1,000th Draft Pick Club

[RuthMayBond]

I just love it when you accuse a beloved player of steroids...people just won't believe it.

Bonds, yes

Clemens, only if there is evidence

I just love it when you draw a distinction here

[sturg1dj]

sadly, I'll do it in every thread

its kind of an obsession of mine

Mariano Rivera thread? oh yeah

A-Rod? Sure, sure

Cal Ripken? of course

no player is above suspicion, and I feel its necessary to point that out since there are many people who still believe that users are the devil but their favorite players are clean


but I will apologize. I do not mean to hijack threads, but I do feel its important to point these things out.

Mike Piazza is the greatest hitting catcher of all time and even with his defensive deficiencies he is still mentioned among the greatest catchers of all time. He also was drafted ridiculously late, and even though he played during the steroid era most people you talk to say he always could hit and he worked hard. I have no doubt either one is true, but the end product may be too good.

[fantasyrocks1234]

Ibanez is looking like a steal....

[BigandUgly]

The story 've heard with Piazza was that he was a first baseman in HS. The Scouts said he was a strong, but inconsistent hitter, had slow foot speed even for first base, and wasn't good defensively. Lasorda asked if he was a good enough hitter and fast enough to draft if he was a catcher, was told he'd be worth a shot, and Lasorda said "ok, he's a catcher now."

Not real sure if it's totally accurate, but it's a good and mostly believable story.
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As far as Piazza and steroids, I say prosecute him and keep him out of the Hall. There are many players that are being labeled users even though there is no proof against them. Apparently baseball players are not innocent until proven guilty.