ajcsportstalk

By Matt

September 17, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

The people at ESPN need to be in politics. They talk about anything that gets them numbers and they “flip-flop” more than a gay republican marching against the war while owning oil stock.

MLB knows what Adam is doing. He’s been foward about it and the system is actually working like it should. People at ESPN know nothing about ADD. If they did, they would have at least showed the “other” side of what people go through who suffer from this.

ESPN actually stands for the qualifications needed to work there:

E at S leep P ee N ap

If you can do this, you too could host OUTSIDE THE LINES.

By Bill

September 17, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this

Of course it was unfair. The drugs are not performance enhancing. They don’t build muscle mass, improve hand to eye coordination or in any other way help LaRoche do anything other than concentrate. From the network that decided it was a good idea to give Barry Bonds his own reality show, this is pretty much the ultimate hypocrisy.

By Bob

September 17, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

Yeah it was unfair, but then what do you expect from an investigative report on ESPN? The guy gets blasted for not taking the medication and now he gets raked over the coals for taking it. If the doctors recommend it and players of the caliber of Craig Biggio take it, I think ESPN should look harder into those athletes who are taking stuff without the medical support that Adam has. Why not spend your time digging deeper into steroid misuse by players other than Barry Bonds…or maybe even looking into the NFL whose holier than thou attitude seems to be designed to make us believe that they don’t have a problem. Hell, maybe they should look into some of their goofy announcers who routinely appear to be on some sort of drugs.

By Dwayne

September 17, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

Oh my god, people are really so mad at espn for doing a report? Get a grip people. In a week, no one will care about that report since the Braves will be home during the playoffs anyways.

By conyers

September 17, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this

of course it was unfair, but that’s life in the big leagues. adam has done himself a great service by taking the meds for ADD, and he’s done a service to kids who are diagnosed, too. but the meds are just a piece of the laroche puzzle. he is also playing twice as much as he used to, he’s a gifted athlete who has worked hard. ESPN is just trying to rattle the cage, but did they question biggio and lowe?

By Reid Adair

September 17, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this

Bob Ley and the producers of “Outside The Lines” have to create a little controversy now and then when there’s nothing else to talk about.

Ley must be a licensed physician now since he can claim LaRoche’s medication is the sole reason for his improved play.

And who on Earth would listen to anything Dwight Stones has to say?

I’m just glad that LaRoche has done what appears to have been necessary to get his life, not just baseball, in some reasonable order.

By fastfoodfreak

September 17, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this

I really don’t regard ESPN as an expert on anything. The Braves are having a bad enough season, and when someone shows some improvement in their game, it’s gotta be the drugs. Obviously Bob Ley has a medical degree we don’t know about.

By JT

September 17, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

Leave it to ESPN to go after something like Adam Laroche’s ADD medication, considering it “performance enhancing”. Lets face it, anyone who has been in his shoes, that is going undiagnosed for all these years, realizes how much better their world becomes through the use of this medication. What will ESPN go after next, people who wear orthotics in their shoes or how about people who wear contacts or glasses? ESPN like so many other news related programs have to go for stories that draw in the most viewers. Their stance on this can backfire due to all of those out there who deal with ADD. Lets face it, if you take the medication and don’t need it, it doesn’t work. Bob Ley should start thinking about retirement or better yet go after the Reggie Bush story or how about Barry “Steriod” Bonds and his lies! Leave the little guy alone.

By Bo

September 18, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

Matt You did the same thing ESPN did making a stupid statemen of your opinion without facts. The majority of gays are Democrats, and a hell of alot on Democrats own oil stock. “Flip- Flop” Kerry & Clinton, come on! “there You go again”. People like you are the reason I don’t vote Democratic anymore. LaRoche is doing whats right and I admire him. He should win a Gold Glove this year. ESPN they’re like most Democrats they always complain but never have a plan.

By Kevin

September 18, 2006 06:37 AM | Link to this

I agree espn went to far over this LaRouche use pills for illness.where was espn when Mcgwire n bonds n sosa use enchanted drugs hit ball better…Nope pick on braves just us…So espn when u rehire reynolds lets us now Not Ley outside his rear end line!

By Libertarian

September 18, 2006 07:06 AM | Link to this

What’s the Republican Plan? Invade Iraq on presumptions that Sadam is linked to Al Queida, Weapons of Mass Destruction. Kill his sons, find no weapons. Great Plan if you’re a Bush Backer.

By Kevin

September 18, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this

Personally, I don’t think the story portrayed Adam unfairly at all. With that being stated, Dwight Stone certainly played devil’s advocate with all the naiveté that he possibly could. Too bad ESPN had to include him (Dwight) to represent the dogmatic far-right without understanding all the facts. Unfortunately, he didn’t fade away with his stupid Disney shorts he wore back in the 80’s.

By rob

September 18, 2006 07:36 AM | Link to this

I wonder how many people at ESPN take medicine for ADHD, or ADD, cause they all should so they would FOCUS on sports like they are supposed to, not the American Medical Association stuff. Dwight Stone, is a has been!!!

By Libertarian

September 18, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this

Republican Plan… Trade BLOOD for OIL

By steve-o

September 18, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this

I thought this was a sports blog. Take your political whining to the opinion page, Libertarian, after you get your rabies vaccination. Moron. Of course ESPN was unfair to Adam Laroche. He is not approaching any MLB rcords of any kind, doesn’t medically bulk up like Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, etc., any is open and willing to talk about his condition. He is not surly, crude or vulgar, therefore ESPN has to create something, or merely —-can the story. Nobody has accused ESPN in the last few years of integrity in reporting anyway, so what’s the deal? Like previous writer Dwayne said, the Braves are about to be out of the playoffs anyway, so except for kicking them while they’re going down, who cares? If you are not one of ESPN’s beloved New York teams, or the drug-saturated Barry Bonds, they don’t give a crap about you anyway.

By AR

September 18, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

It was not UNFAIR, it was a story and a good story at that. I felt Adam was not hurt by the story, infact, it made me appreciate this sorry sport more than I do.

By Will

September 18, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

I just wish they would name the medication that he uses….maybe it would help others who have this dysfuction and are not taking meds for it…

By scott

September 18, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

I have about stopped watching ESPN except for an actual sport event. They sid eup with most players, afraid to critize them because they must have them for all their shows. They go after players without a lot of status for their hot pieces.

By Eric

September 18, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

First of all, ESPN sucks. Second of all, ESPN sucks. And finally ESPN sucks.

Why?

• Spelling Bee
• Poker
• Stuart Scott
• Too much entertainment, not enough sports in their television
• At least they aren’t NBA, the network too far up Notre Dames bunghole to acknowledge the rest of the sports world.

By Shaun

September 18, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

I didn’t see the ESPN story, but if they did attribute LaRoche’s success to just taking ADD medication, I think that is unfair. LaRoche is right at the age when players see their production peak, and I’m sure playing everyday has a lot to do with his success. The medication probably is a factor, but it takes more than one thing to make someone a successful major league player. It’s not like LaRoche was a bad hitter before this year (.267 AVG/.326 OBP/.468 SLG). LaRoche’s progression shouldn’t surprise anyone and I’m sure there are several factors for it. If the ESPN report credited the ADD meds, it was fair. If it made it seem like LaRoche was a horrible player before the meds, it was unfair.

By Tony

September 18, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

I watched the program on ESPN and I was disappointed. Just when I was about to bring my child (diagnosed ADHD) in to hear this story for encouragement, the focus became negative about the issue.

As a parent, watching Adam speak about his issues helped me understand more things about my son and his lack of focus on the simplest of tasks. My son has been on medication since he was 3 and I can honestly tell you that even with medication, he is still lost on a regular basis. Medication can only help so much.

My now 12 year old son is still uncoordinated, forgetful, and his focus can diminish from any environment with the introduction of a flashlight to a room. This is while on the medication. Only people who have no idea of the complexity of the diagnosis can argue about the advantages gained by the medication.

Tony

By Festus

September 18, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

ESPN and SI are both nothing more than tabloids for the sports world. If the Pac 10 or Big 10 folded, I doubt they would even exist anymore.

By GW

September 18, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

I wonder how many college athletes take similar medication? So what? It’s no different than insulin for diabetes if a person truly has ADD. Be a school teacher for a day and ESPN will see how real this problem is.

By mesmo

September 18, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this

Bob Ley, ESPN, bunch of twerps, too much self agrandizement, too much focus on gossip, ratings, etc. I wonder if Adam would consider sharing his ‘script with some of his teammates? If the whole team turned around like he has they would have a lead on the Mets at present.

By Braves Fan

September 18, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

I am boycotting ESPN until further notice. This coupled with the Bonds Obsession/Reality Show is just ridiculous.

By Michelle

September 18, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

I have ADD and take medication. I wish it would enhance my performance. I am doing good to make it through the day having completed my job in the manner they wish me too with out being fired. ESPN needs to shove it.

By Matt

September 18, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

Bo, take a chill pill. What I was saying is that ESPN did not provide two sides of the story. Last week it was saying he should take his meds becuase his team and his fans expect him to do what is necessary for him to do his job. This week, he is portrayed as a drug user trying to get his batting average up. My description in the previous blog was simply used to describe ESPN’s stance(s) on issues, they don’t make sense. Hence—gay republican, democrat who supports the war and owns oil stock. Not always true, but when it is we view it as strange. Chill out! The point is that Adam is in the right and ESPN was wrong not present the story with facts from both sides.

By Rod

September 18, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

I went to the ESPN website and sent them a complaint email (contact us at the bottom of the front page at espn.com). Maybe if enough of us complain, they’ll think a little further and try to amend their comments with some helpful information for ADD people.

By Shaun

September 18, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

Sounds like ESPN just oversimplified a complex issue in order to create controversy and, in turn, to try to increase attention and viewership; no different than every other mainstream media outlet. There are too many factors that make someone a good major league ballplayer, they can’t be covered on an hour-long TV show. Taking medication is the one factor that can become political and controversial so that’s the one they created the show around.

By Tracie

September 18, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

ESPN has no medical degree. To report on how a medication affects a person is way out of the line of business.

To all of you who have ever been around ADD, the medication just allows you to concentrate. It does not do your work for you, it does not give you talent. Yes I do believe that the medication helps Adam, but not unline high blood pressure medication helps with high blood pressure.

Unless you have a degree in medicine or first hand knowledge in how a medication works, you have no business speculating. Thats what ESPN did here. LaRoche has talent and being able to hit left handers has brought back that sweet swing he had when he first came up. Platooning took it away and the injury to Jordan was the opportunity for him to get it back. Dont take away from Adam. He is a future allstar.

By Kelley

September 18, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

I don’t care what LaRoche is taking, I’m just glad he’s playing better than he did last year. My son is ADD and I don’t mind telling anyone that he takes medication. My son is a classic example of a person who truly needs the medicine, as an educator I tried every other avenue to control it and nothing worked, so Adam should be applauded for being so open about it.
I don’t think the medicine is what made his hitting improve, but I will say as a mother of someone who takes Ritalin I can see how it would make him a better all around player and help him focus more during the game. I didn’t see the piece, did ESPN manage to criticize the Braves for only winning on World Series in their fabulous streak of fourteen years? Now that wouldn’t surprise me. Don’t criticize ESPN for wanting ratings, that is their job you know.

By Bo

September 18, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Matt ,its cool and would be strange. Agree on ESPN.

By Kelly

September 18, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

Is ESPN EVER fair?? I think Adam has been improving for the past 2 or 3 years now. ESPN heard about the ADD thing early this summer and decided to run with it! I say WHO CARES WHAT THEY THINK! They are Yankee fans anyway!!!

By Dawg in Cajun Country

September 18, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

Since when is ESPN fair about anything? Their hype leads to college football phantoms being anointed as potential national champions until such teams play anyone of consequence (Notre Dame). Any team from the south or person playing for a team from the south, because of ratings, is automatically suspect in the eyes of ESPN - and it has nothing to do with quality of play.

By Ted

September 18, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

Let me say first that I am a 36 year old male who was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 27. I have a master’s degree from a top university and yet was struggling in the entry-level position I took at the start of my career. It was taking 8 cups of coffee a day to “concentrate” my way through the day. I knew my struggles had nothing to do with effort so I sought help.

The point is that ADD drugs are not “performance enhancers”. They simply allow those with ADD to reach their full potential, potential that “normal” people are able to reach with effort alone.

I have suceeded during the past 10 years into Management with a combination of medication and effort.

I would say, however, that I am currently on Strattera which is a non-narcotic ADD treatment. It is not a stimulant and works differently from Ritalin and Adderal. Adam should be able to take this medication without a waiver from MLB but it doesn’t work for everyone.

By Cleanuphitter16

September 18, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

ESPN has Steve Phillips and John Kruk as their BBTN “experts” and Joe Morgan, who apparently never actually watches any game hes not calling and refuses to EVER address the huge steroid elephant in the room, as their main baseball commentator. It’s no wonder they would come up with junk like this. All ESPN needs to do now is hire Darren Daulton and his “cosmic energies revolving around the eternal number eleven” to replace Peter Gammons and they will officially have the worst baseball coverage on North American television. (Google Darren Daulton if you don’t know what I’m talking about! lol)

And Libertarian….what the f$*%?? Why are you here? Go read Doonsbury.

By Dawg in Cajun Country

September 18, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

ESPN workers are Yankee fans, USC (not South Carolina) fans, Ohio State fans, and fans of all who aren’t either on a team or are a team from the southeast. They know when it comes to sports, we aren’t fickled, therefore they need not win us over, so they need not court us. Our populaton density is also lower, a fact the ratings conscious cable network is ever aware of. It’s all about the numbers - numbers having nothing to do with the score or level of competition. Higher ratings equal higher advertising dollars and, when combined, the sum total is next to zero where fairness is concerned.

By yehuda

September 18, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

ESPN needs job security, and stories like this is their job security.

By ImaFan

September 18, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

ESPN… Enigmatic Producers of Stupid Non-sense. Consider the source and let’s move on!

By Lance

September 18, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

I try to watch ESPN as little as possible: I’ll catch some recaps of major sports, and that’s it. They are to sports what MTV is to music…inventing fake content.

By Ronald

September 18, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

The only ones who are bigger idiots than the stooges at ESPN are the ones who pay any attention to them and thus give them credibility.

By Jim Nasium

September 18, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Apparently it’s not unfair if allowable by the league, so who care’s what ESPN thinks. You always go after the team who’s on top - 14 years in a row! Not to mention, they’re looking for a John Rocker response. Let’s not forget, who’s to say these stats are how LaRoche would perform if he did not have ADD. The medication is putting him back to where he should be to begin with. If I had a backache and took Tylenol, am I taking ‘performance enhancing drugs’. Yes. Does it matter. No.

By John May

September 18, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

Who cares? Braves stink and haven’t won anything significant in years. Adam is simply a functional light in a flickering sign. The real investigation should focus on what drug would keep Chipper off the DL, get Andruw hitting again, and bring JS off his high horse. This just in…….nobody cares about those division titles besides those getting bonuses off them.

By silver.surfer

September 18, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Regardless of what ESPN might intimate, no one factor can account for anyone’s improvement in a major league sport. Did the medication help? Sure, it might have. Medication for ADD certainly could be considered “performance enhancing.” It should be. A beneficial outcome from taking medication is the whole point. Folks who have a disease or chronic condition have the right to take medication. Does a player with a sore knee have to justify taking a cortisone shot?

I suffer from chronic depression and play serious competitive darts. No, it ain’t quite major league baseball, but it’s important to me. After I started taking medication for the condition, my play did improve. Better concentration and improved ability to control my emotional responses helped. That, neck surgery for a fractured disk, more practice and greater confidence resulted in my play being very much improved after many years of being a hacker. You think ESPN would pin everything on the medications?

You’re sure to get a hysterical reaction if you shout drugs in a crowded theater. Few people have the interest or understanding to look past a hot button term to comprehend the personal issues involved. I’ve never been an Adam LaRoche fan, but now I do understand some of the personal issues – and how he has dealt with them – my attitude is changing. Who cares what ESPN has to say? Just because they voice an opinion it doesn’t mean anyone is going to agree with it. That’s America baby – at least till Dubya repeals the Bill of Rights.

By Chris

September 18, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

Is Ritalin a steroid? No, but if it does allow Adam LaRoche to “focus” it most certainly “enhances” his performance. Anyone who has ever tried to hit a baseball (let alone at the Major League) level, would agree that the ability to “focus” is an important skill to any (pro) athlete. That said, if a baseball player has an infection, which prevents him from performing at a “major league” level, any antibotic or other medication that enables him to perform at 100% is by definition, “performance enhancing”. Go easy on ESPN. I suspect it was their intention to illustrate the hypocrisy of MLB’s “performance enhancing drug policy”. I had a “cup of coffee” with the Detroit Lions in 1984, and I used anabolic steroids (I still got cut). In a perfect world athletes (at any level) would rely on natural ability and hard work to “be the best”. As it stands, technology and medicine are facts of life and ALL professional (and perhaps amatuer) sports organizations/leagues should admit as much and “let the best man win” with or without the assistance of drugs.

By Pamela

September 18, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

ESPN is not the best at reporting anything. LaRoche is doing something to help himself and if it improves his baseball then that’s makes it all the better. I think they are going down with all the sports being played on other channels.

By "Good"Dawg

September 18, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

As a psychologist who has monitered childrens’and adults’ responses to stimulant medicications for decades,I contend that LaRoche’s ability to improve started with the medication! With the increased ability to focus and motivation to work hard and succeed, LaRoche controlled his success to a great extent.The medication only gets credit for changing his neurochemistry ! Many people take stimulant medications but it still requires hard work and often a change in circumstances !

By MAC

September 18, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

The program was a hatchet job, but ESPN was partially right. ADD medication like Ritalin and Concerta is basically speed and speed has been ILLEGALLY used for many years by MLB players. It helps with concentration and eye hand coordination during the long season (especially night games)for both batters and pitchers. There IS a legitimate question on whether it has enhanced LaRoche’s production, but to omit that others like Biggio & Lowe are taking the same medication with MLB blessing was unfair. AND to omit that many MLB STARS have taken similar drugs ILLEGALLY for decades missed the real story which is: Is it fair to let some players take the drugs legally and others not on the basis of a doctor’s ADD analysis, which is primarily a psychological test not a physical test? BTW, I have ADD and have been prescribed similar drugs for over 5 years so I know a little bit about it.

By no mal

September 18, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

1) the discussion topic refers to “edited” interviews. THis phrase is loaded, equating “edited” with “censored.” Realize every quote to appear in the AJC and on ESPN is “edited” what, should we have to sit though 15 hours of raw tape? 2) Many of the poster on this blog are confusing “fair” with “what I’d like to see” What they’d like to see is Larouche complimented for HARD WORK and GOOD CHARACTER. The report was fair and journalistically sound in that it provided context, raised questions and, in this viewer, gave me information I had theretofore been unaware of. And btw, I had never heard the ping pong ball analogy and it drove home to me a way of thinking about ADD that I had never considered. THat’s infomrative and useful BEYOND the world of sports. 3) Anyone who says that the program didn’t credit Larouche’s “hard work” enough has a fundamental misunderstanding of ADD. That’s the whole point of acknowledging the disease, recognizing that Adam’s mental lapses had to do with something other than his industriousness and character. 4) other dumb points on this blog- that a network doesnt have a “medical degree” that a network “loves the yankees” and everything having to do with politics. PLEASE. 5)other Good points on this blog - that poker and stuart scott are dragging down ESPN, that being business partners with Bonds was SHAMEFUL 6) addendum to pt 5 - Outside the lines runs directly counter to the softening of ESPN.

My biases - pro hard news, not a braves fan, nor a hater - did pick up Larouche in my fantasy league in Mid july - traded Justin Morrneu for him and Brandon webb — A VERY GOOD DEAL FOR ME!

By Wayde Day

September 18, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

I have always been a huge supporter of ESPN. But it seems now that they have no competition! They have gone stupid on us. They treat us fans like we are ignorant. If they don’t bring up other players doing the same thing then Adam is being isolated. It makes him look guilty. Dwight Stones opinion means zero.. What does an old high jumper know? What does he know about Baseball? This is a good story messed up by ESPN.

Braves Fan are behind Adam..

By DEADBIRD

September 18, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

If it were Jeter, A-Rod, Schilling, Manny or Ortiz, Peyton or Brady, No way would it have been done in a negative way. ESPN always looks for negativity Outside the lines of the ones they worship. The lovefest they show for all of the above including Notre Dame, USC, Ohio St., etc. is downright sickening. These are the same people that give Lou Holtz a check every week. I wonder what meds he is or isn’t on. Keep up the good work Adam and good luck.

By MAC

September 18, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

ESPN might also have mentioned that Biggio is having a lousy season (just broke an 0 for 26 slump), even though he is on the drugs too. So give LaRoche some credit.

By Adam's Army

September 18, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Adam’s Army s an Adam LaRoche fan club. We think it is unfair to totally contribute Adam’s success to his medication. We have ALWAYS know that Adam is an elite baseball player. LaRoooooooooooooche!!!!!!

By Matt M.

September 18, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Hey Matt, (first post) you called Republicans gay and flip-flopping. What world are you living in. Quit trying to to ridicule people because it just made you stupid. You can’t tie gay and flip-flopping to Republicans. Those words, along with communists, perfectly describe a liberals politics.

By Matt M.

September 18, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

By the way, Michael Moore owns/owned stock in Hailburton. Public knowledge. Communism is a disease, get medication

By RLU

September 18, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t able to read all of the statements and I am sure I am repeating others views. But isn’t taking medication for a diagnosed condition, even if it is on the banned list and a waiver was received, than taking something “only” for it’s enhancing value? If it did help his play, it is because he is now focusing on a normal level. I believe playing everyday is more a reason for his improved stats.
For those bad mouthing the Braves….not every fan can say that for the past 14 years that there team went to post season. Yes, I would have liked for them to go further. But, they have been and in my opinion still are, a GREAT team!! GO BRAVES!! Looking forward to next year!

By Matt M.

September 18, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Enough with the Bush lied. If you have read the news in the last month, you would know that weapons were found. Ask the Pentegon. This is why now Dem leaders will say that anymore. They obviously are smarter than you. If Iraq isn’t tied to Al-Queda, how come so many of their head guys have been killed there when we first went in. I personally don’t agree with the war, but its the point. I wouldn’t have invaded Iraq, I would have blown up the whole area, b/c they want to kill everybody, and there’s nothing we can do to change that. OK, now, since this is a Braves chat, lets talk about the Braves. Leave Rochy alone, he’s hitting good b/c he’s playing everyday. ESPN is getting worse everyday. I don’t even watch them anymore unless a game is on. I watch FOXSports or use the internet for sports info. This is one viewer they already lost. I’m sure they care though.

By Chad

September 18, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

I like pancakes………..hey is that a bird out my window? What were we talking about?

By Matt M.

September 18, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this

My bad Matt, posted my post after reading yours right away. Should’ve read the whole blog. Libertarian, I’m a libertarian, but your a psycho. The war for oil thing is old. They said today the West is doomed, their “holy war”. But you call it a war for oil. That makes sense. I just want to thank the Braves for the last 14 years and even this year. It’s been great and it has made this year interesting and heartbreaking. ESPN sucks, so everybody stop watching it, they understand soon enough. FoxSports and your teams websites will give you better and more accurate info anyway. Here’s to the rest of this year and next.

By Doug Bower

September 18, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

The danger of any article is that is dependent on slants adn words which often misrepresent the reality that exists. Is it plausible that a medication helped Adam LaRoche? Sure in as much as hitting requires precise concentration, and in as much as ADD is about losing concentration, if a medication sharpens concentration by whatever mechanism, then it is possible that medication helped. This is not performance enhancement in the steroid sense any more than an antibiotic improves performance by helping the body deal with an infection.

By Matt M.

September 18, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

Yes, its a bird. It just pooped on your car.

By Jeffrey

September 18, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Let’s see. ESPN is criticizing LaRoche for taking medication that simply gets him back to the point that he would have been had he not suffered from ADD. That is a totally ridiculous comparison to Bonds, McGwire, Palmeiro, Giambi, et al who got to a level that no human being could ever have achieved without steroids. Let me guess that ESPN will next seek to disqualify from the record books any player who ever wore glasses, contacts, or anything to help them have normal vision. Stupidity thy name is ESPN.

By MSG Fitz

September 18, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

By larry orange

September 18, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

so far not 1 blogger has said anything about LaRoche taking the drugs in the minors and him having to stop taking them because of the side effects. And now with the medication apperently improved over what it was several years ago, it has helped him . Im for whatever helps him not only in his baseball career but his quality of life in general, for that is what’s important.

By Mike

September 18, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

does anyone really care about either espn or laroche’s medication anyway? if so, pls take a look at your life and what’s important.

By Matt

September 18, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

MATT M

My blog was “slanted”. It was meant to poke fun of ESPN and politicians who side with certain issues due to poll and rating numbers and not with the issues themselves. The MAIN and MOST important thing to remember, is that ESPN presented a one sided story.

We can all hide behind this print, but our character comes out each and every day. It is not my fault that you did not read all of the blog initially, nor is it my fault that you can not comprehend the main idea of a paragraph. Nor is it my fault that you are a liberatarian, which I thought automatically qualified you as a psycho.

Just kidding, see you’re all pumped up again for nothing.

By linny

September 18, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

whew you guys are a tough bunch!!!! To pick one little point out of the whole day’s blogging…. Joe Morgan will talk about anything, anywhere, for longer than any other human being can possibly tolerate, with the least amount of knowledge on whatever topic he picks than anyone else around. why he gets paid big bucks to sit and broadcast when there are a heckuva lot of better folks out there to do it is and always HAS been a mystery to me!!!

and by the way, i’m proud of Adam for facing his problems and working to deal with them, rather than deny them and end up really sick, or burned out.

and since i have been a braves fan since about 1969, regardless of the outcome — sometimes frustrated, sometimes happy, but always a fan — i think i can safely say i’ve seen a LOT worse from the team than this year … it’s just that THIS year following 14 division titles, it is RELATIVELY disappointing.

heckuva ending last night, tho!!!

~¿@

By William Canton, GA

September 18, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this

LaRoche is a great player with an imbalance that causes him to not be able to focus and it is hard to do at times because I am the same way and didn’t find out till I was 25 and who knows how it would have helped me finding out earlier. This is not a drug that gains you advantage over another it is to help you as a person on and off the field and there are tons of athletes that take the same thing or depression or anxiety pills as well that help them as well. Steroids HGH body altering enhancement drugs or supplements should be off limits because of what they do to the human body, but hell if you are stupid enough to kill yourself or cripple yourself for the all mighty dollar then go for it cause you will pay for it in the end. Owners and Leagues need to be accountable for this with their outrageous wages wanting so much for. Lower player’s wages and owner’s intake and then ticket prices would come down and everyone could enjoy the sports and maybe players would stay in college and maybe stay off the drug and sports enhancement drugs as well.

By Matt Yoder

September 18, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

Adam is one AWESOME 1st baseman!!! To be honest if I had to choose between him or Andrew for next year I would go with Adam….All those numbers he put up and it only cost the Braves $400,000 this year!!!! Go BRAVES! ;-)

By kevin

September 18, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

ESPN needs to start being a little more objective in their “investigative” pieces. This kind of overtly biased programming is exactly why I stopped watching ESPN a long time ago.

By billy g

September 18, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this

I admit that I did not like LaRoche’s play earlier in the season. I was unaware of his disability. Now that I know, I am a supporter and I hope that MLB is wise enought to allow him the medication that makes him whole.

By M.S. Alred

September 18, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this

ESPN should have explained that DeLoache was not an everyday player. It seems they search for any derogatory information they come up with. LaRoache appears to be a person who would never take muscle enhancing drugs.I would be totally surprised if he did.

By Jul

September 18, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

The sad thing about this ESPN show is that when Adam was approched about this show he was eager to do it because it was suppose to be about people with ADD being able to follow their dreams and do anything they wanted. He had no idea they would put this angle on the story, and was very disappointed. It seems anything you say to the media can be twisted any way they want to suit whatever angle they feel like using. The Laroches have found that out this year.

By Chief Thinkumlots

September 18, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

Chief Thinkum ESPN is bad medicine. Chief say wipe A$$ with what ESPN say, they liberal press…. looking for rating and stirring up ponychit… UGH. Chief Thinkum Adan LaRoche need strong medicine and him erforming now for little wampun…UUUGH!….. Now chief go smoke peace pipe and read blog

By Brian

September 18, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

ESPN has become a tabloid network. Their coverage of Barry Bonds, Mike Tyson, Maurice Clarrett, etc. Adam LaRoche is a good young ballplayer and from what I have heard, is a even better father and husband.

If ESPN can’t find positives in a player for trying to deal with a situation, then that is their problem. I for one am tired of them always looking for the bad in sports.

By Bob

September 18, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

I think its a personal matter. If a psychiatrist determins that adderal will help Laroche mentally organized, than it is Laroche’s own business. Its not the medias place to talk about it. That is why its called doctor patient confidentiality.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

September 18, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

I think to suggest that LaRoche’s production is solely due to the ADD medicine is irresponsible and unfounded. I think the medicine has had an effect on him. But, I think it has probably helped him more in the field than at the plate. I think his offensive prodcution this year can be attributed to him playing everyday. He said in spring training that he needed to play everyday to be sharp. He started hitting well before he began taking the medicine. Heck, he was tearing the cover off the ball on the road when that brain fart happened against the Nats.

I love ESPN and also happen to think Outside The Lines is a very good show. However, the show and ESPN can tend to lean toward tabloid journalism sometimes. I also believe their is a subtle slight when it comes to the Braves. When I first heard it mentioned on the blogs, I thought it was just fans being fans. But, after really observing the analysts and Baseball Tonight I have began to feel the same. It seems like when the Braves get compliments they are almost backhanded.

Karl Ravech, whom I like, and Steve Phillips are the worst. Phillips still has sore feelings from the years his butt got embarrassed by the Braves and JS if you ask me. Even in 2000 when the Mets got to the WS they knew if they had faced the Braves they would have never won the NLCS. I also notice that McCann and Francoeur and James get no accolades at all despite those three being bright shining stars and superstars in the making. I mean for the love of God, McCann is the best catcher in the NL and all you hear about is LoDuca and Piazza. Lets get real. Those two are not, have not been, nor will ever be the all around good catcher McCann is and will be. Chuck James in 10-3 and if he hadn’t been hurt and pitched all season would probably have 15 wins. But, they just mention him in passing and go on to the next subject.

By Rutuger

September 18, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

GO FALCONS!!!

By BOBBY COX

September 19, 2006 12:06 AM | Link to this

Adam’s medicine has boosted his numbers so much that we have decided to put the entire team on it next season.

By Ken

September 19, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

Of course, it was unfair. ESPN and all of it’s announcers, except Jeff Brantley, have always disliked the Braves.

By NLCHAMPS

September 19, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

Wahhhhhhh…..ESPN doens’t like the braves. Wahhhhhhh. Brave fans think everyone should be kissing their @ss. Wahhhhhhhhhhh.

By Samuel Gore

September 19, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

It’s a medical problem, and that should be between the doctor and LaRoach, and not the government, MLB, ESPN, or anyone else.

By Tom

September 19, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

To the ones complaining about the ESPN piece on Adam LaRoche and ADD: get a life.

To say you’re not watching ESPN again because there’s not enough sports???????? Are you on drugs 24/7?

They presented the fact that he’s using a drug to help him. There was an interview, a Q & A, and a debate with a panel. It’s up to you to form your own opinion. I don’t understand what everyone’s problem was with it. I thought it was well done.