Former Major League Baseball (MLB) player Sammy Sosa suddenly looked fair-skinned these days. Back in the 1990s, when he used to play baseball, his skin did not looked as white as they are today.

Could it be due to steroids? How could steroids make your skin look lighter anyway? Many speculated that Sammy might be hit by a skin condition called Vitiligo due to his steroids use in the 90s and 2000s.

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder that causes depigmentation of skin. It usually occurs in patches and affects the extremities more.

It can be caused by several factors such as autoimmune, genetic and environmental factors, or a combination of two or more of these factors. The condition is also common in people with thyroid disorder.

In Sammy’s case, steroid is pointed out as the main culprit for his condition. This, however, could not be proven. In fact, steroid is used as a temporary treatment for Vitiligo. It can be used to stimulate the skin to produce melanocytes. Cessation of steroids use would guarantee the return of vitiligo soon after.

According to his acquaintance Rebecca Polihronis, Sammy is just going through a rejuvenation process for his skin.

Whatever Sammy did to his skin, everybody was surprised that he came out looking so white. It almost looked like a body double.

From The Hollywood Gossip:

Former Major League Baseball star Sammy Sosa sure looks different lately. We don’t recall him having bleached skin back in his late 1990s, home run heyday.

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Mark McGwire may have kept a very private life ever since his retirement from Major League Baseball, but he promised to spread to word against the use of steroids and its ill effects to children. He promised to charge his foundation with the same message.

A few months after the congressional hearings, Don Hooton, father of Taylor Hooton, the high school baseball player who committed suicide, received an envelope containing a check addressed to the Taylor Hooton Foundation. The check was from Mark McGwire’s foundation.

For the past three years, the Taylor Hooton Foundation has been receiving donations from McGwire’s foundation. However, McGwire’s representative requested that the amount of donations must be kept private.

According to Hooton, McGwire’s personality and popularity, especially with the kids would be advantageous for him to spread the message. Since his back in the spotlight, it would be a great opportunity for him to start to speak and get the message relayed across.

Hooton would want to see McGwire use his voice and influence to spread the word about this topic. He would like McGwire to tell the kids the price he paid for getting involved.

From St. Louis Today:

Within a few months of the congressional hearings that have come to define baseball’s steroid era, Don Hooton, who testified at the hearings and is the father of a steroid-user who had committed suicide, received a nondescript envelope in the mail.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently told the Congress that it had limited capabilities when it comes to preventing dietary supplements with steroids from hitting the market shelves.

From News.Yahoo.com:

“FDA generally cannot identify violative products before they enter the marketplace,” said Michael Levy, director of the FDA’s division of new drugs and labeling compliance, at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary crime and drugs subcommittee. “After products enter the market, we must undertake a painstaking investigative and analytical process” to show the products violate the law.

Levy said that dietary supplement makers need not prove a product is safe unless it contains a new ingredient not previously part of the food supply. That allows unscrupulous companies to market products that can pose health risks, he said.

“Marketing a steroid product as a ‘dietary supplement‘ conveys to the consumer a false sense of safety and legitimacy for these potentially harmful products,” Levy said.

Daniel Fabricant, interim executive director and CEO of the Natural Products Association, which represents retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of health foods and dietary supplements, said his industry is being “victimized by a guerilla-style criminal drug-peddling operation.” He said the solution is enforcement of current laws.

The subcommittee chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Democrat and Philadelphia Phillies fan, remarked before the hearing was initiated that his interest was piqued in some part by the case of Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero, who was handed a suspension of 50 games this season, after being tested positive for Androstendione, a substance that was also used by Mark McGwire in the 1990s.

It is worth noting here that the Major League Baseball Players Association has been pressing the Congress to formulate stringent reporting requirements for supplement manufacturers and hard penalties for repeat offenders.

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Last February, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 – 2003 when he was still with Texas Rangers.

Rodriguez met with officials from Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations and Labor Relations Department in March. He insisted that he did not use steroids beyond 2003.

However, in a book written by Selena Roberts entitled “A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez”, the Sports Illustrated writer claimed that he had used steroids even after coming to the Yankees in 2004.

Baseball investigators contacted Roberts and those close to Rodriguez to look into the matter after the book was released in late April.

Investigations then started until at present, regarding A-Rod’s statement. The commissioner’s office investigated whether he lied to baseball officials about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Investigations proved difficult since witnesses outside of MLB were not compelled to cooperate.

According to The Times, Dominican trainer Angel Presinal was also interviewed by baseball investigators but no significant information has been provided by the trainer, who has been banned from MLB clubhouses.

Last Saturday, the paper reported that the commissioner’s office already came into a decision regarding Rodriguez’s case. The office announced that the league will not punish Rodriguez.

From Miami Herald:

Major League Baseball will reportedly not discipline New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez after investigating whether or not he lied about his used of performance-enhancing drugs.

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Steroids are commonly associated with bodybuilding. However, most people are not aware that common drug treatments used in various medical conditions are also a form of steroids.

Take for example in bone marrow stimulation. Anabolic steroids are used to increase red blood cell count. They are particularly useful in treating hypoplastic anemia, a type of anemia commonly seen among leukemia or kidney patients.

Another use of anabolic steroids is appetite stimulation. This effect may be attributed to the increase in metabolism rate of a person. Anabolic steroids are also useful in improving muscle mass. Patients with chronic diseases like cancer or AIDS usually experience loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss. They may also experience muscle wasting due to immobilization. There are numerous studies showing that these patients were given anabolic steroids and they showed positive results. Anabolic steroids work in these conditions by increasing the energy consumption through increase food intake.

In cases where there is stunned growth due to some pituitary disorders, testosterone works best by promoting signs of puberty.

Testosterone is also beneficial as a male contraceptive. Testosterone enanthate is given to decrease normal production of testosterone in a male’s body. It is slowly gaining popularity in the field of family planning. It is also proven reliable and is a reversible type of contraceptive method.

From Knol:

Steroids are meant for different purposes and are prescribed by doctors with several intentions. In the aspect of body building, they are used for muscle development. On the other hand, there are those steroids which are used in pain relieving when exercising. Medical use of steroids is very relative and there are different approaches in which it is adopted.

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In Blissfield Michigan, Travis Babbitt was awarded first place for his public service announcement about steroids and sports. The audio and video production that he presented in Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center was entered in a completion through the help of Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation. The media production was a result of the 30-to 60-second commercial assignment given to students.

He did a 30-second video containing some footage of his classmates lifting weights. He also included the facts on how steroids can affect people who use them.

Travis Babbitt said that he, himself is involved in sports. He is the defensive lineman for the football team of the Blissfield High School. He also added that his inspiration came from the on going issue in Major League Baseball.

From The Daily Telegram:

A Blissfield teen received a first-place award for his public service announcement about steroids and sports.

The assignment led to him taking home an award certificate on March 11 at a banquet in Grand Rapids. There he received first-place recognition in the television Michigan High School Athletic Association Sports PSA category by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation.

“With everything going on in Major League Baseball with steroids, I thought it would be fitting to do that (topic),” he said.

According, Melissa Conklin, Travis’ teacher on audio and video production, that she really insisted every student to join the contest. She also added that the competition will give students, especially if they win, the opportunity to talk with professional broadcasters when they win and attend the award conference.

Travis Babbitt said that he was excited upon knowing that he won the competition. He added that he had pulled out his phone and started sending text messages to his parents and friends. Babbitt will come back and pursue his independent study next year.

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It seems like fans get tired of exhaustion from steroid relation with baseball.They just want their game back. Even they don’t have any desire to deal with any kind of steroid mess ever again. That’s why baseball requires implementation of a zero-tolerance suspension policy immediately.

According to the current penalty rules, a steroid user gets 50-game suspension for a first positive test, 100-game ban for a second and a lifetime ban for third offense. But it seems that these rules are virtually not harsh enough. In this regard, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said last month, “Ban ‘em for the whole year.”

Although Ortiz’s suggestion is a good start to deal with current steroid problems, but it can be possible only when Major League Baseball accquires tougher side than ever before. Here is a general idea about what the new punishments should be: in first chance a steroid user should get a year ban while in the second offense lifetime ban is must and no exceptions should be made in the punishment rules.

“Eventually we are going to get to the stage where a confirmed steroids’ use will result in a lifetime ban,” says, Fay Vincent, a former MLB commisioner. He also said, “There is a part of me that thinks this is too draconian, but the deterrent is the major question.

From The Daily News:

There is weariness now when steroids and baseball are mentioned in the same sentence. Fans are tired of trying to figure out the difference between Dianabol and Deca-durabolin. They are tired of the excuses. They are tired of the lack of accountability. They want their game back and they don’t want to deal with any of this steroid mess ever again.

That’s why baseball needs to implement a zero-tolerance suspension policy immediately.

The current punishments for steroid users: a 50-game suspension for a first positive test, a 100-game ban for a second and a lifetime ban for a third, are not nearly harsh enough.

Moving forward, there needs to be outrage - the kind being directed at the crooks who hijacked our economic system. In the end, the marauders who molested Wall St. are no different than professional athletes who use steroids; both are consumed by the money to be made when you toss the rules aside and are governed by nothing more than gluttony.

Whatever decision MLB takes to solve this problem yet one thing is clear that if don’t show up ruthless attitude towards the accused players then the game will never return with a bang. It will remain just a pile of stained innuendo, indictment and tattered credibility.

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It seems like every baseball fan wants the names of all the players, who are in the list of those who failed drug tests in 2003 publicly. Till now, only one name comes to limelight, i.e. Alex Rodriguez. But the fans want to know about remaining other 103 steroid cheaters, reveals a poll conducted recently.

With Major League Baseball just a week away, the union and teams are in the need of whitewashing the steroid issues, which dominate the game from the last year. Without it, the healing from steroid scar would take some more years to happen. If again a name appears, it would be another blow to the game identity and another scandal associated with baseball.

From the poll results, it appears that the fans do not want more messy chapters, tearful press conferences and steroid cheaters linked with the game anymore. Even legendary baseball players, such as Brian Cashman, Roy Oswalt, Curt Schilling and Al Leiter also believed that it was best for the game to move out of these humilating episodes as soon as possible.

From The Daily News:

Name all the names and let’s move on. We know about Alex Rodriguez, now tell us about the other 103 cheaters on The List of players who failed drug tests in 2003 and let baseball mend.

With Bud Selig and Donald Fehr out of the way (see the first two points of our five-point plan) the catharsis of full disclosure is what baseball needs. Without it, the healing from the Steroid Era will take many more years, if it ever happens. There will always be a next name to trickle out, whether it is another of the game’s glittering stars or a scrub who needed “boli” just to grab a cup of coffee in the majors. Each name will be another blow to the game, another scandal to remind the baseball world that juiced sluggers and craven pitchers were cheating fans, their teammates, their union and the game.

So tell us everything now. Even if you’re not on that list and you got away with cheating, ‘fess up and you’ll be granted immunity in what will be baseball’s version of the gun law - turn in your syringe and there are no charges. Sure, your endorsements might take a hit, but your conscience will be clear. In America, the land of second chances, you might receive some scorn, but there will be plenty of fans eager to forgive and return to worshipfulness. Just ask Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte.

Leiter, the former pitcher-turned broadcaster said, “As long as there are investigative reporters out there looking for the next biggest names, this will be a story that will always be around.” He also added, “So long as there are people who know who is on the list and they are gathering around barbecues and stuff, talking about the list, let it out. For the good of the game, to move forward.”

In fact, the broadcaster even has an excellent idea to reveal the names of steroid cheaters. “Take the list and plop it down in a big ballroom in New York City,” Leiter suggests.

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In a new Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll of fans showed that the rising price of games would be the main problem in the upcoming Major League Baseball. Soaring salaries and steroids dominated news were the main worries in past surveys. But in recent poll the nation’s recession period is the big blow to MLB whose opening day is less than a week away.

New York Yankees star Mark Teixeira, who signed an eight-year, $180 million contract in the offseason said, “Like every election, it’s the economy and in tough times, disposable income may not be there.”

In other poll about 60% fans said no Hall of Fame honor to players, who were involved in steroids usage or other performance-enhancing drugs issues. Nearly 85 percent people said that the names of all players, who were in the list of positive tests for drugs in 2003, should be made public. Till so far, only Alex Rodriguez has been identified. Besides these percentages, over 50% people said that they were not at all interested in the World Baseball Classic, the preseason tournament that involves major teams.

However, the rising cost of tickets, concessions, parking and other expenditures were the fans’ main concerns. “It’s gone up like everything else. The last game we went to, we paid $50 for a seat. That’s pretty steep,” said Robert Neel, a retired director of admissions at the University of Cincinnati.

From The Daily News:

Soaring salaries and steroids dominated fans’ worries in past AP surveys. But with opening day less than a week away, the nation’s recession is delivering the biggest blow.

“Like every election, it’s the economy,” said New York Yankees star Mark Teixeira, who signed an eight-year, $180 million contract in the offseason. “In tough times, disposable income may not be there.”

In other poll results released Tuesday:

Nearly 60 percent of fans said no player who used steroids or performance-enhancing drugs should get into the Hall of Fame.

Eighty-five percent said all 104 names on the list of players who tested positive for drugs in 2003 should be made public. So far, only Alex Rodriguez has been identified.

Sixty percent said they were not interested in the World Baseball Classic, the preseason tournament involving major leaguers that was won by Japan for the second time.

But the cost of tickets, concessions, parking and everything else added up to fans’ main concern. The toll of attending a game was tops at 45 percent, followed by player salaries (29 percent), steroids/drugs (19 percent) and the length of games (6 percent).

According to the Team Marketing Report, the average ticket price for majors was around $25.43 last year. Although the cost for 2009 has not been decided yet, but there wll be an increase that outplace the inflation rate.

To attract fans to the games, Major League Baseball said that from all 30 teams about two-thirds agreed to lower either their average ticket price or some level of seats. In this regard, The Toronto Blue Jays went a step further by offering a season ticket in the upper deck for $76.

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It seems that former players need some more allegations to make Tommy Lasorda stand against Mike Piazza, a former Dodgers catcher. Piazza was among one of the players who got a tag as a steroid user in Jeff Pearlman’s new book. But Lasorda immediately came to defend Piazza when told about the allegations.

Lasorda, the longtime Dodgers manager said, “I don’t believe that at all.” He also commented, “He worked so hard. I saw him in the weight room working out all the time. Whatever (is in the book) is hearsay. I just don’t believe it. He comes from a family that’s full of good people.”

In defense of Piazza, Lasorda said that he would not comment on the issue and even did not feel strongly about it. Piazza is a 12-time Star and is generally considered as a Hall of Famer who holds the record for most home runs as a catcher.

In his book, Pearlman has said, “He’s a guy who did it and everybody knows it. It is amazing how all these names, like Roger Clemens, are brought up, yet Mike Piazza goes untouched.” The writer also called former major-league first baseman Reggie Jefferson and another anonymous player as “The Rocket That Fell to Earth.”

From The Daily News:

Piazza, a former Dodgers catcher, was one of a handful of players singled out as a steroid user in a new book by Jeff Pearlman, a columnist on Sports Illustrated’s Web site, SI.com. But when told of the accusations Sunday, Lasorda rushed to Piazza’s defense.

“I don’t believe that at all,” said Lasorda, the longtime Dodgers manager . “He worked so hard. I saw him in the weight room working out all the time. Whatever (is in the book) is hearsay. I just don’t believe it. He comes from a family that’s full of good people.

“I wouldn’t comment on it if I didn’t feel strongly about it. He has too much to lose. And he’s such a nice young man. He goes to church, he’s got a nice family. I know him. I know what kind of man he is and I just don’t believe it.”

Piazza, a 12-time All-Star generally regarded as a certain Hall of Famer who holds the record for most home runs as a catcher (396), was drafted by the Dodgers in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft partly as a favor to Lasorda, a godfather to one of Piazza’s brothers.

Pearlman quotes former major-league first baseman Reggie Jefferson and another anonymous player in his book, “The Rocket That Fell to Earth.”

However, Piazza didn’t give any counter statement in regard of the charges and even did not confirm any of the allegations. Lasorda said that the star was disappointed because of the accusations. He also said, “This is a guy that should be in the Hall of Fame. He’s out-honered every catcher that’s in there.”

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