Jose Guillen has been suspended for the first 15 days of the 2008 season for violating baseball’s drug policy. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Guillen purchased almost $20,000 worth of steroids and human growth hormone between 2003-2005. Baseball began steroid testing in 2003, and penalties for violations of the drug policy were instituted in 2005.
Guillen Is Suspended and Signs a $36 Million Contract With the Royals
Guillen spent 2007 with the Seattle Mariners, batting .290 with 23 home runs, 99 RBIs, and a .460 slugging average. On December 6, a few hours before Guillen’s suspension was announced, the Kansas City Royals and Guillen completed a $36 million, three-year deal. General manager Dayton Moore said that the Royals were convinced that Jose would put “this” behind him and that they support him in the new chapter of his baseball life.
Did Guillen Use What He Received?
It is possible that Jose Guillen bought steroids and human growth hormone and never used them. It is also possible that he bought them and used them. Since he is being suspended, Major League Baseball believes that Guillen used what he bought, although the suspension is for receiving, not using, performance enhancing substances. Signing Guillen to a $36 million contract does seem to contradict principles of reward and punishment as well as raising questions about Major League Baseball’s sincerity in “cleaning up the game.”
Compared to Clemente
Jose Guillen was a 20-year-old rookie in 1997 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Guillen had a rifle arm, was extremely fast, and hit with power. He was compared to Roberto Clemente, which was like comparing gourmet ice cream to the fat free variety. Guillen had attitude problems, was demoted to the minors, and was traded to Tampa Bay in July 1999.
Fifty Two Home Runs in Six Seasons
Guillen hit .267 with 14 home runs in each of his two seasons with the Pirates. In 1999, he hit a combined .253 with 3 home runs. From 1997-2002, Guillen hit a total of 52 home runs. In 2003, he suddenly found himself and hit a combined 31 home runs for Cincinnati and Oakland, which was followed by 27 in 2004 with the Angels, 24 in 2005 with Washington, 9 in 241 at bats with Washington in 2006, and 23 in 2006. Simple arithmetic reveals that from 2003-2007, Guillen hit 114 home runs, including his partial 2006 season compared to 52 in during his first 6 seasons. He received steroids and human growth hormone between 2003-2005.
What Caused the Power Increase?
The Kansas City Royals must answer a question, “What caused the increase in Jose Guillen’s power?” He might have matured, which means that the Royals signed a fine player. But if there is a link between Jose Guillen’s power production and his receiving performance enhancing drugs, then the Royals might have a problem. Did Guillen use the drugs he received and that is why his production increased? If he never used them, that is fine, but if he did use them, and certainly the Royals and baseball will make every effort to ensure that the fans don’t pay to see players who cheat, then for what did the Royals spend $36 million”? An outfielder who hits .260 with 12 home runs?
References:
Jose Guillen at Baseball Library
Harold Friend - I became a science teacher because I couldn't throw a curve ball or hit one. On a warm September day in 1951, I came home from school ...
