J.C. Romero has been suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games for negligence regarding the use of a banned substance. This penalty has been rendered despite that fact that Romero was guided by the players union that the supplement he purchased and used in August was not on the MLB list of illegal substances. He also checked with a trainer of the Phillies team and his own nutritionist, both whom confirmed to him that it was not an illegal substance. The team trainer sent a sample of the supplement to MLB which then told the Phillies that the substance should not be used, Romero stopped using the supplement at that time.
What is odd here is that all parties agree that they were negligent in the instructions given to the player, Romero, but only the player is being penalized! This has the same stench as the “steroid era” of baseball where MLB turned a blind eye while the likes of Bonds, Sosa and McGwire used supplements to bring the game back to national prominence but when push came to shove MLB placed all the blame on the players! I realize that the game was embarrassed by Congresss in regards to lack of policies or enforcement regarding performance enhancements and that indeed the game has strengthened the rules and compliance thereto but this is a case where a group mistake was made and it seems that once again the player is being made the sole scapegoat.
J.C. Romero is not a player that purposedly used steroids to enhance his performance and attempted to hide such usage but rather a player who purchased and used a supplement that he inquired about being within the boundaries of acceptance and was told he was compliant! Where is the justice to penalize him ? There is no appeal process here so Romero must sit out the 50 games he has been suspended albeit an unfair justice.
Chatter
The Phillies have signed Marcus Giles to a minor league contract. Giles sat out last season after failing to make the Colorado Rockies opening day roster. If he makes the Phillies roster he will be asked to help fill in for Chase Utley while he recovers from off season hip surgery. In regards to filling the roster spot for Romero the team indicates it will do so within rather than spend on a free agent. While some fans like me would like the team to pursue and sign Derek Lowe I doubt that they are in play to do so, Lowe is a Scott Boras client which means the endless pursuit of money, money and more money…… with the Fightins tasked with major arbitration settlements forthcoming I don’t see them in the mix to offer Lowe what his agent Boras thinks he is worth….. my guess is that he will end up with the Mets at some point.
