Sammy on Steroids? Who’s next? Come on ESPN

The New York Times released an article on Tuesday with allegations that Sammy Sosa, former Chicago Cubs star, tested positive for illegal steroid use in 2003.

The article states that, “The 2003 test that ensnared Sosa was the first such test conducted by Major League Baseball. Under guidelines agreed upon with the players union, the test results were to remain anonymous but would lead to testing with penalties the next year if more than 5 percent of the results were positive.

That is indeed what occurred. But for reasons never made completely clear, the test results were not destroyed by the players union and the 104 positives were subsequently seized by federal agents on the West Coast investigating matters related to the distribution of drugs to athletes.”

Though the union has filed papers that the list was illegally seized, the damage has been done. Bud Selig stressed the importance of the current toughness of testing and the ‘antiquity’ of the testing back in 2003.

What irritates me is the way that ESPN has presented this news. They have not approached the news with skepticism, but instead, thrown Sosa under the bus. Furthermore, ESPN.com interviewed Rick Reilly on Tuesday, who has had a grudge against Sosa since 2001. Reilly’s interview was deplorable at best. He stuttered and stumbled his way through a report that was obviously biased and contained interesting comments. He threw out accusations with no substantiation and sounded like a parrot repeating ‘I told you so’ throughout the entire interview.

Reilly’s responses to questions were choppy and unprepared. He made statements that Sosa, in 2002 was, “swearing at me in spanish, saying, are you my father, swearing about my heritage” and “he just freaked out and it was a little bit scary”,”like agatha christie’s ten little indians” and “like he’d been in some sort of steroid farm”. Someone needs to work with Reilly and his similes. Or hire another writer. Comments like this are unprofessional and carry derogatory connotations.

It is frustrating to me that ESPN would interview one of their own that was so openly bias against Sosa and latch onto news that is fresh and uncorroborated, making this a full blown conspiracy. While ESPN has been providing solid sports news for many years, I believe their handling of this situation is unfortunate. Sosa, and others, ought to be given the benefit of the doubt and extensive and thorough investigations should be continued before allegations are made. I’m sure the next rising star that the media doesn’t want in the Hall of Fame will surely fall from grace, somehow, some way, thanks to American Media.

Agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments section.