Schneider Changes Mets Behind the Plate (and weighs in on steroids)

[kimnat]

Actually I wouldn't take comfort in addition from subtraction thought.  Now the catcher who knows us so well is at one of rivals.

[spidernat]

Actually I wouldn't take comfort in addition from subtraction thought.  Now the catcher who knows us so well is at one of rivals.

The same could be said for the one we have now. That really isn't so important but as is customary for guys like Schneider his strengths are overvalued because there really isn't much to say on his behalf other than 'he calls a darn good game' or 'he's a nice guy' ' or 'at least he didn't juice up'. Advance scouting.

[kimnat]

Since you added that last few words, I know you weren't singling me out. 

[NatsAddict]

The following is the Q&A part of a report updated November 26, 2007. 

Does a test for hGH exist?
A test for hGH was first introduced at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The test to detect hGH abuse is a blood test.

Is the hGH test reliable?
> The current test is reliable.

> Another test, in its final development stage, will be combined with the current test to further enhance the detection window for hGH abuse.

> The concepts and development of both hGH tests have been systematically reviewed by international independent experts in such fields as hGH, endocrinology, immunoassay, analytical chemistry, etc. In addition, these tests are the outcome of nearly US$6 million in research over the course of more than 10 years.

> Research was initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the European Union, and then taken over by WADA when it was created and had adopted scientific research as one of its priority activities.

Why has there been only a limited implementation of the current hGH test?
> The current test is based on the blood matrix and has been implemented on a limited scale to a number of the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratories worldwide.

> The antibodies used for the current tests are produced in a research environment. The production of antibodies in a research environment is characteristically small.

> Industrial production of the anti-bodies is the next step for the widespread implementation of the hGH test.


When will the industrial production be ready?
> A proto-type of a commercial kit has been made. WADA is moving to the final stage which involves working with a commercial company for its large scale production and distribution. WADA anticipates that these kits will be available soon.

Why have there been no positive cases for hGH so far?
> The test was introduced at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and other major sport events. However, because hGH is often taken by doping athletes in the offseason for the anabolic effect, the test is most effective when implemented in a no-advance-notice out-of-competition strategy.

> Widespread implementation of the test, once produced on a commercial basis, will likely change these statistics.


Is a urine test for hGH likely to be developed?
> According to the overwhelming majority of international experts, the blood matrix is the most reliable matrix for the detection of hGH.

> hGH in urine is found in extremely small quantities (less than 1% than that found in blood).

> In the view of international scientific experts, efforts to develop a reliable urine test for hGH would require significant resources and time, and chances of success appear remote.

WADA-AMA

[spidernat]

Since you added that last few words, I know you weren't singling me out. 

Good come back kimnat. But seriously, that sort of thing is overrated.

[spidernat]

The article in this morning's Post claimed that the test is not reliable after about 24 hours of injecting HGH. If true, that would render the test useless since guys are known to get heads up on when they are getting tested. All this stuff is infuriating. 

[kimnat]

Good come back kimnat. But seriously, that sort of thing is overrated.

 

[NatsAddict]

The article in this morning's Post claimed that the test is not reliable after about 24 hours of injecting HGH. If true, that would render the test useless since guys are known to get heads up on when they are getting tested. All this stuff is infuriating. 

Based on the answers in the Q&A, it sounds like its true or pretty close to the truth. 

Also, WADA had this response to the Mitchell report:

WADA Statement on Mitchell Report
Date: December 13, 2007

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) welcomes Sen. George Mitchell’s report exposing the depth of the drug problem and urging progress in the fight against doping in major league baseball. WADA supports many of his conclusions and recommendations, including the recommendation that Major League Baseball must institute a credible testing program that is fully transparent, implemented by an independent third party, and incorporates year-round, no-advance-notice testing.

“The program that Sen. Mitchell is recommending is based largely on the model developed by WADA and universally approved and implemented by Sport and Governments around the world,” said WADA President Richard W. Pound. “The real question now is, what will MLB and the players’ association do? They must look at changes to the collective bargaining agreement immediately. They now have no credible reason to delay.”

As for the recommendation to waive disciplinary action against those players who were found through the report to have used banned drugs, Mr. Pound expressed his concern that accountability should not be lost in the process of moving beyond the current drug era of baseball. “WADA supports the principle of accountability, and holding everyone responsible for their own actions, including not only the players, but also the clubs and the management," said Pound. "After all, we’re talking about sport. Sport is based on rules. And when rules are broken, there must be consequences. If there’s to be any kind of amnesty, then it should promote a real truth and reconciliation that motivates all of those who have doped to be forthcoming in order to achieve a true clean slate, for the sake of restoring real integrity to the sport.”

WADA also supports the recommendation of a completely independent investigatory office to follow-up on allegations of anti-doping rules violations. “It is clear that the most effective strategy in combating doping in sport involves a combination of several programs, including testing, education, and investigations,” continued Pound. “Non-analytical evidence is just as important in determining a doping violation as a positive test. We have been promoting this approach and promoting collaboration between the Sport Movement and government and law enforcement authorities to ensure that we can attack doping in this way as well.

WADA

[natsfan1a]

On that, I think we can all agree.

All this stuff is infuriating.