Ibanez Has Beef

Raul Ibanez is 37 years old, and having the best year of his career. Unfortunately we live in an age, especially in baseball, where the validity of any above average performance is questioned.

One blogger has done a very in-depth analysis of Ibanez's season, and why he is having so much success. He didn't come to any definite conclusion, so he mentions the "S" word. I don't think the blogger is making an accusation, I think he's just saying that it has to remain a possibility. This situation is much like what Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander found himself in when he wrote a similar piece about Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot. Niether writer actually made an accusation, but I think the point they were trying to make was that it's a shame we can't rule out steroids.

Ibanez, on the other hand, didn't appreciate the sentiments. According to this ESPN article, Ibanez may go so far as to pursue legal action against the blogger. "I'll come after people who defame or slander me," he said. Personally, I don't think he has any business suing this guy, because he wasn't actually accused of anything. It is refreshing to me that Ibanez is more than willing to provide anything to testers to clear his name.

I reiterate, Ibanez is not being accused of anything.

Now, to defend the blogger.

As a blogger, I don't claim to have any sort of journalistic credentials, but I do claim my first amendment rights to free speech. There's a difference between accusing someone of using steroids, and saying that it's a shame that steroids can't be ruled out. I think this blogger should have clarified that he wasn't accusing Raul Ibanez of using steroids, rather he was merely pointing out that there might be speculation.