Report: Ryan Howard and Ryan Zimmerman linked to doping ring
An Al-Jazeera investigative report that alleges an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic supplied Peyton Manning with human growth hormone, also includes the name of three major league players.
According to the Huffington Post, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, Washington Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman and free-agent catcher Taylor Teagarden obtained performance-enhancing drugs from the Guyer Institute in Indiana. The pharmacist, a man named Charlie Sly, says the clinic mailed HGH and other drugs to several athletes, including the three mentioned MLB players, dating back to 2011.
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The report, titled “The Dark Side,” was the result of an investigation in which British hurdler Liam Collins went undercover in an attempt to expose the widespread nature of performance-enhancing drugs globally.
The headliner in the report is obviously Manning, The report alleges the clinic sent growth hormone and other drugs to Ashley Manning, Manning’s wife, to help Manning recover from 2011 neck surgery. But the inclusion of the three players is notable as well.
Of note, Howard, then 32, suffered a torn Achilles on the final out of the 2011 NLDS. That would put his recovery timeline in line with that of Manning’s. Zimmerman, 31, has dealt with a barrage of injuries over the years, including to his wrist and shoulder. Those ailments date back to 2011, putting his recovery time on the same track as well. That could lend some credence to their names showing up on documents around the same time as Manning’s.
In the report, it says Howard and Zimmerman denied using the drugs when approached by Al-Jazeera. As for Taylor Teagarden, who most recently spent time with the Chicago Cubs during the 2015 season, the report says he appeared in one of the undercover videos and openly discussed his use of performance-enhancing drugs during a prior season. Assuming that video is part of the report set to air on Sunday, that would make it impossible to deny.
As for potential punishments, Major League Baseball implemented expanded testing for human growth hormone during the 2013 season, including random and unannounced in-season blood tests for HGH and baseline testosterone readings that are used to detect the use of synthetic testosterone. These allegations seem to predate that expanded testing, and with no positive tests against them, there might be little recourse for action.
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Still, their names being linked to this report should lead to some interesting conversation in baseball circiles. Especially so if it turns out to be true.
Stay tuned to this story, it’s just getting started.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
