Jeffress at it again, suspended 100 games; Latest -- Agent Audio Link

[Invader3K]

Right, I had seen that before. While he seems to hint that it was the same issue as before, he doesn't come out and say it.

 

I guess what is done is done. He knew the rules when he came into the league. He has to face the consequence of the choices he has made. I hope the Brewers can somehow still salvage their investment on him, but at the same time I'm not going to somehow feel sorry for him either.

[PeaveyFury]

The prison system is big business and what better inmates to have than a constant flow of non violent stoners?

 

Actually, many states right now are discovering just how huge an albatross the prison system is on state budgets as they desperately try to raise funds, so I don't think your point here is valid at all.

[TheCrew]

Ok, you can google whatever you want to about the addictiveness of pot. I have a...umm...friend (yeah, a friend, that's it) who smoked pot every day his sophomore year of college. He also smoked cigarettes. One day, this person woke up and realized that he hadn't smoked weed in a couple of days. This revelation caused him to re-evaluate things. This person has never smoked weed again, and has never had a moment when he craved weed. Not even once. After 13 years of smoking cigarettes, and 5 separate attempts using different methods, this person quit smoking in February, (using the patch). To this day, he still has cravings for cigarrettes.

 

Basically he quit smoking weed almost as an afterthought. It took no effort, and he experienced no cravings. All it took was a decision to not smoke it any more. The same person said that quitting cigarettes was easily the single most difficult thing he has ever done. 2 days without a cigarette and he had trouble sleeping. 3 days and it was an almost unbearable compulsion to smoke. the patch only worked because it put enough nicotine into his system to dull the cravings to the tolerable level. Still agonizing, but tolerable enough to not smoke.

 

What I am saying is that a career as a professional baseball player should easily be enough motivation for someone to quit marijuana no matter how many web sites you can find that say it is addictive. I know from experience, (um, my friend's experience that is) that marijuana is not even remotely as difficult to quit than smoking cigarettes. If he is unwilling to stay sober long enough to become a major league pitcher and make millions of dollars, he shouldn't have that opportunity. If he is unwilling to put forth the small ammount of effort it takes to quit smoking weed, how much effort do you think he is going to be willing to put into learning how to throw his fastball for strikes? Or into learning how to throw a changeup?

So you think your experience (I mean your friends) encompasses how everyone will interact with the aforementioned drugs? Plus you had one addiction to aid you through qutting a different one.

 

Think about it this way, millions of people have had a drink this past week - the vast majority don't abuse it, aren't alcoholics and if there was a reason for them to never drink again - they wouldn't. However, there are some that can't control it, abuse it and let it destroy their lives. Try and understand that each person reacts differently - go read the quote I posted on the last page again. It's not always about the substance, it has just as much - if not more - to do with the person.

 

If it's affected his life this much and he still can't stop..... that's textbook addiction.

 

I think some people misinterpret that as people making an excuse for him - it's not - he royally screwed up and he needs to recognize that and get help.

[SeriesFinale]

If you are one who thinks Jeremy has been treated unfairly, think about this: how would you like to go to the plate with your future depending on it, facing a 100 mph pitcher who may be stoned? I certainly wouldn't.

I wouldn't want to face one drunk, either, and we know there is alcohol in most clubhouses.

 

This also assumes he's pitching stoned. I have a few beers after work every so often, drink a bottle of wine with my wife on weekends, and yeah, a puff now and again, but I don't do it when I have other responsibilities (driving, work, whatever), and most people don't.

 

Again, this is silly to me. I agree that Jeffress is an idiot for even chancing it knowing what the rules are, but the rule itself is specious to me, and I think that's a fair statement to make in this conversation--it's not "besides the point."

[LouisEly]

MLB really needs to lighten up on the marijana issue and not link it in the substance abuse poliy(I think weed shouldn't be considered as bad as steroids and PED's) . We all know marijana isn't a bad drug, a harmful drug and is actually 10x safer than alcohol but it is just something that is fowned upon in our American culture.

 

I agree whole-heartedly that steriods/PEDs should be punished much more severely than marijuana. I disagree with the second statement though - it has been shown that most people who have problems with drugs much more severe than marijuana (cocaine, heroin, etc.) started with marijuana, and when the high of marijuana (or the lure of making money from selling it) wasn't good enough for them anymore they moved on to bigger and more dangerous things. Also, having one alcoholic drink per day has generally been proven by medicine to be beneficial for most people (ask any doctor), especially if it is red wine, so alcohol is just as safe as marijuana if not moreso.

 

Whether the tests are right or wrong is irrelevant. Jeffress knew that by smoking grass, he risked losing his job. I can accept the first mistake, but the second time around is just plain stupidity.

 

I lose my job if I test positive for marijuana. Whether right or wrong, employers have the right to set their own rules, and if you don't like those rules then you don't work there.

 

The addiction isn't what kills... what kills tons of people I know is that it destroys your ambition and makes you content to settle for a life that's less than the kind of life you had once aspired to lead.

 

Amen.

[jackalope02ca]

"You never release a 21 year old or younger who throws 100 mph with a nasty breaking ball over smoking weed. I could list about 29 teams that would claim him in a heart beat."

 

 

And what's your point? He'd then be someone else's problem.

[PeaveyFury]

And what's your point? He'd then be someone else's problem.

 

His point is probably that if the suspension actually causes him to wake up and realize what he's doing to his career, he's throwing 100 mph with a nasty breaking ball in someone else's organization, while NOT being a problem for them.

[TooLiveBrew]

His point is that, beyond the fact that at this point you have no choice but to hope Jeffress gets his act together, you have a lot of money invested in him for good reason. The stuff is legit, and you don't cut him loose for nothing. The Brewers have nothing left to lose at this point, as Jeffress will be cut loose for nothing with one more failed test.

 

What irks me about Jeffress's lack of judgment is that anything can end him now. I know I'm inclined to call 'bull' when players say their positive test results were due to some mistake or some technicality, but I'm sure there have been & will continue to be cases where positive test results may be flawed. How you take away any wiggle room you may need is just beyond me.

[Never Outhustled]

And what's your point? He'd then be someone else's problem.

And how did that turn out for Tampa? They got nothing for Josh Hamilton. Cinci picked him up, let him mature, then traded him for Edison Volquez. Great move for Cinci, fruitless move for Tampa.

 

I am incredibly disappointed in Jeffress, but I'm not ready to condemn for life a 21 year old.

[jackalope02ca]

His point is probably that if the suspension actually causes him to wake up and realize what he's doing to his career, he's throwing 100 mph with a nasty breaking ball in someone else's organization, while NOT being a problem for them.

 

My point is he likely never will. And if he ever does it will be several years from now with another organization anyways. What kind of example does this set for the rest of our legitmate prospects? If he was going to figure it out he would have the 1st time. Unless I'm wrong this is technically his 3rd offense already. Didn't the Brewers catch him on there own as well? This is the one case where I couldn't care less if he caught on with another team and made it. He's not much of an example for kid's to look up to. What am I supposed to do if he's up with the Brewers someday. Lean over to my kids and say quit cheering for our team for a minute while this idiot pitches? Not the type of conversation I want to be having at a ballpark.

[mkm13]

I have never smoked weed in my life, and I may be more against it than anyone I know...but some people are overreacting here. It could be worse, he could have blown out his arm or have been caught with performance enhancing drugs. A lot of people do it (including athletes), the big issue with this I guess is that he knew he was already caught one time, so that certainly does not show that he is a very smart person. Lets hope he takes this time to clear his head and get rid of his smoking problem. He is still VERY YOUNG. He still has A LOT of potential. I don't really care how much "trade value" he has. Sure this might slow his development some, but I don't want the brewers to trade him anyways. The brewers need as many young pitchers as possible. I really hope he can get over his problems and doesn't blow a huge opportunity with his great talent.

[DonMoney4Mgr]

I personally am sick about this. Here we are an small market team with four #5 starters on our major league roster just yearning to have some young pitching studs rise through our system quickly so we can have playoff caliber pitching and hitting simultaneously. Before the year started, I penciled Jeffress in as a starter next year. Not that it was ever clear, but the rotation over the next few years looks even more bleak than I originally thought. The Soup and Loop types will prevail and we could miss our best window of opportunity since the early 80's.

[PeaveyFury]

My point is he likely never will.

 

Josh Hamilton looked like even more of a lost cause, and Tampa is probably sick over not having him in their lineup right now.

 

What kind of example does this set for the rest of our legitmate prospects?

 

He's forced to sit out the rest of this season and part of 2010- I'd hope that sets enough of an example for his teammates.

[UeckerAddict]

His point is probably that if the suspension actually causes him to wake up and realize what he's doing to his career, he's throwing 100 mph with a nasty breaking ball in someone else's organization, while NOT being a problem for them.

 

My point is he likely never will. And if he ever does it will be several years from now with another organization anyways. What kind of example does this set for the rest of our legitmate prospects? If he was going to figure it out he would have the 1st time. Unless I'm wrong this is technically his 3rd offense already. Didn't the Brewers catch him on there own as well? This is the one case where I couldn't care less if he caught on with another team and made it. He's not much of an example for kid's to look up to. What am I supposed to do if he's up with the Brewers someday. Lean over to my kids and say quit cheering for our team for a minute while this idiot pitches? Not the type of conversation I want to be having at a ballpark.You could do that for a million players:

 

Paul Molitor: Cocaine

Josh Hamilton: Crack

Brett Myers: Spousal Abuse

Mike Cameron: Amphetamines

A million players (including A Brewer last year- Gagne): Performance Enhancing Drugs

Sexson, Furcal, etc.: DUIs

Plenty of players: Alcoholism

 

etc. etc. etc.

 

How much can you judge before you give people a chance to reform themselves? I like to think that people gave me a chance to reform myself and it worked out, thanks to that opportunity. And when I think of the worst thing I've ever done, it goes far beyond weed. I'm in no position to cast the first stone.

[dlk9s]

On the JSOnline's sports blogs page, the description of the Brewers blog is:

 

"The Journal Sentinel sports staff brings fans the latest news and inside dope on the Brewers."

 

Classic.

[jackalope02ca]

Brett Myers: Spousal Abuse

 

You've got a point here. I still can't believe his teammates didn't force management to get rid of him. That's about as low as it gets.

[nate82]

If you are one who thinks Jeremy has been treated unfairly, think about this: how would you like to go to the plate with your future depending on it, facing a 100 mph pitcher who may be stoned? I certainly wouldn't. This certainly helps explain the lack of control this year. I wish him the best but expect nothing from now on.

Think about this for a moment. Would you want to come up to the plate while Babe Ruth was drunk? Would you have liked to be on the pitchers mound with Ruth drunk? There was also another player who pitched a no hitter while on drugs can't remember the name right now. Plus there is no evidence that supports Jeffress was on the mound and stoned.

 

People get worked up about these things but yet make heroes out of players like Ruth and Gooden. Babe Ruth was a known to drink before, during, and after games. I don't see the difference between someone smoking weed or being an alcoholic. Both are addictive I can drink and drink and drink alcohol all I want but I can go months or longer without taking a drink. One of my friends who is an alcoholic can't even drink one beer and he then he is back again to drinking every day. Every person is different in their addictions some people get addicted to things very easily. There are all different kinds of addictions some are very silly like googling diseases every day and every minute of the day some addictions like video games ruin lives and have even killed some people. Anything and everything can become an addiction it just depends on the person. Comparing yourself or someone else to another person is not fair to do. You don't know Jeffress you may think you do but you don't so don't make conclusions of what you don't have a clue about.

[YoungGeezy]

jackalope, this is no different than Brett Favre being addicted to pain pills. Someday Im not going to tell my kid not to like Favre because he had problems and an addiction. Weed is no worse than pain pills and if it was that bad they wouldn't give it out as medication to those who need it (in some states). Cut the kid some slack, everyone makes mistakes and some make more than others. I have made many and eventually I learned from them. You can't cast off a 21 year old for making a few mistakes definitly if it's only weed.... there are far worse drugs that are more addicting and really and mess up your life.

 

WVbree I wouldn't be to nervous with him being high pitching to. So the guy is a little more calm and focused on the mound. Much better than a drunk or on pcp or something. Plus I doubt he was getting high before games in the first place I bet he did while he was bored chillin in his hotel room. I'm not supporting him smoking but the way you make it sound is as if he is the worse kid in the world and that's not the case, just a immuture 21 year old who needs to grow up. I hope he does and he figures it out and does help out the brewers in the future.

[endaround]

Yes if this was about health issues instead of grandstanding chew would be against the rules of MiLB. That said, Jeffress has gotten warnings about this, was suspended about this and was caught again. While many his age are using to no consequence, he can't and still has. At this point he looks to be a bust for non-baseball reasons which is sad. Now we can argue about the stupidity of a three strikes system (not sure how taking away a guy's work helps) but the rules aren't changing.

[Team Canada]

All of the rants of how safe and harmless pot is and how it should be legalized are a little silly and quite irrelevant to the situation. MiLB has rules, and Jeffress is either too stupid or too addicted to stick to the rules. I sure hope he either wisens up or gets the help he needs while he's out, it'd be a darn shame and a waste of talent.

[dragoon84]

All of the rants of how safe and harmless pot is and how it should be legalized are a little silly and quite irrelevant to the situation. MiLB has rules, and Jeffress is either too stupid or too addicted to stick to the rules. I sure hope he either wisens up or gets the help he needs while he's out, it'd be a darn shame and a waste of talent.

These "rants" are not silly or irrelevant, they are quite serious, this is a serious topic, because there are MANY people in jail for nothing else but simple possession, or selling it, or whatever. Some laws are meant to be broken, just as Alcohol Prohibition was unjust and unrealistic, so is Cannabis Prohibition, except Cannabis Prohibition has been going on for 70 years and is far more crazy. Who the hell gets to tell me or anyone else that I can't put cannabis in my body? Coke and Heroin, sure, those are demonstrably bad for you, addictive, and WILL ruin your life, but weed? Weed? If weed ruined your life, there wasn't much there to start with.

 

The only thing foolish about this entire debate is the energy spent by the anti-drug side to imprison, harass, and badger anyone who gets their rocks' off differently from the mainstream alcohol culture.

 

Saying cannabis should be illegal is like saying God made a mistake when it made the Earth. "Woops! I just left all that pot lying around, growing big and beautiful buds. Hmm what should I do, what should I do?"

 

"I know! I'll create Republicans now, to offset my mistake!"

 

Anyways, this is a debate this country needs to have. We make the safest drug illegal, while promoting tobacco and alcohol as the "acceptable" drugs of choice. The proof is the in the pudding, how many people died last year because of chronic tobacco and alcohol use?

 

Now how many people, in the last 10,000 years, have died from chronic cannabis use?

 

The answer is 0.

[1992casey]

Sometimes it's hard to separate politics from the topic at hand. That's understandable; there are times when board politics guidelines need to flex a bit.

 

However, the well written post directly above should have used something other than "I know! I'll create Republicans now, to offset my mistake!" to make its point.

[BCZF]

If I go to work high, I no longer work.. no different.. In fact, MiLB is more lenient.

[Ayt]

What am I supposed to do if he's up with the Brewers someday. Lean over to my kids and say quit cheering for our team for a minute while this idiot pitches? Not the type of conversation I want to be having at a ballpark.

If he's in the majors that means he got his [language edited by mod] together. Wouldn't that make him an example of someone overcoming a personal problem and succeeding in a very competitive field?

 

 

(edits: language and nested quote --1992)

[valpocrewsader]

Also, upon his return, he should be developed as a relief pitcher

+1. This was my first thought, too. When he gets back, just try to fast track him as a closer or 8th inning guy. Grooming him into a MLB ready starter will take longer than we'd want to wait with this ticking timebomb. Get him up before it's too late.