A Sea Of Red

ESPN is reporting an article from the SF Chronicle, that Paul Byrd was heavily into HGH in the early 2000's, when he resurrected his career.

Paul Byrd, who pitched the Cleveland Indians to the brink of the World Series with a victory in Game 4 of the ALCS on Tuesday, bought nearly $25,000 worth of human growth hormone and syringes, according to a published report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2 ... id=3072845

I hate to hear this, because everything I hear about him is that Byrd is a quality guy...and a "deeply religious man, according to Buster Olney this AM...
...but it illustrates the pressure players face to get to the Show and stay there. Byrd, of course, has never been a blow the hitters away pitcher. I almost shudder that the thought of the names that could come out next, especially in the Mitchell report.

As the parent of a college player, it scares me to think of the college players who have heard about how the stuff DOES WORK, and would be willing to sacrifice their health, and eligibility, if caught by the NCAA, to use the steroids and HGH. Several years ago, the NCAA was considering adding baseball to the year-round random testing program, along with track and football, which are already tested. Of course, COST was the reason they did not. Perhaps it is time the NCAA revisits it.

A different article on FoxSports.com:

"At the insistence of a close friend, I went and had my hormones checked . . . To my surprise, the doctor told me that I was producing very little growth hormone and prescribed a dosage to help me out. I didn't like sticking a needle in my inner thigh each night but I sure did enjoy the sleep that occurred afterwards. My life changed during that time and I was able to work o

"Like the other temptations that I've mentioned in this book, I had a new one to deal with one night when I stuck that needle in the hormone-filled bottle. I wondered if I doubled my prescribed dose, whether or not I would throw harder and have a better and possibly longer career. After all, I had a prescription.

"Some strange silent voices ran across my brain and had conversations with me as I pulled back the syringe. I remember having thoughts that doing better on the field could mean more money for my family, my charities and even supporting churches. Then I prayed and realized that God was in control of my life and he wouldn't want me making money through cheating the system."

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7358706?MSNHPHMA

There is a liberty university athletic staffer who baby sat his children back in the day

Wow, that Fox article is pretty interesting. If you believe Byrd, and I have no reason not to, he sounds like a really great guy. If a doctor scripts it, and it sounds like three doctors recommended it, not to mentione the fact that he had a tumor, I certainly don't have a problem with his use of HGH.

in a perfect world neither would any sports league NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA


Marvin Harrison needed this to get back to playing football b/c all of the injuries, sounds like he needed it to...the only problem is it can get out of hand quickly for those who want to abuse the system...but it's necessary for some to use it...heck thats why some doctors (that are legit) will prescribe it...b/c they know they need it

Something I just learned tonight...George Mitchell who is heading up the investigation for the MLB is also on the board for the Boston Red Sox...I'd HATE to think that this came out before game 6 or 7 b/c GM leaked the info....that could look really really bad

FoxSports had a big article about it today...and ESPN just ran the story on SportsCenter.