3 replies to this topic

[champain2002]

Speaking of announcers and Lotte, former Giant Ma Hae-young was all over the Korean media yesterday claiming he witnessed teammates using steroids. Ma has a new book out (surprise, surprise) called In his book titled “Yagu Bonsaek” which means something like “The Real Color of Baseball.” In the book he claims he witnessed Korean players taking performance-enhancing drugs and tipping each other off to upcoming pitch selections during games. Not sure what I think of Ma coming out and saying this. But, heck, why does anyone else do it? Because they can and because they want to make money. Ma is a Busan native and hit the game winning home run in what is surely the most spectacular game in Lotte Giants history

East Windup Chronicles

This isn't the first time PED accusations have been levelled elsewhere. A few years ago, Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines were the target of such accusations, though it's unknown if any of those were true.

[champain2002]

A different spin and more information from the book:

Thirteen-year KBO veteran Hae-young Ma, who retired from the Lotte Giants last year, has released a memoir called "Yagu Bonsaek," which roughly translates to "The True Colors of Baseball." In his book, the Busan native reveals he witnessed fellow Korean players taking PEDs, and also tipping each other off to pitch selections during games. Ma said, "Whenever a foreign player was seen taking something, a domestic player would go up to the player and ask what he was taking and some would try it out of curiosity." On pitch-tipping, Ma said most domestic players from Korea's system of prep, college and pro baseball are familiar with each other, and would tip off what pitches were coming as favors to their friends. The book is the first of its kind written by a retired Korean athlete.

One past KBO star whose name comes up when the use of steroids is discussed is former Doosan Bears pitcher Daniel Rios. Rios regularly reached double-figure win totals before exploding for a 22-5 record and a 2.07 ERA in his MVP season of 2007. Rios signed with Japan’s Yakult Swallows for 2008, but was released in June of last year upon being suspended by Nippon Professional Baseball after testing positive for anabolic steroids.

World Baseball Today, May 23

Good Timing....

The Korea Baseball Organization has announced it will begin testing its foreign players for banned substances. According to the JoongAng Daily, the KBO did not say when the testing would begin or how often it would take place.

(Same Blog, 16 May)

Edited by champain2002, 25 May 2009 - 12:41 PM.

[champain2002]

Ma softens his tone on Korean players using steroids.

Ma Hae-young has softened his earlier claims of widespread steroid use in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), saying that very few active local players in the (KBO) use performance-enhancing drugs. "User rate for local players is very low. A single-digit (number) of players from all eight clubs use steroids,'' Ma, who works for a sport cable network, Xports, said before a game between the Doosan Bears and Lotte Giants on the same day. Most of those who used it were imported players, although there were a few suspected ones among local players. "I will never name who used the drugs and hope baseball will cut the tie with steroid use.''

The Korea Times

Edit: However, Ma's remarks have caused quite a stir in the KBO. The league started a compulsory drug testing regime in 2007, testing 3 Korean players from each team, a total of 72 players since it began. As a result of this scandal, the KBO will increase the number and frequency of tests in an attempt to test almost all players. (same reference)

Edited by champain2002, 25 May 2009 - 10:36 PM.

[SeoulSoxFan]

Ma softens his tone on Korean players using steroids.

The Korea Times

Edit: However, Ma's remarks have caused quite a stir in the KBO. The league started a compulsory drug testing regime in 2007, testing 3 Korean players from each team, a total of 72 players since it began. As a result of this scandal, the KBO will increase the number and frequency of tests in an attempt to test almost all players. (same reference)

But the Olympics gold is sacred!!!!

The wacky thing in this is that Korea has a very, very tough sentencing for any drug use, casual or not. You hear about peeps getting caught with X, special-k, not to mention pot and just go through hell. However, prescription drugs are a lot easier to get.

I have to say I haven't seen any guys built like Mac who plays in KBO - even Lee Dae-ho looks more like the puff the marshmallow man:

Edited by SeoulSoxFan, 26 May 2009 - 02:37 AM.