Rangers CEO Ryan disappointed by PED news
ANAHEIM -- Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan was among those who expressed his disappointment that baseball is still dealing with issues regarding steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.
"I think as a whole, I think we're disappointed that we haven't as an industry moved past this because there's been an awful lot of effort put into this, a lot of education," Ryan said. "MLB has made it a priority and so it's disappointing we haven't gotten further down the road."
MLB on Monday suspended 13 players as a result of the league's Biogenesis investigation. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez received the stiffest penalty -- a 211-game ban without pay through the end of the 2014 regular season. Rodriguez, 38, has appealed the suspension, which is to begin Thursday. His case will be heard by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.
Rodriguez's discipline, MLB said in its written announcement, is based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, over the course of multiple years. Rodriguez's discipline under the basic agreement is for attempting to cover up his violations of the program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to "obstruct and frustrate" the investigation.
The other players who were handed 50-game suspensions include Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo and recently demoted Mets utility man Jordany Valdespin.
Cruz's suspension came when the Rangers had just 50 games left in the regular season. In other words, it didn't come at a good time for the Rangers, but Ryan didn't question the timing.
"It's hard for us to form an opinion because we weren't involved in the investigation," Ryan said. "So not knowing that MLB made it a priority. ... That's what it appeared to me to be. I don't know what kind of hurdles they faced. I'd like to think they made it a priority and they tried to do it as quickly as they possibly could, but they also, I'm confident, they tried to be as thorough as they possibly could be."