The Ramble: Steroids, Steroids Everywhere and Human Growth Hormone Too - Page 2

The most remarkable and instructive aspect of this particular issue is the difference in Jacobs' physique after three or four years of juicing. Notice in the pictures in the Times article the difference in Jacobs’ face, as well as his body, and tell me he doesn't resemble a lot of physiques sported by pro athletes. Jacobs went from a guy who looked like he’d be more comfortable playing Halo 3 to having a cookie cutter, PED physique, complete with the requisite tattoos. It's comical that the news accounts continue to refer to Jacobs as a body builder when in fact he is just a guy who made, sold and, ingested steroids and HGH and was not even a real competitive body builder. Apparently, using PEDs for three years is all it takes to be identified as such. This story isn't going to go away, but Jacobs certainly shouldn't be treated with any kind of legitimacy in helping forward it, unless he names new names.

Where’s Barry? Barry Bonds – you remember him – the best home run hitter of the steroid era and a player who hit more home runs than any other baseball player, is unsigned. The players’ union is looking into why teams haven’t signed Bonds, as if something nefarious is going on. The union apparently is unaware of the fact that Bonds is a cancer in the clubhouse and a liability on the base paths, so even though he doesn’t need to play a position in the American League he will still poison a clubhouse and slow down anyone getting on base behind him. And he’s 43. With bad knees. And a bad elbow. This isn’t exactly a case for Detective Columbo. What’s next, an investigation into why Bernie Williams isn’t on a major league roster?

Steroid Trafficking In Australia. Australian authorities are reporting that PED drug busts were on the rise in 2007, as over 1600 shipments of PEDs were confiscated, up from 1055 in 2006. The authorities have already intercepted 300 shipments this year. Customs officials also claim that at least 10 percent of these shipments were headed to athletes. So American authorities aren’t the only ones engaging in a PED crackdown. The Aussies are well aware that China is the leading exporter of the raw materials and finished products that so many athletes, body builders and other appearance-obsessed folks want to use. Ironically, China is hosting this year’s summer Olympics. It will be interesting to see if the country that is the leading exporter of PEDs will be the site of failed drug tests – Australians or not - for these very same substances.

Article Author: Sal Marinello

Sal Marinello is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer, a U.S.A. Weightlifting Certified Coach, a full-time, private Professional Strength and Conditioning …

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