CINCINNATI — The poster test.
In assessing professional athletes — in this case, baseball players — I fall back on a familiar refrain. Would I allow the guy’s poster on my sons’ walls?
It isn’t an exact science. Some guys have hair appeal (Johnny Damon). Some ooze cool (Derek Jeter). And still others are motivation for the height-challenged, namely Dustin Pedroia, who could be a jockey, and Tim Lincecum, who looks like he wandered off the set of “The Wonder Years” with Fred Savage.
Now, the poster test has become a drug test.
No Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, A-Rod, Sammy Sosa or Manny Ramirez Fatheads. Having covered the game for the better part of 15 years, I can’t say that revelations about any of these guys floored me.
Big Papi — that was different. The idea of Boston’s David Ortiz as a cheat was harder to wrap the mind around. Not because he was any less likely to gain a competitive edge. The number of players who did that from 1989 through 2003, if not longer, is staggering.
It was just that he didn’t look or act the part. He was a Dominican Babe Ruth, a big belly and an even bigger smile. When he evolved from unknown Twins slugger into the greatest clutch hitter of the decade, it should have raised more questions.
But Papi was phat. And fat.
Besides, he was never afraid to talk about the issue, going so far as to say in spring training in February that those caught using performance-enhancing drugs should be banned for a year.
Then he gets busted, outed by The New York Times as one of the 104 players who tested positive during 2003’s survey testing to determine whether major-league baseball needed a steroids policy. Ramirez was also on that list, confirming suspicions he was a chronic user, since he has now been busted in 2003 and 2009.
Ortiz said he was stunned. Red Sox Nation was saddened.
People, especially Yankees fans, scream that Boston’s 2004 and 2007 World Series titles are tainted because of Ortiz and Ramirez. That’s funny, since the Mitchell report, though painfully incomplete, is practically a Yankees roll call.
Rockies fans, no doubt, will saddle up the high horse, believing that 2007 should be seen through a different lens. Same for the Indians. You get the idea.
Problem is, that assumes everyone on your team is clean.
That’s a dangerous leap of faith, regardless of the current levels of testing. What the last 20 years screams, unfortunately, is that some cheaters were better than others.
The obvious reaction? Disgust. The recommended protest? Don’t buy the poster.
Footnotes.
The anticipated cage match between the Red Sox and Yankees at the trading deadline fizzled. Boston was the clear winner, acquiring Victor Martinez and Casey Kotchman. The Yankees missed out on Jarrod Washburn, and landed only utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. . . . Not surprised Roy Halladay wasn’t traded. Toronto wanted teams to back up the truck with prospects, something many are reluctant to do in this economy. Cheap labor creates cost certainty. . . . Arizona front office executive Jerry Dipoto, a former Rockie, is emerging as a strong candidate to become the Nationals’ general manager. He finished second for the Seattle job last winter. . . . Brandon Webb’s shoulder situation mirrors that of Jeff Francis. Rehab allowed him to feel strong enough to avoid surgery because nothing crazy was showing up on the MRIs. But like Francis, Webb suffered a setback every time he increased intensity. Surgery seems inevitable for Webb, which, if that’s the case, would have been a much better choice in April than August. . . . Is it too late to form the Comedy Central division, packing together the Pirates, Indians and Padres? Their lineups just scream split squad in spring training. . . . If the Mets’ Citi Field played any bigger, it would be declared a national park. The ball just does not carry anywhere but to left field. . . . The Rangers won’t go away in the American League West. Too bad Tom Hicks is selling the team because of financial issues. This was the one summer they actually needed room in the budget. . . . Headline following the dismissal of Mets assistant GM/WWE wannabe Tony Berna- zard: “The Shirt Hits the Fan”. . . . If Troy Tulowitzki doesn’t win a Gold Glove, it’s a shame. Not since John Elway has a Denver athlete made so many acrobatic, off-balance throws. . . . Hope George Sherrill brought Advil to Los Angeles. Dodgers manager Joe Torre is a lot of things, including a steady leader, but he’s no friend to relievers. He will keep running guys out there until their tires are bald. . . . Jake Peavy? Really? The idea for the White Sox to acquire him made a heck of a lot more sense when he was healthy. . . . Along those lines, can anybody explain the Reds’ pickup of Scott Rolen’s huge contract? . . . Watching Cliff Lee on Friday night brought back images of CC Sabathia circa 2008. American League pitchers love coming to the NL, which has nowhere near the muscle.
EYE ON …
Matt Holliday, LF, Cardinals
Background: By nature Holliday is a simple man. As criticism of him mounted in Oakland — he was labeled a Coors Field Frankenstein — Holliday shrugged. “I could live in a small Oklahoma town with my wife and kids and be fine,” Holliday said. “I don’t care what people say about me.” Still, Holliday knew he was better than he had shown, and getting hot gave him a fresh start in baseball heaven.
What’s up: The Cardinals, who have wanted Holliday since November, acquired the left fielder for three players. In an interesting twist, Brett Wallace, the centerpiece of the deal for Oakland, learned under Holliday’s brother Josh at Arizona State. Wallace might become a star someday. Holliday is a star reborn. Since arriving in St. Louis, he has hit .606 (20-for-33) with 10 extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in nine games.
Renck’s take: In talking to Holliday, he admitted the transition from Colorado to Oakland was harder than anticipated. He had to adjust to new pitchers, new teammates and a new life as a rental player. He became distracted, preoccupied more with where he was going than what he was doing. Many scoffed at Holliday in June, that he would never approach the $84 million he turned down from the Rockies last spring. Well, he’s back on pace to hit 20 home runs with 100 RBIs again. Those aren’t Mark Teixeira numbers, but with the Yankees, Mets and possibly Red Sox all needing a left fielder this winter, he will get paid. If the Oakland experience taught him anything, it’s to go where he will be happy, not make the most money. Here’s a suggestion: Live in Colorado year-round and play in St. Louis. It’s hard to beat, surrounded by friends in the winter and hitting behind Albert Pujols in the summer.
AT ISSUE
It’s time for Rose to be judged by his peers
What: There were signs the ice was finally thawing between commissioner Bud Selig and Pete Rose, signs Selig was prepared to at least consider reinstating the hit king, making him eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Background: The notion surfaced last week when Hank Aaron said at the Hall of Fame inductions of Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice and Joe Gordon that he would like to see Rose in Cooperstown. “He belongs, really,” Aaron said.
Background: This was significant, if for no other reason that Aaron has Selig’s ear. Selig is close to Aaron and takes his opinions on matters seriously. If you don’t think that’s why the commissioner was so cool toward Barry Bonds’ awkward home-run quest, then you weren’t paying attention.
Renck’s take: I don’t see Selig reinstating Rose, despite Aaron’s preference. And even if he was reinstated, I don’t think he would get the necessary 75 percent support from the Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee. Some writers have already balked at the idea of Rose being eligible, raising the issue of character. The Hall is full of crooks, drug addicts and racists, so don’t play that card. It just seems like a balance could be struck. Rose should receive a conditional reinstatement. No working in the game, but he would be eligible for the Hall. If the Veterans Committee — living Hall of Fame players — don’t want him in, that’s their right. But he should be given the opportunity to be judged by them.
UPS AND DOWNS
THREE UP
1. Cubs: Alfonso Soriano swinging thunderstick as offense finally awakes.
2. Rangers: Pitcher Derek Holland received a standing ovation from Nolan Ryan. Hard to top that.
3. Marlins: If you had one team to start a player around, go with Hanley Ramirez.
THREE DOWN
1. Reds: Adding Scott Rolen is confusing; is team rebuilding or just appeasing fans?
2. Red Sox: Big Papi revealed as big cheater, tainting the 2004 and 2007 World Series.
3. White Sox: By time Jake Peavy pitches in September, team could be out of race.
