behind home plate.

Now Lonnie is about to rip out the fan's hearts, deny most access to the All-Star Game. Shame on you Lonn and shame on the Yankees for chasing the buck and not the fan base.

George Steinbrenner may have told the fans at ground breaking he was doing this for the fans, but clearly the heirs to the house that George is building don't give a damn.

Baseball is a business, and this proves the new Yankee management would rather make a buck. Old King George would have told Fox and MLB to wait, and not kept the All-Star carrot dangling in front of the fans.

This makes me wonder what direction the new Yankee management will take as they steer this team through this century. It's not look so far; one can always hope.

Roger Who?

Anyone who believes baseball players or any celebrity, athlete or any overly compensated person is a saint is also a believer of the tooth fairy. That said I still admire Clemens, for the same reason I can respect, Jeter, Pettitte, A-Rod, etc. They give back to the community, mainly to make a better life for the the future of this nation.

Hell if I was good looking and a 20 something I would sleep with Roger. That does not make him a leaper.

I am not the biggest A-Rod fan, and he has documented himself as a two-timer to the then pregnant Mrs. A-Rod. But despite that Alex has donated millions to the Boys/Girls Club of America, not to be memorialized, but because he is where he is in MLB because of that organization.

Alex recognizes what is important in molding the future of America to be good citizens.

I like Angela Jolie as a talented actress, as a persons she is misguided. She reaches out to Africa to adopt children and donate money, a chic Hollywood/celebrity fad. I don't' care, I hope the UN and WHO feed and cares for them all, but Angie baby there are thousands of children here in the US who need love and sustenance also. Start here. When you concur our children ,t hen go global. Be like Alex, Derek, Roger and all, Do for our children first set the example then you can help the billions.

My personal opinions about A-rod aside, he gives back here first. We have problem here, the baseball athletes give back to where they came form, the US, Central America, South America, Asia. Mo helps the the kids in Panama, Abreu in his native land, Posada in Puerto Rico with Bernie William, part of the reason I love baseball. Jeter provide to children through the US, first starting in Michigan, New York and New Jersey. But he message is clear. Help the kids be good citizens and you will improve society.

Hollywood goes and adopt children from foreign lands, it's chic. What have they down for the 4 year old child in Newark who has no one to love her or him? the child who's life is set to be a dud? Fix our problems with poverty and unwanted children who need loving homes first, then go and deal with another continent. Athletes aren't ignoring our unwanted unloved kids, but Hollywood is.

That is part of my love of baseball, even if they aren't saints, the players give back, back to the kids, help them achieve, aspire, be better. Roger could be a polygamist for all I care, he gives back. Judge him or A-Rod as you feel, but first account for all the good they have done with the money they have earned as super athletes. That goes a long way in my book.

Don't judge me wrong, the kids in Africa need help too, but start here, fix here first, then go global. The USA is the great bread basket tot he world, but we cannot ignore our own. Our basbeall players rarely do. My reason for if they sin greatly I can forgive. They give back to make better life.