Here's a story that makes little sense on many fronts: Phillies lefty reliever J.C. Romero today will be suspended 50 games at the start of the 2009 season for being in violation of baseball's substance abuse policy. Romero is not accused of using steroids or of cheating. He is not accused of using any banned supplement during the postseason. Rather, he is accused of 'negligence', though the facts of the story as presented so far by ESPN, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and other media outlets suggest that Romero did his due diligence but MLB did not.
In July Romero purchased an over-the-counter supplement at a shop in Cherry Hill, NJ. He showed it to his longtime personal nutritionist to make sure that it was OK and was assured that it was. He also showed it to Dong Lien, Phillies strength and conditioning coach, who advised Romero to get a second opinion, then sent a sample himself to MLB for vetting. In spring all players had been told that any supplement bought over the counter in the US was allowed under the MLB substance abuse policy and that's what Romero had bought. So far so good, huh?
Late in August, however, Romero failed a drug test, then a couple of weeks later failed another. At that point he says that he stopped taking all supplements. Another test on October 1 was negative. MLB meanwhile had done testing on the supplement used by Romero and deemed it no longer allowable. In November it sent a letter to the Players Association stating that three supplements formerly allowed were now found to produce positive test results and were no longer allowed. Again, the letter was sent in November, after Romero had stopped taking the supplement, which till then was allowed.
A hearing on the matter was held in Tampa on October 22, the first day of the World Series. Romero was told he faced a 50-day suspension plus loss of salary ($1.25 million) for taking the supplement but if he admitted guilt it would be reduced to 25 days. Romero refused to do that, maintaining that he was innocent. The PA rep also thought that in the end the case would fail.
In December however Romero got word that the arbitrator had had a "change of heart" and decided on a 50-day suspension, for negligence. What more could Romero have done? He asked two people to check the supplement, which was eventually sent to MLB. Why was he not informed once MLB had determined that the supplement would produce a positive test result? If Romero feels he is being targeted, no wonder.
Asked for comment, both GM Ruben Amaro, Jr., and manager Charlie Manuel declined to respond. Undoubtedly, once the suspension is formally announced they should comment. It seems to me that if Romero is at fault for 'negligence' in following the rules announced in spring, then MLB is even more at fault for its negligence in telling Romero that the supplement submitted for vetting was suddenly no longer allowed. MLB turned a blind eye for years while some of its biggest stars were on the juice and is now penalizing players for following its own guidelines. Little about this story makes sense but it does sound very wrong.
What is amazing to me is that J.C. attended the arbitration hearing, all very hush-hush, on the first day of the World Series, then went on to pitch brilliantly in the series and to win two games, including the series clincher. That is some kind of focus, with a hearing taking place and suspension, loss of salary, and disgrace hanging over his head. Even if he did nothing wrong.
Since joining the Phillies, J.C. has been great in the bullpen and become a fan favorite. But that's really not the point. The whole story reeks of another waffling move by MLB.
