Freddy Garcia positive for banned substance (WBC)

by Carlos on May 1, 2006 10:21 PM CDT

ESPN just reported that Freddy Garcia tested positive for a banned substance, reportedly marijuana, during the WBC.

It might carry a two-year international suspension. Link: http://www.cadenaglobal.com/default.asp?pgm=detail&Not=107720&sec=19 Text in Spanish!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Mary

I thought he tested positve for marijuana and not steroids.

by jman on May 1, 2006 10:24 PM CDT reply actions

Wait,

you mean you can't weed and still play??

Then how did Bronson Arroyo get in?!

she

by Sarah Hope on May 2, 2006 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Nutsacky, Smutsacky

What a peculiar name you have. The better to make puns with, I suppose.

I am kidding, but the only reason a white kid would voluntarily put his hair in corn rows and convince himself he looks good is that he is clearly on some hallucinogenic substance.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 3, 2006 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions

I think

we are doing ourselves a disservice by the fact that we are even talking about that stupid homerun-hitting pitcher still!

Bleck!!!

But very clever ideas. Maybe you can sign on as hairdresser to the baseball stars. I think the new hairdos could make their debuts at the All-Star game.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 3, 2006 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Correction:

According to the Venezuelan daily newspaper Lider, Chicago White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia violated the International Baseball Amateur Federation anti-doping policy when marijuana was found in the pitcher's urine in a test administered during the World Baseball

by cubsfan2883 on May 1, 2006 10:36 PM CDT reply actions

I just edited the text

I should have used "banned substance" and not steroids.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on May 1, 2006 10:37 PM CDT reply actions

Freddy Fried For WBC? BFD.

n/t

by DrCrawdad on May 1, 2006 11:35 PM CDT reply actions

My Thoughts Exactly...

As long as it wasn't performance enhancing, who cares?

by FukudomeAtLarge on May 2, 2006 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions

His new name...

Jerry Garcia?

I am NOT a pot smoker. However, I agree with you, I can't see that this matters one bit.

Unless you're piloting a plane that I'm a passenger in, I can't see why any employer should care (or be involved in) if someone uses pot when they're not at work.

by DrCrawdad on May 2, 2006 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Re

Especially since it's apparently ok for someone to drink themselves into a pickle.

When testing starts being done for cause and for any substance that affects someone, I might begin to take the motivation for doing it seriously.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on May 3, 2006 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions

as we know

THC doesn't help your curveball.....or does it?

by bh714 on May 2, 2006 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Re

Maybe we should get Z to roll a fattie. That might calm him down enough on the mound and keep him from getting so wound up about every little thing that doesn't go his way.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on May 3, 2006 6:39 AM CDT up reply actions

this doesn't

mean much does it? He can still play in the bigs. Or is there some way that this would get him suspended in MLB?

by tal1286 on May 2, 2006 9:43 AM CDT reply actions

I think

MLB has already said that it doesn't care.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 2, 2006 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Makes no sense

In the NFL he would be suspended. Before someone makes the comment that this is not the NFL, I realize that fact. Baseball is currently going through the steroid controversy. MLB really screwed that whole deal up. Now they are turning a blind eye to this. I realize that your average public probably doesn't care, but as a father of 3 kids I have a real problem with it. It just sends the wrong message. Whether these athletes like it or not, they should be held to high standards. I get sick of athletes getting away with being pathetic people just because they have a God given ability. That does not give them a free pass in life, well unfortunately in our society it does.

Madog93. There is only one good season of the year -- BASEBALL SEASON!

by madog93 on May 2, 2006 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I mean, personally, I could care less who does weed and who doesn't. However, it's not really fair to villify Bonds when others are being caught with banned substances in their systems, whether it's during the course of the regular season or not.

That said,I have a WAY bigger problem with Delmon Young getting away with what he did than this.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 2, 2006 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

absolutely

He should miss the remainder of the season.

Madog93. There is only one good season of the year -- BASEBALL SEASON!

by madog93 on May 2, 2006 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Judgement?

You don't see a difference between PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS and pot?

by DrCrawdad on May 2, 2006 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

There's a difference,

but I can see why this would be a problem.
It's the same reason that your boss doesn't want you to do drugs on the job.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 2, 2006 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I do see a difference

but I don't think the MLB banned substances regulation does. I wonder what would have happened if he had tested positive for steroids in the WBC but not MLB? That REALLY would have been a quandry for MLB---it would have most likely forced them to deal with the issue of making agents. Now THAT would have been interesting.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 2, 2006 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm

Freddy Garcia's ERA in the WBC 1.98

Freddy Garcia's ERA thus far.. 5.86

Maybe theres more to this than meets the eye

by cubsfan2883 on May 2, 2006 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Re

When weed is shown to improve a player's performance, you'll have a point.

In high school, our best player, who was the catcher, decided during his senior year to start playing high. He went from a slugging RBI machine to Sosa wildly whiffing at even the slowest junk.

A kid getting high might eat a few more cheeseburgers than normal. A kid doing steriods is screwing up his body for life. The latter is a much, much more serious problem.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on May 3, 2006 6:44 AM CDT up reply actions

If he tested positive...

...why did he have two starts for Venezuela? This "news" is coming from a newspaper, not the WBC or IBAF. MLB doesn't have a penalty for marijuana. But funny joke about "high standards"!

by KenBrett34 on May 2, 2006 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

And by "doesn't have a penalty"...

...I should have written "doesn't suspend players." A player convicted of use or possession of pot could be fined up to $15,000.

Ultimately, I really don't care. Unless it's the reason for Garcia's reduced velocity this year. If it means Garcia doesn't pitch in the WBC, I can totally live with that, too!

by KenBrett34 on May 2, 2006 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

You don't have a right

to break the law!

Believe me, I'm the last person in the world to defend this country's policy towards pot, but you don't have the right to possess illegal drugs, beat your wife, or drive while drunk.

I suspect your attitude towards people "wanting to child proof the universe" will change once (or if) you have kids. Are you seriously saying that I shouldn't bring my kids to Wrigley? Give me a break.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 2, 2006 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

A swing and a miss...

I don't believe the poster was advocating spousal abuse. I think the poster argued against this, "...Athletes need to be role models..."

I fail to see how a pitcher getting caught with pot residue in his urine is somehow going to adversely affect kids. If kids are going to smoke pot, I fail to see how a baseball player is responsible.

by DrCrawdad on May 3, 2006 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions

The gist of the post,...

...whether nutsackylacky chooses to have children or not, is hard to quibble with -- parents shouldn't abdicate their responsibility as guardians for their children.

by KenBrett34 on May 3, 2006 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Re

Amen, brother! I'm completely fed up with the "It's about the children!" chorus every time someone wants to use the power of government to force others to live the life they've chosen for themselves.

If anything, athletes have even less incentive to live on the straight-and-narrow than the average joe. They make ungodly sums of money for playing a game. They're surrounded by sports groupies who will do anything anytime. They have access to people and places and things most of us can only imagine. And if they get caught and the morality police descend, they can afford to buy their way back into acceptance.

They get paid to entertain. If someone wants their kids to have a role model, all they have to do is be one.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on May 3, 2006 6:52 AM CDT up reply actions

That's not what I was saying

I am not trying to child proof the world or sanitize it for my kids. Do I want to protect my kids from this kind of stuff while they are young, absolutely. I know that eventually they will be old enough to make their own decisions, and I hope by that time I have done a good enough job as a parent that they will make smart decisions.
As far as not taking my kids to Wrigley, that is absurd. My dad took me there when I was a kid, and I will be taking my kids there on May 13th. It is a pretty bad day for society when you can't take your kids to the ball park because a bunch of drunks are ruining it for everyone else. I realize that adults have rights too but to behave like an overgrown child who can't control himself out in public is irresponsible.
I for one believe that there should be consequences for your actions. Baseball would be wise to adopt this policy and hold their players accountable. (That goes for roids, drugs, and throwing bats at umpires.) I could go on and on, but what good would it do. Maybe someday you will have children and understand what I am talking about.

Madog93. There is only one good season of the year -- BASEBALL SEASON!

by madog93 on May 3, 2006 7:02 AM CDT up reply actions

And as for you nutsack...

all your pot inspired quips and jokes are very funny (to you) however the fact that you feel that no public figure has a responsibility to behave in a mature and respectable fassion is a freakin joke.

As someone who spent countless days high during HS, college, and then some, I can still honestly say that everyone who is out on a field, stage, big screen, etc. ought to behave respectably. NOT because they OWE me (or anyone else) because they are friggin adults and that is how adults act. Apparently you are not familiar with this concept.

I happen to be a person of the opinion that this world would be better off if more people smoked pot (ie. Bin Laden, Sadaam, Mike Tyson, Hitler, etc.) however, if you want to make anargument that a public figure, such as Freddie Garcia, has no responsibility to abide by societal rules, then you are sadly mistaken. Just as I am not expected to use my weekends to get overwhelmingly smashed, get into bar fights, and then hop in my car and speed around town while smokin a spliff...so should Garcia.

For the record, I am not arguing that his recreational use of pot is such a horrible thing simply, he was caught and this DOES reflect upon him poorly. Kids who are aspiring to be baseball players (maybe even pitchers) DO look up to these guys and this is not something any parent can change. Don't you dare tell me that you grew up and had no idols who were professional athletes...

And please, don't have kids because your obnoxious and immature attacks on those of us with different standards clearly indicates your inability to think of someone other than yourself.

Long time fan of the Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on May 3, 2006 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

He's

a Sox fan, yo.

And, let's face it, he's probably a high one at that.

It's cool. He's apparently "lacking" something important. I mean, besides good taste in baseball teams.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 3, 2006 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah...

I suppose I forgot that key factor. Immaturity, drug abuse, and agression probably are a given with someone like this.

Long time fan of the Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on May 3, 2006 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Where's your evidence he was caught?

He pitched in two WBC games after being tested, the WBC never said anything about him failing his test, and the MLB hasn't been contacted.

by KenBrett34 on May 3, 2006 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Uh hmmmm...

I guess I figured since there aren't many other ways to detect THC in urine than TESTING it...one has to assume that he FAILED the test. Common sense right?

You smokin the ganj too?

Long time fan of the Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on May 3, 2006 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Ha!

Don't fear the reefer.
I felt the same way. The dude's high, man. I mean, he did sign with the Sox... and you know that crazy Ozzie is peddling that stuff in the clubhouse.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 3, 2006 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

BTW

I don't want my comical approach to make it seem that I support drug use, as I do NOT. Cool? Cool.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 3, 2006 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Once again, this time verrry slowly...

...if he failed the test...which was administered before the games...why did the WBC allow him to pitch twice? The only evidence that Garcia tested positive...is from an unnamed source in a Venezuelan newspaper. There has been no statement...from the IABF or MLB.

I'm wondering, how did you explain to the children when Carlos Zambrano threw behind Carlos Lee the other day? He's certainly a poor example for today's youth!

by KenBrett34 on May 3, 2006 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

And here I go again..veeerrryyy ssllooowwwlyy...

if it is reported to be fact, that your buddy tested positive for marijuana, then that is that big man. I never said he is pitching high (at least in a serious manner). This is no ones' claim here. If he tested positive...he...is...using...illegal...drugs. Slow enough for you??

Our argument is not that he shouldn't pitch high...it is that if he is using, and children who look up to him know this, they may decide it is "cool" or "okay" because of it.

If you are with the nutsack and think that there is NO responsibility for professional athletes to act in a responsible manner, then I wish you luck with that.

As far as Z is concerned, his bat breaking and such is what I would be concerned about. Throwing behind Lee can be claimed as a wild pitch...grass can't really be claimed as oregano that accidentally had some THC in it.

Long time fan of the Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on May 3, 2006 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

Thanks for your comments azweber9. I did not respond to his childish posts anymore, because I could tell that I clearly was not dealing with a responsible adult. I should have been able to tell that just by his screename. There really is no point in arguing with people like that. I am glad to hear that not everyoone thinks I am off the deep end. I really does bother me that his type of attitude is becoming more and more prevelant nowadays. Take care man and GO CUBS!

Madog93. There is only one good season of the year -- BASEBALL SEASON!

by madog93 on May 3, 2006 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Maddog

it is always my pleasure to challenge ignorance and immaturity. I for one often take things to an immature level and as I grow up, I expect others to as well. Being a new father, I have whole new ideas about what i want my daughter to be exposed to. What you said is exactly right...our children will have enough opportunities to make tough decisions under peer pressure. I don't need their role models to be sending this message too.

You are right Maddog, unfortunately, this world will always be packed with ignorance and stupidity. Clearly the Sack smokes pot himself (which is his perogative) but I believe he was trying to cleverly defend the right to puff weed and it just got annoying.

Always here for ya...go Cubbies! (not a capital G there because they already lost miserably leaving more men on base that they have all year, in one game!)

Long time fan of the Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on May 3, 2006 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions

That would explain

Garcia's greasy high-lighted do this year. Blech.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 2, 2006 10:43 AM CDT reply actions

I for one

don't care who is puffin and who isn;t, as long as they aren;t caring for my children or somehow in charge of my family members care.

That being said, MJ IS illegal and again we are faced with the legality issue. Bonds was using roids when they were "okay" in MLB, but not in society. MJ, while a different drug altogether, is illegal and why shouldn;t he pay a price?

Plus, I have to add, plenty of artists (musicians, painters, writers, etc) perform better when smoking pot, why should I believe that it can't enhance his performance on the bump? Many would consider the man an artist right?

Long time fan of the Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on May 2, 2006 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

Were steroids ever "ok" in MLB?

I don't think so. They just weren't specifically identified as a banned substance. That hardly made them ok, when you consider they still were illegal drugs (in many cases) and/or drugs that were legal with a prescription. So, they could have been a legal drug but the use, unless prescribed, was illegal, as well as the buying of them.

by DrCrawdad on May 3, 2006 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions