Toronto Blue Jays: Chris Colabello Still Confused by Positive Test
By Paul Taylor
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Chris Colabello is still asking for answers as to why exactly he tested positive for using Turinabol, but is his stance believable or just a case of public posturing?
When Toronto Blue Jays‘ first baseman Chris Colabello was suspended for 80 games, there were a lot of disappointed staff, players and fans. People felt letdown, especially after being excited by his success last year.
For others, the positive test provided rationale for Colabello’s surprising batting line from the 2015 campaign. They argued this was further backed up by his poor start this season, without the aid of performance-enhancing drugs.
However, if you believed that was the end of it, think again. As reported by Fox Sport‘s Ken Rosenthal, the 32-year old is refusing to accept the punishment without a fight.
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Last week, Colabello’s agent Brian Charles organized a conference call with doctors, scientists and molecular biologists who are experts on steroid testing. Philadelphia Phillies’ reliever Daniel Stumpf and former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir also participated.
All three athletes involved were found to be using Turinabol, which is a banned anabolic steroid. The question is, was this conference call arranged due to genuine confusion over the positive results, or just a calculated attempt to get people back on their side?
Understandably, it’s tough to believe anything professional players say these days in respect of PEDs, when you consider how many have blatantly lied in recent years. However, it is worth noting that rather than disputing the results, the athletes in question are just looking to understand how exactly the banned substance entered their systems?
As Colabello told Rosenthal and the rest of the assembled media at the conference call: “I am the only one who knows what I did and didn’t do…So, I have to go and find that proof, not just for me, but for every member of our league.
“This is way bigger than Chris Colabello, because if this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. I’m working toward finding answers and won’t stop until I do.”
Stumpf stressed that he does not take any supplements. The only thing he knowingly ingests is fish oil, which is provided to him by the Phillies to help with his cholesterol levels.
Stumpf said: “The part that scares me the most is that I don’t know what to change for this not to happen again. I have no clue – I am as lost as I was when I started.”
Both MLB players admitted this whole situation has been extremely emotional for them. Colabello said “It’s killing me,” while Stumpf talked about how he has struggled to sleep.
The Major League Baseball players association also find the positive tests for Turinabol puzzling. Tony Clark, the head of the Union, said: “We are always concerned when a player finds himself in violation of the joint drug agreement.
“As a result, we concentrate considerable staff and time on working through all of the related issues. Whether during the process or after the process, our resolve to finding answers doesn’t change, particularly when there may be questions still left unanswered.”
A lot of people will still see this whole situation as public posturing by players unable to admit they got caught fair and square. For those of us who are more objective, we wait to see if there was anything fair about it whatsoever.
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What do you make of Colabello’s latest thoughts? Do you believe him, or find it tough to trust anything players say these days in respect of positive drug tests? Let us know in the comments section below.