Raul Ibanez: Cause For Suspicion?

11 June 2009

New York— Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez is producing numbers that have him on his way to the all-star game and also in MVP candidate discussions.  In this era in Major League Baseball however, the “steroid era,” Ibanez’s performance warrants raised eye-brows.

The 37 year old Ibanez, who has spent most of his career with Seattle, has averaged 23 home-runs per year and only once had a batting average over .300.  He is currently batting .325 and has hit 20 home-runs, which puts him on pace to hit roughly 57 home-runs in the 2009 season.  Anyone with a brain has a right to be suspicious. 

Steroids are a hot topic in sports and the American fan has every right to ask questions when there are drastic changes in behavior and performance among athletes.  For his sake, I truly hope Ibanez is not using steroids or performance enhancing drugs.  I mean, sure guys have improved their game and talents in their late thirties; Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds come to mind.  They never used any illegal substances, right?

Listen, significant changes in behavior should always be called into question.  If your friend who makes fifty grand a year all of sudden shows up driving a Benz, you should ask questions.  If your wife is suddenly obsessed with taking golf lessons from the local pro, you should ask questions and probably call a divorce attorney.  If 37 year old Raul Ibanez goes from 20 to 50 home-runs in a year, you should ask questions.

This is not an accusation and it could be just an anomaly; Ibanez might just be having a fantastic year.  However, no one should shy away from speculation and suspicion of this Philly outfielder careering at the age of thirty-seven.  We have the right to speculate on politics, religion, economics, etc.; we certainly have the right to speculate on professional athletes. 

-Gregory Joss