Report: Ankiel received HGH shipments

[ieffinhatecardio]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/mlbnews.asp?articleID=209838

Friday, September 07, 2007

Report: Ankiel received HGH shipments

New York, NY (Sports Network) - St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel reportedly received shipments of human growth hormone from a Florida pharmacy in 2004.

According to the New York Daily News, Ankiel received eight shipments of HGH from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando from January to December 2004. The Orlando pharmacy is the center of the investigation of illegal internet prescription drug sales by the Albany, New York district attorney's office.

The Daily News obtained records from Signature Pharmacy that show Ankiel stopped receiving the shipments just before HGH was banned by Major League Baseball in 2005.

There is no test for HGH in Major League Baseball, although a player known to have used it can face a suspension of 50 games under the sport's drug policy.

Ankiel has had a remarkable comeback as a hitter after his promising career as a pitcher ended abruptly with a bout of wildness. He also suffered through injuries to his elbow and knee between 2001 and 2006 as his pitching career faded and his transformation as a hitter began.

Since being recalled from the minors in August, Ankiel has nine homers and 29 runs batted in with a .358 batting average in just 23 games. He has helped the Cardinals vault back into the National League Central race, as the defending World Series champs trail division leaders Chicago and Milwaukee by just one game.

Other athletes to have been caught in the Signature Pharmacy investigation include Rodney Harrison of the NFL's New England Patriots and former NFL quarterback-turned-coach Wade Wilson.

[UPINTHEMGUTS]

This really shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody. Don't be even more surprised if higher profile pro athletes are proven to have taken this stuff.

It's becoming abundantly clear that as long as there isn't a proven test to detect injectible human growth hormone, pro athletes are going to KEEP TAKING IT.

Why wouldn't they? Especially football players, who are more prone to injury than any other professional sport?

[Tre]

Retirees all across Florida are using HGH, too.

Scandal?

[ieffinhatecardio]

This really shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody. Don't be even more surprised if higher profile pro athletes are proven to have taken this stuff.

It's becoming abundantly clear that as long as there isn't a proven test to detect injectible human growth hormone, pro athletes are going to KEEP TAKING IT.

Why wouldn't they? Especially football players, who are more prone to injury than any other professional sport?

I agree completely I'm just shocked that these players weren't more diligent in hiding their identities. Rodney Harrison used his personal credit card to order it. Why these people with so much to lose wouldn't use fake names, untraceable addresses and pay with cash or cashiers checks is beyond me.

[columbusdude82]

Bigger question is why these bureaucrats are wasting taxpayer money on something that's none of the government's business?

Let the MLB and NFL deal with their players, and let taxpayer money go to providing better care for the troops...

[Tre]

I agree completely I'm just shocked that these players weren't more diligent in hiding their identities. Rodney Harrison used his personal credit card to order it. Why these people with so much to lose wouldn't use fake names, untraceable addresses and pay with cash or cashiers checks is beyond me.

I mean, shit, if a bodybuilder has enough sense to do that, then surely these dumbasses should have 'a friend' who can get their junk for them.

[Cap]

Troy Glaus as well.

edit:  He has to have something to stay healthy with 3 cans of dip a game.  True story.

[ieffinhatecardio]

Troy Glaus as well.

I just read about Glaus. That's disappointing, I always liked him. He's an old fashioned power hitter. He hits the ball a mile but strikes out a good amount and can't run. He always seemed like a good guy. Too bad.

[UPINTHEMGUTS]

Troy Glaus as well.

edit:  He has to have something to stay healthy with 3 cans of dip a game.  True story.

You're making a joke right?

Three cans a game! That is fucking foul! How does he have any teeth left? What do his gums look like?