# MLB: July **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 1, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317 "2013-07-01T04:47:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/141 "2013-07-23T03:35:44Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > While I do support going after these guys, it’s fair to note (as other people have already done) that MLB’s process here is pretty shady. Agreed on both counts. > [@](#): > > I hope we at least get a thorough accounting of the evidence against the players who get suspended. We won’t. I think the fact that the player’s union pretty much sold Braun (and A-Rod) out with their “we believe the league doesn’t have to follow the 50/100 suspension limits for non-analytic violations” stance speaks strongly to what the majority of the players think about PED use. They want it out and have no sympathy for violators. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/142 "2013-07-23T04:17:39Z")
Can someone enlighten me as to how the MLB process is “shady”? My understanding is that they are and have been hopelessly behind the learning curve when it comes to testing and diagnosing abusers of PED’s. To me that isn’t “shady” but rather “uninformed” or “unprepared”…not that that isn’t inexcusable when we are talking about someone’s career and all but…??? Is the MLB process for testing really that objectionable? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/143 "2013-07-23T05:18:59Z")
So for the first time in a very long time, the Dodgers have the opportunity to look down at everyone else in their division. “First-place Dodgers” sounds very odd. In other division news, Tim Lincecum did not look at all like the guy just threw a no-hitter, giving up 8 runs in 3.2 innings. ---
**Author:** ![gibrilj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@gibrilj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gibrilj)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/144 "2013-07-23T05:33:33Z")
Looking for opinions / reviews for [ESPN.com](http://ESPN.com) Insider’s pick center for baseball analysis and betting advice. What have you used the service for (betting and/or fantasy) and why do you think it’s a good/bad service? Thanks for your help, Rich ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/145 "2013-07-23T10:43:14Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > So for the first time in a very long time, the Dodgers have the opportunity to look down at everyone else in their division. “First-place Dodgers” sounds very odd. > > In other division news, Tim Lincecum did not look at all like the guy just threw a no-hitter, giving up 8 runs in 3.2 innings. Yeah, that’s the way to start a west coast trip! Especially against the team that knocked you out of the playoffs last season en route to the WS. 11-0 feels pretty good right now. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/146 "2013-07-23T10:56:27Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Can someone enlighten me as to how the MLB process is “shady”? I was referring to the process related to BioGenesis. MLB paid for BioGenesis documents, they sued Anthony Bosch and others for a lot of money to push them to cooperate, and we don’t know what Braun did or what the evidence was. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/147 "2013-07-23T13:10:52Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I think the fact that the player’s union pretty much sold Braun (and A-Rod) out with their “we believe the league doesn’t have to follow the 50/100 suspension limits for non-analytic violations” stance speaks strongly to what the majority of the players think about PED use. Anyone else think [this statement](http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/2011-nl-mvp-ryan-braun-suspended-for-rest-of-season/2013/07/22/9e828a70-f31b-11e2-8464-57e57af86290_story.html) by union head Michael Weiner was a trifle bizarre? _“I am deeply gratified to see Ryan taking this bold step. It vindicates the rights of all players under the joint drug program. It is good for the game that Ryan will return soon to continue his great work both on and off the field.”_ Cripes, you’d think Braun had performed a great humanitarian service and is now taking a well-deserved vacation. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/148 "2013-07-23T13:49:14Z")
Yeah, well, Braun just now realized he’s made some mistakes. Vehemently denying he was using PEDs when he was using them, for example. He did that by mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/149 "2013-07-23T14:30:48Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Anyone else think [this statement](http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/2011-nl-mvp-ryan-braun-suspended-for-rest-of-season/2013/07/22/9e828a70-f31b-11e2-8464-57e57af86290_story.html) by union head Michael Weiner was a trifle bizarre? > > _“I am deeply gratified to see Ryan taking this bold step. It vindicates the rights of all players under the joint drug program. It is good for the game that Ryan will return soon to continue his great work both on and off the field.”_ > > Cripes, you’d think Braun had performed a great humanitarian service and is now taking a well-deserved vacation. The statement by Rob Manfred, MLB executive vice president, is equally bizarre:_“We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions. We all agree that it is in the best interests of the game to resolve this matter. When Ryan returns, we look forward to him making positive contributions to Major League Baseball, both on and off the field.”_ It’s very telling that they both say “on and off the field.” It seems to me that both the union and MLB know this thing (including the presumed players to be named later in the Biogenesis case) is going to cause a lot of fan frustration, and we need to be reminded that these guys do a lot of good work for the community when they’re not cheating the game, their teammates, and fans. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/150 "2013-07-23T14:57:20Z")
Just had to try it. Rolls well off of the tongue. And there is now no doubt that Kemp should have been the MVP. Pity justice cannot be done in that regard. If Braun had any class he’d have it re-engraved and mailed to Kemp at the Dodger clubhouse. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/151 "2013-07-23T15:05:50Z")
Just a quick comment: Fuck you Ryan Braun and your sanctimonious non-apology bullshit. You’re a liar, a cheater, an asshole, and a whole slew of other curse words I’d like to have more time and eloquence to spew at your fucking waste of flesh. You should be apologizing to the sample collector you tried to slander to clear your own name when you knew you were a fucking dirtier than the bedsheets in a Tijuana brothel. Fuck you, Ryan Braun. Fuck. You. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/152 "2013-07-23T15:51:44Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Yeah, that’s the way to start a west coast trip! Especially against the team that knocked you out of the playoffs last season en route to the WS. 11-0 feels pretty good right now. On behalf of the blue-wearing people of the Greater Los Angeles area, we would appreciate you beating the snot out of the Giants and getting that out of your system prior to your arrival down our way later this week. I will be in the stands Friday night to remind your crew of that. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/153 "2013-07-23T18:00:22Z")
I read this off of [MLBTradeRumors.com](http://MLBTradeRumors.com), and I find it to be both depressing and realistic. > [@MLBTradeRumors.com](#): > > Dave Cameron of Fangraphs writes that suspending Braun for the remainder of a season in which the Brewers are 19 games out of first place is akin to pinch-hitting for him in a blowout game. The loss of Braun won’t affect the Brewers’ season this year and could even lead to a better draft pick for them in 2014. Cameron wouldn’t be surprised to see other non-contenders with Biogenesis-connected players push them to take their suspensions without an appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/154 "2013-07-23T18:03:48Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > Just had to try it. Rolls well off of the tongue. First-place Dodggggrrrgghhhhppphhhtththhh…ack! coughcoughcough…rrrrnnnngggggggg…\ Nope, sorry. It just doesn’t work for me. No worries, though. The Giants begin their inexorable rise back to the top of the division with today’s doubleheader, behind the golden arm of…let me check the AAA transaction wire…yes, here it is…Eric Surkamp! ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/155 "2013-07-23T20:03:51Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Just a quick comment: > > Fuck you Ryan Braun and your sanctimonious non-apology bullshit. You’re a liar, a cheater, an asshole, and a whole slew of other curse words I’d like to have more time and eloquence to spew at your fucking waste of flesh. You should be apologizing to the sample collector you tried to slander to clear your own name when you knew you were a fucking dirtier than the bedsheets in a Tijuana brothel. > > Fuck you, Ryan Braun. Fuck. You. Yeah, what he said! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/156 "2013-07-23T20:03:53Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > No worries, though. The Giants begin their inexorable rise back to the top of the division with today’s doubleheader, behind the golden arm of…let me check the AAA transaction wire…yes, here it is…Eric Surkamp! On the plus side, you continue to have the Padres to cushion your fall. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/157 "2013-07-23T20:11:55Z")
In other news, I have come to the conclusion that I would do a lot of things – some of them probably very illegal and immoral – in order to obtain [a lifetime pass to any MLB game](http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201307/major-league-baseball-lifetime-pass). ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/158 "2013-07-23T20:15:37Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > On the plus side, you continue to have the Padres to cushion your fall. That’s OK…the general consensus is that after last night’s 11-0 drubbing, we’ve hit rock bottom, so there’s nowhere to go but up. Of course, we already hit rock-bottom two or three times in the last month…apparently somebody keeps moving our rocks. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/159 "2013-07-24T02:41:24Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > On behalf of the blue-wearing people of the Greater Los Angeles area, we would appreciate you beating the snot out of the Giants and getting that out of your system prior to your arrival down our way later this week. I will be in the stands Friday night to remind your crew of that. > [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > That’s OK…the general consensus is that after last night’s 11-0 drubbing, we’ve hit rock bottom, so there’s nowhere to go but up. > > Of course, we already hit rock-bottom two or three times in the last month…apparently somebody keeps moving our rocks. **Asimovian** , you’re welcome AGAIN! 9-3 baby! 34 hits in two games! I don’t know how or why this production is happening, only that it continues! 🙂 And **Plankton** , I don’t know what to say other than hey, you won the WS last season, and also, paybacks are a BITCH! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317/160 "2013-07-24T02:45:07Z")
Holy cow, I turned off the Dodger game too soon. I just checked in to see the final score and…they came back in a serious way. Just as I was getting ready to be good an pissed off at the Capuano/Marmol combo too. 23-5 since June 22, it’s nuts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july/662317.md?page=9)