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PED Use Behind Minor Leaguer’s Death?


By Mike Silva ~ October 25th, 2009. Filed under: Mets Minors.

Barth Hubbuch of the NY Post brings up an interesting point over at his twitter when he speculates about the possibility of PED use in the death of Mets minor leaguer Rafael Castro.

18-year-olds don’t normally drop dead of heart attacks, either. You have to wonder how rampant PED use is in the Mets’ Latin program.

Hubbuch also points out that two of Castro’s teammates were suspended for PED use this summer.

It’s a valid point by Hubbuch. I am not revealing anything here by saying it’s far easier to purchase PED’s in foreign countries than here in the United States. Of course, without proof we are only speculating about the PED connection and Castro.

Back in July Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball reported that 59% of minor league PED suspensions were from the Latin Summer League. With the growing percentage of big leaguer’s from Latin America this clearly has to concern the commissioner’s office. In reality there is nothing the league can do other than continue to test and administer suspensions.

Remember, the difference between making it in baseball or not for these Latin players could mean getting their family out of poverty. It makes taking the risk worth it to these kids in some respect.

An excellent point by Hubbuch, but the solution is something that I personally am at a loss to provide.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
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2 Responses to PED Use Behind Minor Leaguer’s Death?

  1. Frank
    October 25th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Mike, very well done. I must say though as much as you claim to not say it is easier to get PED’S , I think if you spoke to Christian Red ( NY Daily News investigative reporter and co-author of American Icon ), you may think differently. He has done many reports and has the research to prove that it is easier out of the country. He was getting the stuff in Bodegas,pharmacies and legitimate places in the Dominican. I am not sure if you saw the article but here it is:

    http://bit.ly/184UIm

  2. Rodrigo
    October 27th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    I think it’s not responsible to affirm it was a PED case. In fact, another version says that trainer didn’t let those boys to eat any food all day until 3 pm., and at four pm he forced them to train.

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