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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2009 > August > 13 > Entry
Bronson Arroyo talks drugs, supplements and feeling like a “monster”
In one of the most candid interviews I’ve read from a baseball player in a long time, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo talked to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale about drugs, supplements, vitamins and other things ball players use and said the notion that teams have ever been concerned with anything other than wins, losses and money is absurd.
He noted how the Mark McGwire-led St. Louis Cardinals and Barry Bonds-powered San Francisco Giants sold thousands of seats and won lots of games.
The big story and pictures of Arroyo appear both on the front cover and page 2A of today’s USA Today,
Arroyo is one of my favorite Reds players because he’ll always make time for you, he can talk to you on a myriad of topics and he is candid. Sometimes may a little too candid.
I don’t agree with some of the things he tells Nightengale, but I give Arroyo credit for not trying to dodge the issue or flat out lie like many of the big leaguers have done in the past. He said he quit taking various things when Major League Baseball put them on the banned list.
I’ve got a certain appreciation for Jose Canseco, as well. Sure he is a pumped up peacock, has an ego that dwarfs his bulging, once chemically-infused bicep and brags, but it turns out he was telling the truth when he blew the whistle on baseball players and steroid abuse.
Arroyo’s interview doesn’t quite go down that path, but some of the points Arroyo makes are spot on.
Here are some snippets of his conversation:
— “You think the country really cares about what ballplayers put in their bodies? If we really care, why are we pumping Coca Cola in every kid’s mouth and McDonald’s and Burger King and KFC? That (stuff) is killing people.”
— “I can see where guys like Hank Aaron and some of the old timers have a beef with it. But as far as looking at Manny Ramirez like he’s (serial killer) Ted Bundy, you’re out of your mind. At the end of of the day, you think anybody really cares whether Manny Ramirez’s kidneys fail and he dies at 50?”
— Arroyo said he took androstenedione — made famous by McGwire during his big home run season — from 1998 until it was banned in 2004: “Man, I didn’t think twice about it. I took androstenedione the same way I took my multivitamins. I didn’t really know if this was a genius move by Mark McGwire to cover up the real s—- he was taking, but it made me feel unbelievable. I felt like a monster.”
— “I have a lot of guys (in the locker room) who think I’m out of (my) mind because I’m taking a lot of things not on the (MLB-approved) list. I take 10 to 12 different things a day and on the days I pitch, there’s four more things. There a caffeine drink I take from a company that that (former teammate) Curt Schilling introduced me to in ‘05. I take some Korean ginseng and a few other proteins out there that are not certified. But I haven’t failed any tests, so I figured I’m good.”
— “I think I could have had the same career without andro. The best years of my career have been after they enacted the steroids policy.”
—“I do what I want to do and say what I want to say…I’ve always been honest, I’m not going to stop now.”
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Comments
By gsheist
August 13, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this
hats off to Bronson!i appreciate his candid remarks. they make me believe he is being honest with the public but, more importantly, himself. I’m happy he is wearing a Reds uniform.
By Wayne
August 13, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this
Well, I guess we’ll see Bronson strumming his guitar outside the GABP at every home game once his career is over. He’ll have his “Reds” cap on the ground and for us fans to donate pocket change for his wonderfully skilled guitar playing.
By Mike
August 13, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
Bronson..that knock you hear at the door is Major League Baseball. Remember now..tell the truth..He 32 going on 14.
By Just wondering
August 13, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
How come this story is in USA Today and not in the DDN by its Hall of Fame baseball writer. Or is he too busy having lunch and a cigar to do some real reporting?
By Of course!
August 13, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
Of course Bronson, you had your best years after the steroids were enforced…the hitters you were facing weren’t taking them anymore! Thanks for being honest Bronson, but in the same sense hurting any trade value you have.
By Reds Fan
August 13, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this
Arroyo said it all in his last statement in this article. We should all be up front, honest - especially when in the limelight. It gets difficult with all the trading to recognize my REDS, but I know Arroyo when I see him on the field …and Votto … and a couple of others. Please stay up front, Bronson -and continue to give us fans your all.