The UnNatural?

by Russ Roberts on September 17, 2007

in Sports

Here is my commentary on NPR’s All Things Considered on the Rick Ankiel story.

Comments

{ 4 comments }

Brad September 17, 2007 at 2:20 pm: Sadly, the irony was lost on the NPR listener alone in his Prius driving 80mph in the carpool lane as the other lanes poked along at 45 this morning.

Great commentary, BTW.
noahpoah September 17, 2007 at 6:57 pm: I heard this on the radio and didn't realize who was talking until the end of the piece, and then thought, "hey, I read that guy's blog."

Nice piece, by the way. The overall point is, well, on point, but I wish more commentary on the Ankiel would point out (as you do) and hammer away at the fact that when Ankiel took HGH, it wasn't against the MLB rules. Given this, why is Ankiel's HGH use even an issue?
Ray G September 17, 2007 at 9:12 pm: I passed on the chance to play college ball myself because I realized that I would never be a starting player. (That, and I had no direction in my life and was too young and foolish to realize the real value of a free education.)

Anyway, I've faced pitchers throwing 88 mph fastballs, and such, and all of the HGH in the world isn't going to make a guy be able to hit any better.

What's even tougher is fielding. Line drives hit right at you by a major league level hitter is a very difficult thing to judge. That split second decision making is often the difference between the average major leaguer, and the army of woulda' shoulda' coulda' beens playing softball for their company team every weekend. HGH and steroids do nothing for that most important factor.

I think some people might be trying to make the case that his move from pitcher to fielder was somehow made possible by the HGH, but that's wrong for the above stated reasons. Truth is that pitchers are typically very good all-around athletes that could hit better if they weren't required so keep such focus on the one thing they do best.

The baseball outfielder is much like a defensive back in the NFL. They are usually very good all around athletes, and anybody capable of playing that position in the first place, is going to be able to do more than even the average pro athlete at other positions.
vidyohs September 18, 2007 at 9:15 am: This is a controversy created by the ignorant and incapable (non players) and it will be settled by the same.

Those who are in the game and know will be forced to accept and live by the sanctimonious rules of the above.

Through it all a thoughtful person might have observed that one would be hard pressed to find one player of any team in any league that has ever come out and voluntarily made this an issue in reference to a team mate or opponent.

And, I am not talking about players responding to the prodding of sports writers or fans, I am talking about a player initiated complaint.