The HGH Issue

What will we remember about June 6th, 2006?

- Roger Clemens pitching for class A Lexington, with his son Koby playing 3B?
- Eric Gagne recording his 1st save for the Dodgers in nearly 365 days?
- Cole Hamels 1st major league win?
- Melky Cabrera robbing Manny Ramirez of a HR?
- Luke Hochevar being the #1 pick of the 2006 Amateur Draft?

Even with those memorable moments, you still had Jason Schmidt fanning 16 Florida Marlins, Alfonso Soriano hitting his 22nd HR of the season (in another Nats loss) and Felix Hernandez pitching the way we all thought "King Felix" would pitch heading into this year.

And still, all this is overshadowed by the revelation that Jason Grimsley, a relief pitcher, has been the target of a federal investigation concerning illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Grimsley has reportedly admitted that he used human growth hormone, and he also named names in his "extensive statements" about illegal drug use.Though it may take some time, eventually, those names will no longer be a secret.

To me, this illustrates that you can not simply associate steroid use to guys like Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmiero. The use of performance-enhancing drugs goes far deeper than just the guys hitting 500-foot homeruns, despite the common misperception that steroids wouldn't benefit pitchers.

So while it's fun to add an * to every homerun Bonds hits, we're starting to get the sense that Bonds was a cheater in an era of cheaters.

Pauley Want Some Run Support

I heard all day long that the problem with the Red Sox was the pitching, not the hitting. So what do those folks say when David Pauley, making his 2nd MLB start in Yankee Stadium of all places, throws 98 pitches (61 strikes) and holds the Bronx Bombers to only 2 runs over 6 2/3 innings...and loses, 2-1.

Aside from Alex Cora playing Alex Gonzalez, the Red Sox lineup was exactly what it was on Opening Day. You can't say the same thing about the New York Yankees, who were once again without Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, etc...

Still, there's no reason to panic. You never want to lose 4 straight to the Yankees, and they're now 1.5 games behind New York in the AL East, but with 106 games left to play, nothing is decided yet. Heck, with two games remaining in the series, there's a good chance that the AL East standings will look the same on Friday morning as they did on Monday morning.

Tonight's Marquee Matchup

ESPN resumes their coverage of the Sox-Yanks series at 7:05pm, and whenever those two teams square off, it's the top draw of the night. Plus, the Red Sox send their real "ace", Curt Schilling, to the mound against Jaret Wright. That's got to give the Sox fans some hope.

For the people who are sick of this rivalry, you've got some Young vs. Old pitching matchups. Detroit sends Mac's pick for AL Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander to the mound against the White Sox and Jose Contreras, the best pitcher in baseball with a valid AARP card.

Minnesota sends Boof Bonser (love that name) to the mound at Safeco Field against 43-year old Jamie Moyer.

If pitching matchups aren't your thing, there's the possibility that the Reds could sweep the Cardinals and move into a 1st place tie in the NL Central before they start a 10-game homestand.