AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 21
Friday, April 21, 2006
‘Druw’s power suspicion-free
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Among the many astounding stats regarding Andruw Jones’ home-run explosion are these: He’s got 47 homers in 432 at-ats over his past 117 games, or one every 9.2 ABs. And in 41 road games since July 18, he’s hit 22 homers in 155 at-bats, or one every 7.05 at-bats.
Folks, that’s absolutely Bonds-ian power production. Or, given the plummeting fortunes and dark clouds hanging over the giant Giant, perhaps I should say, that’s absolutely McGwire-ish. Wait, given the andro controversy and implausible denial of the giant ex-Cardinal, perhaps I should say, that’s Sosa-like. No, wait…
Which brings me to my point, and it’s a sensitive one that I’m not going to get too commital over: Steroids and Andruw…. Yikes. I can hear the squirming of team officials and fans alike now, as they read that.
But I’m not here to make irresponsible accusations. No, no. I’m only addressing this because I’ve gotten some e-mails from fans and whispered questions from folks who have no idea and just want to know about Jones - specifically, do I think he’s been on the juice? And while I have no way of knowing, I also have no reason to suspect, in terms of what I see in the clubhouse and what I’ve seen in his physical development.
By that I mean, each of those aforementioned players got massive and ripped in the latter stages of their career, with low body fat and impossibly large muscles in their mid to late-30s. I saw each in the clubhouse, and it was rather frightening, the sheer, unnatural muscle mass.
Andruw is much larger than when he broke into the majors, but it’s overall size…. Hmmm… how to put this kindly? He’s not going to be on the cover of any fitness mags with that body.
He’s strong as a bull, but not ripped up like so many other sluggers or linebackers or bodybuilders. He’s a bit lumpy, not much different than the guy next door who lifts weights.
Again, he’s strong as a bull, because he works hard and he’s been blessed with speed and strength. I can’t think of another baseball athlete with the power and grace that he has in such an unimposing package.
He just doesn’t show any of the classic signs of steroid or HGH usage, from back acne to huge shoulders and the thin waist and V-shapped upper body I’ve seen on other players who are widely perceived as users.
Also, there are always whispers among players, scouts, writers, etc., about guys who are known users. And Andruw’s name never gets brought up in that discussion. Other players don’t suspect he’s a juicer. He was a fantastic player when he broke in the majors, and he still moves in the outfield as fluidly and effortlessly as ever. Again, not what you’d expect from a juicer. He doesn’t get the muscle and ligament tears that so many juicers get when they start to break down. He plays every day and doesn’t get dehydrated like some juicers and those who take massive amounts of legal creatine.
Some will ask, why even bring it up? Well, because I think it’s worth mentioning that Andruw and Derrek Lee are about the only guys who’ve hit a ton of homers recently who are never, ever mentioned under a steroid suspicion by other players, and players know this stuff, believe me. They all know who’s using, or have a very good idea.
Lastly, he has none of the mood swings or rage that some users show. Not that that’s a certain sign, but it’s just another red flag. He’s actually a kinder, gentler player than he was two years ago, more mature after getting married and having two kids. He’s become a go-to guy for quotes and a pleasant conversationalist, willing to discuss anything - yes, including steroid use.
He openly says that supplements, greenies and ‘roids have been around a long time and plenty of guys use them, and he’ll talk off the record about the subject at length. Never once have I sensed any kind of uneasiness or reluctance from him in those discussions, which one might expect if a guy was being hypocritical and talking about something he himself is doing.
I’m not going to say he does or doesn’t, because I don’t know and because that’s the kind of claim that could blow up in my face if I were to speculate on something I don’t know about. I’m just going to say, I think it’s pretty special what he’s doing, and even more so that he’s doing it, near as I can tell and from what I’ve heard, without the artificial aid that so many others have used or been suspected of using.
OK, discuss among yourselves. And please, don’t accuse me of stirring up something. I’m not.
