There's Always a Loophole

by user Dave

Back in December I asked myself a question. Does Baseball test for Human Growth Hormone? The answer was of course, no. After being puzzled for a little while over the notion that MLB did not test for one of the biggest muscle mass producing steroids on the market, I then asked myself a second question; Does MLB know that Human Growth Hormone (HGH) exists?

Sure MLB tests for illegal performance enhancing drugs like Estandron, Dianabol (d-bols), Deca-Durabolin, and Masteron, but all those drugs are detectable through urine. In other words all an athlete has to do is get a few days notice and they can have the drugs "flushed" out of their system by the time they have to go fill the dixie cup at the Doctor's office. But what about HGH? Why can't they test positive for that? Simple, HGH can only be detected through blood tests. So when MLB is only testing an athlete's urine, it's only common sense for them to use the growth hormone if they wish to retain their size and strength.

To fill you in a little bit more, here is some little known facts about HGH or human growth hormone:

HGH is produced by the pituitary gland in the center of the brain. Everyone naturally has HGH in their body from birth. During adolescence, when we are at an optimal youthful condition, production of HGH is high. However, your HGH levels peak somewhere between the ages of 21 and 30 and then aggressively decline at the alarming rate of 14% per decade.

Bodybuilders may illicitly self-administer hGH to improve size and strength, usually by subcutaneous injection into the lower abdomen. Excessive or high-dose use can lead to significant or even dangerous side effects, like acromegaly (bone growth of the feet, jaw, forehead, etc.)

referance: http://www.steroidtips.com/hgh.htm

All professional bodybuilders use HGH as well as most of professional athletes from boxers, martial artists, gymnasts... it is a favorite of professional athletes all over the world because of it's unique effects and because there is no method for detecting it in doping tests. The use of exogenous sources of Growth Hormone has been popular in the United States for several years now.

A number of athletes claim that GH is not that effective on its own, but in a stack with steroids it can do remarkable things

Although Growth Hormone is banned by athletic committees, there is no method for the detection of it which allows drug tested competitors to use this product freely without any ramifications.

Without pointing any fingers, can you think of at least five players in baseball who haven't significantly dropped in size since the induction of the new steroid testing? I know I can. Before I produce my list of five players who have not experienced a dramatic loss in size or a drop in their statistical totals since steroid testing started, I would like to state that I am not accusing these players of using steroids but that I am simply pointing out that they have not changed since the new steroid policy was introduced.

In order of most likely to be using HGH to least likely, I give my Top Five "Freaks of Nature":

1. Barry Bonds

2. Jason Giambi

3. Albert Pujols

4. Alex Rodriguez

5. Manny Ramirez

Well we all know the top two and their involvement in the whole steroid campaign, but the following three might come as somewhat of a surprise to some people. However, these three players, especially Albert Pujols, not only have very sizable statures, but they have not experienced a dip in power since the induction of the new steroid policy. While Albert's thinning hair, Manny's mood swings, and A-Rod's purple lips might be reaching in terms of signs for steroid use, it's not altogether out of the question. If I could guess though, I would say that Manny and A-Rod are simply just freaks of nature. Pujols I am still 50/50 on.

If you wanted to know why Jason Giambi was able to get back to his pasty-white bloated self last year, then HGH might be your answer. If you were curious as to why Barry Bonds is still bigger than he ever was pre-1999 than you might want to push for blood testing to be conducted by MLB.

-dave http://www.obstructedseats.net

Date
Fri 03/17/06, 3:35 am EST