How would you react if Albert used?

Probably just about everyone knows by now that Manny Ramirez has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and will receive a suspension of 50 games for his violation. There have been various reactions to the news. My reaction is mixed. It's one of shock, disappointment, but also a tinge of happiness. Manny is a great hitter and I hate to see the game of baseball get a bad rap. At the same time, I want the game clean and Manny, just by the way he conducts himself, is a disgrace to the game. Just to throw this out there... Manny's PED may have been for bedroom performance rather than on-the-field performance.

Now, I wasn't a big Mark McGwire fan. Sure I thought he did some amazing things and I liked the fact that he helped win some games for the Cardinals, but all-in-all I thought he was just a one-dimensional player. So, McGwire's allegations of PED use didn't really affect me too much, I wasn't that upset.

Albert Pujols, on the other hand, is the best player that I've ever seen. He's much more than one of the greatest hitters of a generation. Albert is also a gold-glove defender, a great baserunner, and a man of outstanding character. Some people have said that the things he does on the field are not natural. He certainly seems superhuman sometimes. It pains me to say this but... what if? I mean, Albert is right up there with Manny and A-Rod and the latter two are now tainted. How would you react if Albert failed a drug test? I would be completely heartbroken. I know I sound like a 14-year-old girl here, but I would. I'm a year shy of 30, have graduate degrees, and I would be completely heartbroken if Albert Pujols was found guilty of using a PED. I would think back to all of the things that I've seen him do live and on television, the money that I've spent on his jersey and eating at his restaurant, all of the religious-oriented speeches that he has made, and feel completely cheated.

Musial among Western Pennsylvania's finest

Sorry for the lack of posts over the past month, I hope to start blogging regularly or at least semi-regularly soon.

I found this piece of news that I thought readers would enjoy: Stan Musial will be inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Hall of Fame. Musial, of course, was born in Donora, PA. Just a little Donora trivia for you: Donora was home to a 1948 smog event that led lawmakers to the Clean Air Act. Donora is also the birthplace of Ken Griffey Jr.


Also... USA Today has a nice piece on Dave Duncan, "The pitcher's repairman."