Bases Loaded
The game yesterday wasn’t the best. We lost to the Angels 10-5. Ugh. Cha Seung Baek gave up nine runs. I don’t think we want him as the third starter. At least I certainly don’t! Adrian Gonzalez got his first homer of the spring, so that was good. But yeah. Just another spring loss.
What I really want to write about is a book I just read, called Bases Loaded: The Inside Story of the Steroid Era in Baseball by the Central Figure in the Mitchell Report by Kirk Radomski. The only reason I picked up this book was because it was new in the baseball section at my library, and it’s really rare to get a new baseball book in there. But it also looked interesting, and I decided that I needed to be better informed about this steroid problem that is sweeping baseball.
I have to admit that I haven’t really been interested in the whole Mitchell Report and all the hearings with Rodger Clemens and all that. I’m just a fan, and all I really care about is watching my Padres play some good baseball. If it was one of my players being accused like that, I would definitely be more interested, but it’s not like that. This book was captivating. I read it in about 5-6 hours over the course of two days. I am a pretty fast reader, but that’s still impressive.
Kirk Radomski was a batboy and then a clubhouse attendant for the New York Mets. He was really into bodybuilding and nutrition, so when the players started asking questions about their diets and what vitamins they should be taking and stuff, he would help them. It was natural to him to do whatever the players asked. When some of them started getting interested in steroids, he would get some for them. To him, it was just like getting some vitamins or running an errand for them. Just getting steroids for a player turned into a huge operation of supplying the majority of baseball with steroids and ultimately human growth hormone. When he was finally caught, he was the first breakthrough for the people working on the Mitchell Report. He supplied them with thousands of checks from the players and trainers who had bought from him. He also supplied them with a huge list of names.
This book is fascinating. What’s incredible to me is that he was able to supply players with juice for so long and nobody ever stopped him. With great storytelling, this book is a breeze to read through. At least, it was for me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at baseball the same. I hate to think that any of my Padres have been or are taking juice, but I’m sure it’s happening. This guy is brilliant in terms of nutrition and the effect of steriods and HGH. He can tell when a player is juicing, and even what he is using by just looking at him. It’s pretty incredible.
This book isn’t for all baseball fans, but if you’re interested in the “steroid era”, I would highly recommend it. But if you’re not really that interested, there are better baseball books to read.
I am very excited that the Brewer’s A-Z ballpark guide is FINALLY up. I’ve been checking it everyday for days, and now it’s finally here! The reason I wanted it so badly was so I could get the Brewer’s fanmail address and send some of my tributes to Trevor. So, that will be fun to work on! I doubt that he will reply, but maybe he will read them.
I am also REALLY excited about the Fan Day!! Naturally, I’ve been thinking, planning, and daydreaming about it for the last 24 hours. It’s going to be sooooo much fun!!
Today the Padres are playing the Indians. Wow, how many times have we played the Indians? I think this is the third time this spring!!
- CF Jody Gerut
- 2B David Eckstein
- RF Brian Giles
- 1B Adrian Gonzalez
- DH Cliff Floyd
- LF Chase Headley
- 3B Edgar Gonzalez
- C Henry Blanco
- SS Luis Rodriguez
Kevin Correia will be starting. Heath Bell will also pitch. Let’s see how the rotation candidate will do today. Maybe he won’t give up that many runs!!
Have a great day!
GO PADRES!!!!
(photo credit: nydailynews.com)
Unfinished Business 
Thanks for the heads-up on the good baseball read. What baseball books have you read in the past that you’ve found particularly interesting?
Paige
http://bestof162.mlblogs.com/
Interesting that you liked the Radomski book, Kaybee. I wasn’t planning to read it, because I’m sort of sick of the steroids subject, but since you say it’s good, I may just give it a look.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
That book is so good! I am reading it right now!
Bob, http://bostonsports.mlblogs.com/
I’ll have to check the book out. Thanks Kaybee!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Going to have to visit the library now…sounds like a really interesting book. Thanks for the review!
Jenn
http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/
PAIGE, I loved “Working at the Ballpark”. That was so good! I’ve read a lot of baseball books, but no other one are coming to mind right now 🙂
JANE, like I said, it isn’t for every baseball fan, but you might enjoy it.
BOB, cool!
JULIA, no problemo!
JENN, you’re welcome!
I don’t know why I thought the FanFest had already happened. Duhhh, the Padres are in Arizona. Opening day is against the Dodgers! I can’t wait for the actual season to start!
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Oh! and thanks for the book review. I am going to have to check it out. I was giving a tour of the downtown L.A. library to a friend from the train yesterday. Wish I would have read your review earlier.
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Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/