by Daniel Gettinger

Edit: In this post, I list Mike Piazza as the “starting catcher.”  As I wrote in the comments, I had completely forgotten that Benito Santiago had been connected to the Balco investigation.  Because Santiago played in seven different seasons for the Padres, while Mike Piazza only played in one, Santiago will henceforth be the starting catcher.

The media never seems to tire from stories about performance enhancing drugs.  I am personally not very interested in these stories, especially those that allege wrongdoings prior to any explicit major league baseball regulations.  But I seem to be in the minority.  Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz have headlined the most recent wave of steroid discussions, and there are sure to be more allegations levied at other superstars in the future.

While I may not be interested in reading about why steroids have ruined the game, or who did what seven years ago, I am entertained by speculation about which Padres have used steroids.  Not in a malicious or judgmental sense, just in a “ha, yeah, that guy was definitely juicing” type of way.

In that spirit, I present to you the infielders on my first (and hopefully only) “Padres All Performance Enhancer Team”…*

*Note: I am not necessarily claiming that these players definitively took steroids, HGH, or any other performance enhancing substance.  Eligibility for this “team” has no specific conditions.  My selections are based on fan speculation, written Reports (The Mitchell Report, as well as media reports-possibly unsubstantiated), dramatic hat size increases, and my own opinion.  This two-part series is intended to be somewhat humorous, and should not be cited in any any serious steroid discussion.

Third Base: Ken Caminiti

Caminiti played for the Padres from 1995-1998.  He won the NL MVP in 1996, and became a fan favorite in the process.  In a 2002 Sports Illustrated cover story, Caminiti admitted to using steroids throughout much of his career, including 1996.  His 2004 death was reportedly the result of a drug overdose.

First Base: Phil Nevin

Acquired from the Angels for infielder Andy Sheets in 1999, Nevin paid immediate dividends for the Padres.  In his first season with the Padres, Nevin tripled his HR total from the year before in less than double the plate appearances.  He hit 24 HR in 1999, 31 HR in 2000, and 41 HR in 2001.

Following the 2001 season, Nevin signed a 4-year, $34M contract extension.  Injuries plagued the rest of his Padres career, as he hit 12, 13, 26, and 16 HR in the four seasons following the extension.  Um, okay?

Runner Up: Wally Joyner who admitted to using PED’s in 2005.

Second Base: Bret Boone

In 1993, at age 23, Boone reached the majors with Seattle.  From that time, through his one year stint with the Padres in 2000, Boone established himself as a pretty decent second basemen.  He had trouble getting on base (1994 was the only season he had an above average on base percentage), but made up for it with power that was good for a second basemen.

In 1998, at age 29, Boone recorded what was then a career high in HR.  He hit 24.  The next two seasons, he hit 20 HR and 19 HR respectively.

Then Boone rejoined Seattle.  His head appeared to grow, and so did his HR totals.  From 2001-2004, Boone’s age 31-35 seasons, he hit 37, 24, 35, and 24 HRs respectively.  Enough said.

Runner Up: Marcus Giles-just because there has been so much speculation.

Shortstop: Gary Sheffield

Yes, I am cheating here.  Sheffield never played shortstop for the Padres.  But he did break into the majors as a shortstop.  Unless there is a large outcry for him to be replaced with someone like Andujar Cedeno, Tony Fernandez, Ricky Gutierrez, Chris Gomez, Damian Jackson, D’Angelo Jimenez, Deivi Cruz or Ramon Vazquez, Sheffield will have to do.

The good thing about Sheffield’s inclusion on this team is that he has admitted to using steroids.  Not knowingly, but using nonetheless.

According to his wikipedia page (perhaps not the most credible citation, but we’ll go with it), Sheffield states in his book that he used the cream, but did not know it contained steroids.  The same admission was supposedly made to a 2003 San Francisco grand jury.  Sheffield is cited in the Mitchell Report as a player who used steroids.

Catcher-Mike Piazza

This one was tough.  Piazza has never admitted to, nor been definitively linked to steroids.  Still, many people, myself included, are highly suspicious.

In his book, The Rocket that Fell to Earth, Jeff Pearlman quotes “former Red Sox first baseman Reggie Jefferson, who says that “everyone” knew Piazza was using steroids…Pearlman also makes reference to Piazza’s ’bulging muscles, [and] his acne-covered back’ in the book.” (NBC New York).

Makes sense to me.  Piazza hit 427 HR, most of which came while playing what is arguably the most strenuous position in baseball.  Such power from the catcher position is unprecedented.  Not bad for player drafted in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft.

Runners Up: Gary Bennett and Jim Leyritz, both of whom have actually admitted (Bennett/Leyritz) to using HGH.

Next up: Outfielders and Pitchers.