Wall Street Journal: HGH No Rocket Fuel

According to a Wall Street Journal article, scientific evidence goes against the idea that an HGHed up Roger Clemens would result in an increase in fastball velocity, strength and rage associated with its PED cousin, the anabolic steroid. It will, however, let your body recover like a radioactive Peter Petrelli, but it would seem that is not a point of interest.

What if Roger Clemens did take human growth hormone? It’s not clear his fastballs got any hotter because of it — at least not according to the scientific literature.

Stanford medical school researchers, their curiosity piqued by the brouhaha around athletes using HGH, recently tried to determine if the folks alleged to have used HGH were practicing evidence-based medicine. Do the data demonstrate any benefit for athletes? Little, if any, according to the results published in the current issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

The Stanford researchers found 27 past randomized, controlled studies, with a total of 303 participants, that tested the physiological effects of injections of growth hormone compared with a placebo in healthy people. The studies were also double-blinded, meaning the patients and researchers didn’t know whether they got the HGH or not.

Participants in the studies did seem to show an increase in their lean body mass, which is generally associated with more muscle. But in the two studies that looked at muscle strength, HGH users didn’t show an improvement. One possibility is that HGH is causing fluid retention, Hau Liu, the study’s lead author, tells the Health Blog. It’s hard to differentiate between muscle and fluids, he explains.

A-Rod The Vogue Coverboy

Alex Rodriguez will grace the cover of Men'sVogue come April, though they forwarded the story to me today. The story follows Rodriguez through the years both on and off the baseball diamond.

The April issue will also include an in-depth look at the A-Rod regimen, detailing the many strenuous exercise programs the Yankee third baseman relies upon. Just reading through them made me tired...

Monday calls for a series of "440-, 220-, and 110-yard sprints," which never exceed a mile in length because according to Rodriguez, "When you run long distances, you start getting slower."

Tuesday includes sandpit work and stair sprints. Wednesday has A-Rod complete eighteen straight 110 yard dashes. Thursday is uphill running day! Friday is when Rodriguez does his "high-speed plyometric movements to build muscle." When you have to Wikipedia an exercise, you know the guy's for real... or I'm fat. One of those.

Responding to questions about the shocking World Series opt-out fiasco, Rodriguez said, "I was at home with my wife eating dinner and all of a sudden it came on the television...when my wife talks about that day, she says I looked like a ghost."

I have only perused through the retrospective briefly, but below are some quotes from others in baseball discussing A-Rod. Some of the contributors and statements may surprise you:

What a long strange trip it's been . . .

"I'm Alex's biggest fan. I brag on him so much that my teammates are sick of me talking about him." - Derek Jeter, 1997

On A-Rod, the leader . . .

"He is there for me. He makes being a major leaguer easier. There is nothing you can't talk to him about. He will come up and volunteer things, tell you what he knows from being in the game. He's special. I don't think people see that part of him." - Robinson Cano, 2007

On last year's issues off the field . . .

"I actually think all that stuff kind of helped in a weird way... He was already focused, and now he really focused. It was like, 'Write what you want. I don't care.' I really think his attitude was 'screw it.' I think it was kind of liberating to him, to know that they could only touch him if he let them." - Johnny Damon, 2007

On the media's pension for assigning blame on Rodriguez . . .

"The focal point of the New York media is that Alex has screwed it up again. We know as players that's not how it works." - Curt Schilling, November 2007

On the infamous Esquire interview in which A-Rod ripped Jeter . . .

"What was ignored at the time - and has been all but forgotten ever since - is that [Scott] Boras, who was present at the interview, had egged A-Rod on by reminding him of how many more home runs he'd had than either Jeter or Boston's Nomar Garciaparra...Rodriguez was devastated by the article, but he never made any excuses, never claimed that he had been misquoted, never protested that he had lauded Jeter countless times during that same interview." - Seth Mnookin of Men's Vogue Magazine

On being the richest man in Major League Baseball . . .

"At one point, he was everything that was right with baseball, and after he signed that big contract, the perception is that he's everything that's wrong with it. He has been tremendous for us. But the king wears the heaviest crown." - Brian Cashman, 2007

Not Cool Reggie, Not Cool

No wonder they took his jersey away.

Some Old Joba News

Joba Chamberlain will start the year in the bullpen. I thought we all came to this realization months ago?

With less than two weeks remaining before the Yankees break camp, Joba Chamberlain believes that he will begin the year in New York's bullpen.

"You stretch your innings out and you go from five or six [innings] to one or two, and it's a little bit easier to go that way," Chamberlain said. "It's good. My arm strength is good, and I felt loose in my last outing. I'm looking forward to getting to New York."

"It's a long Spring Training and a lot of things can happen. I knew the situation of what was going to happen. I was hoping everybody would stay healthy and I'd get the chance to do whatever they had set for me."

On potentially joining the starting rotation midseason:

"We'll cross that bridge if it comes," Chamberlain said. "It's one of those things you can say, but until you're put in that situation, you don't know. I think if that comes about, we'll have to sit down and talk about it, but right now we'll just take it one day at a time.

"You can do anything you set your mind to. You've got to be patient. That's kind of the hardest part, just being patient with what's going on, and not get overanxious and rushed."

Journal News: Sabathia 'Audition'

Yesterday, CC Sabathia walked three and gave up five hits - including a towering two-run blast by Shelley Duncan - over four innings. However, the Yankees fans on hand made sure the hefty lefty knew how much he was wanted in pinstripes:

With the new Yankee Stadium being built with the same dimensions as the old one, having left-handers in the rotation will remain a priority. The Yankees also could need a starter as Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte will contemplate retirement after this season.

Sabathia would give the Yankees a veteran at the top of the rotation, easing the pressure on young right-handers Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy.

Even the money could make sense. The Yankees can easily better the offer Cleveland has made as the expiring contracts of Mussina, Pettitte, Bobby Abreu, Kyle Farnsworth, Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano will clear $80.5 million off the books at the end of the season.

Several Yankee fans in the crowd shouted at Sabathia that they hoped to see him in pinstripes next season. He smiled when told that he was the object of their affection.

"I have nothing to say to that," he said. "I'm just focused on this year, then we'll see what happens."

Here's a story of a guy named Patterson. If Scott Patterson had never stubbed his fingers in a doorjam three years ago, he may have never taken up relief pitching. But he did, was forced out of his starter role and promptly lit up minor league batters to the tune of a 1.47 earned run average and 136 strikeouts in 116 innings. "In six games [this March], he has allowed no runs or walks in six innings, and opposing hitters are 1 for 18." I'd say Scottie's moved on from "the sleeper" to a strong candidate to make the big club out of Spring training. I've encountered Patterson while at Trenton last season and he is humble by nature, making this opportunity - at age 28 - a well deserved one.

Hughes, Kennedy Audio Via WFAN

Kim Jones of WFAN and the YES Network spoke to two of Yankees young pitching triumvirate as both Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy joined her program last night. Did anyone else hear the caller who got through and told Jones she had "a great rack" before the startled radio host could dump out? That was pretty uncomfortable, huh.

As he always does, Phil expertly fielded questions about the added pressures of pitching in New York further amplified by the Yankees' refusal to part with the 21 year-old for Johan Santana. Hughes has been consistent in expressing no one can cause more pressure than himself. As odd as the "rack caller" was, the conclusion to the Jones-Hughes interview was equally bizarre as Kim refers to Hughes as "Phil Phil." Yikes.

Kennedy's audio is a bit choppy due to a poor cell phone connection, but he does offer a glimpse into the Yankees locker room, particularly some playful jabs at lockermate Mike Mussina. Kennedy reveals himself to be a deeply religious individual and offered a candid [and encouraging] look at Andy Pettitte as the human-being.

Hughes Audio:

Kennedy Audio:

The Softer Side of Farnsworthless

Johnny Damon thinks Kyle Farnsworth has a bad rap, according to a Daily News piece:

"I always saw Kyle as a guy who went out there and threw hard, worked out - and of course, I'd seen the highlights of him body-slamming guys," says Johnny Damon, whose wife, Michelle, is a friend of Pert's. "When we started hanging out a lot, I saw how different he is. Seeing how great he is with his kids, how laid back he is, he's an awesome guy. It's amazing how a reputation can follow you."

This family man image is news to me considering Farnsworth's rumored legendary pension for extramarital activities.

Happy Hangover Links

[Rhona Mitra, star of the new horror flick Doomsday, helps spice up a lazy Sunday afternoon]


- The Yankees added lefthanded reliever Billy Traber to the 40-man roster. Traber has pitched very well this spring, striking out five and allowing zero runs in four innings of work. He does not have dominating stuff but shockingly throws strikes and flashes a serviceable breaking ball. Joe Girardi likes what he's seen thus far through Spring Training, though Traber could just as easily become a relief version of last year's Chase Wright emergence.

From LoHud:

This not necessarily mean that Traber will be on the man roster on March 31. But don’t bet against it. He has appeared in five games this spring. His line: 4 3 0 0 0 5. Opponents are hitting .167 against him.

“Very intriguing,” Joe Girardi said.

In Other News . . .

• Joba Chamberlain is not having a great Spring, but don't overreact says Pete Abraham.

• Roger Clemens [and Brian Cashman] helped ease the heartache for a family who lost their son during the tragic events of 9/11.

• Shelley Duncan will appeal his three-game suspension. So will Melky Cabrera.
  
  
• Bill Madden says the young Yankees pitching faces some daunting history.
  
  
• Murray Chass wonders if the AL East is becoming a four team derby?
  

Have A Nice Weekend, From BL

Believe it or not, this post is sports related. Anna Semenovich is an Olympic hopeful for her native Russia, although most of her fan base root for what she does off the ice.

Anna was just brought to my attention yesterday, but may have overtaken Sophia Vergara as the hottest broad on the planet. I will be MIA the rest of the weekend, but here is an Anna slideshow as well.

Santana Was Almost A Texan

According to Sports Illustrated, Johan Santana and Torii Hunter were close to becoming Texas Rangers this offseason. Something tells me the Rangers never came quite as close to acquiring the Twins twosome as they lead on.

Several weeks before Santana went to the Mets, the Texas Rangers came very close to making a blockbuster trade for the superstar pitcher, people familiar with those talks say.

The Rangers kept their intentions and progress remarkably quiet this winter, but sources indicate that they were actually the most aggressive early pursuer of Santana, who they viewed him as a rotation-transforming pitcher. Some are suggesting now that they believe the Rangers would have been willing to pay Santana as much or more than the $137.5 million, six-year contract -- or technically, $124 million, five-year extension -- he got from the Mets.

Indications are that Texas' trade discussions with the Twins progressed to the point where there was either agreement or near agreement on the young players going back to Minnesota. At that point, executives involved in the talks believed that the trade was very likely to be consummated if only Santana gave a more enthusiastic response when Twins higher ups quizzed him about whether he'd accept a trade to the Rangers.

Word is, Santana actually thought about the Rangers long enough to have quizzed his long-time Twins teammate Torii Hunter, a free agent, about his own intentions. But it appears that when Hunter, a resident of Prosper, Texas, and close friend of Rangers manager Ron Washington, was noncommittal about whether he'd sign with the Rangers (he eventually signed with the Angels), Santana appears to have followed Hunter's lead.

Also from Jon Heyman's column comes a tidbit on Andy Pettitte in which the SI scribe writes it was Brian Cashman - and not Pettitte - who canceled his last Spring Training start "as a precaution."

Heyman also says "Boston isn't expecting miracles from Bartolo Colon."

Yanks To Unveil Custom V-Tech Cap Tuesday

Cabrera, Duncan Suspended 3 Games

Both Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan have been suspended three [regular season] games stemming from Wednesday's incident in which Duncan spiked a Tampa Rays player. Jonny Gomes was suspended two games for his weak dance move shove attempt after riding in from rightfield.

Coaching staff, including Joe Girardi were not suspended but fined for what appears to be nothing. Early word from the "brawl" fallout reveals Girardi instructed his players not to go crazy in looking for retribution toward the Rays. It's unclear if the Yankees can or will appeal the suspensions, especially because of the substantial length of time before the season starts.

Pettitte OK After Bullpen Session.

After an elbow issue scratched him from his start on Wednesday, Andy Pettitte longtossed, threw some warmup pitches and then 40 more off the mound without any discomfort or setbacks.

“I felt great, really great,” said Pettitte, who skipped his last start with slight elbow tendinitis. “I have no concerns.”

Pettitte's next start will be against Boston where he should build up to five innings or 70 pitches of work.

You Can't Make It Up

From the LoHud master himself, comes this hilarious Kei Igawa success story:

Kei Igawa threw a bullpen before the game and wanted somebody to stand at the plate and pose as a batter.

His interpreter, Yohei Fukuda, volunteered.

You can guess what happened. Yes, Igawa hit him with a pitch.

This event has inspired me to write a Haiku . . .

• Great Kei Igawa,
• Walks, homeruns and hit-by-pitch,
• Money down the drain.
  

Mets Want To Be All-Stars Too

From the AP:

The New York Mets have emerged as the likely host for baseball's All-Star game in 2013.

Yankee Stadium, entering its final season, is the site of this year's game on July 15, with the 2009 All-Star game scheduled for St. Louis. The Los Angeles Angels are the likely host in 2010, with Arizona the leading contender for 2011 and Kansas City a strong possibility for the following year.

The Mets move from Shea Stadium to Citi Field next season.

"We were informed by the commissioner that after moving into City Field, we would have an All-Star game but no date has been set," Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Thursday following similar comments by chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon to ESPN.com.

Mussina Throws Five Perfect. Building on his last exhibition start, Mike Mussina lasted five perfect innings today, striking out two along the way. Mussina pitched inside with purpose, and showed the usual good curveball, but his fastball was still 86-88mph. His slow changeup - 70-73mph - was also working well. The Pirates lineup is no murderer's row, but we all realize if Moose had allowed 8 runs on 7 hits to the Bucs his critics would be in an uproar. Therefore, it's only fair to recognize his effectiveness through five economical innings - needing 52 pitches and throwing 32 strikes.

• Damaso Marte pitched a scoreless inning, striking out Derek Jeter and allowing a hard-hit single to Melky Cabrera. Marte used his plus fastball at 94-95mph and flashed a devastating 85mph slider which had Jeter looking foolish. If the Yankees could ever pull off a trade for the dominant lefthander it would be a huge boost to a questionable bullpen.

• Jose Veras had a solid ninth inning, striking out one and shattering a bat with his mid-90s fastball.

• Shelley Duncan made a smart play at first base which saved a run for Mariano Rivera. He then tackled the baserunner, insisting he was only trying to "hug it out."

Pettitte Already Throwing Again. After yesterday brought news of Andy Pettitte missing his start due to "mild elbow tendinitus," the lefty appears to be moving forward quickly and without incident... so far.

Andy Pettitte played catch this morning and had no discomfort in his elbow. He will throw his usual bullpen tomorrow, complete with long toss to warm up.

No doubt the Yankees will take every precaution with Pettitte. Though he appears to be good to go right now, any mention of elbow discomfort regarding a pitcher is something to be weary over. Johnny Damon, who received an encouraging MRI after fouling a ball off his toe, replaced Billy Crystal in the DH spot.

It's 1pm, Do You Know Where Your Billy Crystal Is?

That was a rhetorical question killer. But the correct answer was leading off in the DH spot at Legends Field: Tampa, Florida.

UPDATE: Crystal strikes out & the circus goes home

Gomes vs. Shelley in a battle of semi-pros
If the photo doesn't do it for you, here's the video.