Dagnabbit those Performance Enhancing Drug Users || Betts is now a Permanant Shortstop || Indian Wells. What's happeninng?
Edition #62
We’re not focusing on one story today. Going back to the old Sports Square format. Just for this post because. This post was released on the weekend.
Dagnabbit those Performance Enhancing Drug Users
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Noelvi Marte.
There are a few more people in between this list who have been suspended for using PEDs, but nothing quite like Tatis & Marte (3-year period).
Let’s talk about Tatis.
Last season? This guy was booed out of every stadium, called a cheater, fraud, and anything that meant or was similar to a cheater. Heck, I went to my first-ever baseball game this summer. It was an Oakland Athletics game. I chose the A’s because I wanted to see how bad the stadium, players, fans, view, etc. really was.
To be honest? For my first baseball game? I loved it! But, let’s not get completely backtracked here.
I booed Tatis. And don’t call me out for this. I was cheering for the A’s. For the first time in my life. (Only because they were facing the Dodgers division rivals.) Plus, Tatis is an AMAZING player. I acted a bit… sadistic, but in my every defense, I’m a Dodgers fan!
Now let’s move on to Marte. Noelvi Marte.
This was a guy I didn’t even think would use PED’s. This was a guy, I believed was innocent, a star, and crazy at ball.
I was completely wrong.
Major League Baseball announced Friday, that Noelvi Marte has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a PED.
This guy is 22 years old. He debuted for Cincinnati last year. He was supposed to be a big part of this team’s young core. The Reds were poised for a BIG win in the NL Central.
Now?
Gone for half the dang season.
"The Reds fully support Major League Baseball's drug policy and its penalties," the team said in a statement. "We will have no further comment."
Will it matter? No. The Reds have a lot of infield depth. Had this not happened, Jonathan India (old main player for the Reds) would still be on the bench. He’s back again, and many others like Spencer Steer, Elly De La Cruz, and/or Jeimer Candelario will get to play 3rd.
Betts is now a Permanant Shortstop
Smayan. Are you sure you’re getting your facts right?
Mookie Betts is a 2nd baseman.
Guys. I’m getting my facts right. This one surprised me a bit too much too.
Mookie Betts in right field is what I imagine Mookie Betts.
Mookie Betts at 2nd base. To some extent, that’s okay.
Mookie Betts at shortstop is just completely wrong.
After the billion-dollar offseason, no one would have ever thought that the Dodgers would do something else that isn’t as big as a move.
They did. I mean, they did do a move. They moved Mookie Betts from 2nd to shortstop and Gavin Lux from shortstop to 2nd.
But why?
In his 2 chances this spring, he airmailed his first throw to first baseman Kevin Padlo on February 28, and after that? It appeared that the ball bounced after each throw.
The last time this happened? When he was a top prospect. They had to do so much training.
“He was feeling the toll of it,” Roberts said, alluding to the mental aspect of Lux’s throwing woes. In a matter of six spring training games and just 10 defensive chances, the organization has pulled the plug. With less than two weeks before the start of the season, Roberts said, they didn’t have much choice.
“The calendar, where we’re at, we got to make a decision,” Roberts said. “I think right now that’s best for the Dodgers.”
I’ve never been a Lux fan, but instead of talking about this. Talk about the stuff Mookie Betts is doing.
Yeah. You’re completely right man. I don’t see Ronald Acuña Jr. flexing his skills at shortstop. Neither does Juan Soto. Or Aaron Judge (who called this move selfless). Mookie Betts IS the best player in the MLB.
Indian Wells. What’s happening?
One of my friends has gone to watch the tournament live. I’m actually super jealous, but the truth is, I’ve never watched many people play tennis. Other than the classics. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (my personal favorite), Novak Djokovic (I HATE THIS GUY), Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios (I love his attitude. I use this all the time when arguing with the umpires in baseball.), Stefanos Tsitsipas, etc. I can’t name ALL of them here. What I’m trying to say is. I don’t watch randos.
So. What’s happening? I mean, when Djokovic is playing, it’s always pretty interesting. Let me draw up a few stories.
Nadal Withdraws…
2 Upsets
Interesting Matchup (Round 3)
Interesting Stuff
https://deadspin.com/atp-roundup-novak-djokovic-escapes-major-upset-at-indi-1851323401
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1875680/Emma-Raducanu-Indian-Wells-gaffe
Conclusion
You’re gonna give us an intro, but no conclusion?
Yes.
Hope you liked this one. Few unbelievable stories.
I’ll see ya tomorrow.
Trying Something Out
I'm currently writing an article on Marte's suspension and I feel like he has lost a ton of his potential now. Also, your supposed to be a Dodgers fan, you seem like Betts at short is the worst thing to ever happen. I personally think it's a good move. Then you talk about his 2 errors in Spring Training. You have to realize that this is Spring Training, their arms are still getting back into the habit of throwing every day and remember it's not like he has played short/2nd his whole career. He is used to throwing far. We all make errors, no matter if your a little leaguer, travel player (me), high school player, college player, or in the big leagues.