Spoken to them?
I have not seen the report.
Heard about it?
Yes I have. I have spoken with him and spoken with Mark Newman in our office. I understand there was an article written in the paper about he and Nova in the paper. That’s as far as I’ve gotten. I don’t know much more about it.
Concerned about what’s going on the clubhouse?
Absolutely. There have been some injuries in the clubhouse. If that was the case, and I don’t think that was the case, or is the case, I would be pretty unnerved by it. I was shocked when I heard there was an article written. I just don’t believe it. In my opinion, I just don’t think it happened. This is a wonderful kid. He’s been nothing but professional since I’ve had him here. Outstanding guy. I just don’t believe it happened.
[Relayed to Tony that he didn't].
Where did the report come from?
I have no idea. It absolutely floored me. I feel bad for he and Nova that this report came about. In my opinion, I just don’t think it happened.
What if it did?
There’s no what ifs.
Would you feel the same way?
Yes, I would. I’d feel terrible for them for whatever reason. Whether it be positive or negative, true or false, I’d feel bad for both of those guys, simply because I think they’re both fine young men. I enjoyed having Nova when he was here. I certainly enjoy having Wilkin here. I am in complete shock that this article came about.
If one of them came to Tim and said, “I want some extra B-12, is that OK?”
Come on.
It’s not illegal?
I don’t think you guys are giving these two kids enough credit. I think they understand the parameters of what is to be taken and what isn’t to be taken. They have the all the information that they need to stay clean. I don’t think they would come to me or Tim and ask if they could take extra B-12. It’s fine, that’s legal. I’m sure they’re aware that there’s a lot of stuff over the counter that could lead to a suspension of 50 games or more. For that reason, I think they would be very careful about what they put in their bodies. We have enough education now to know that whenever you’re going to take some type of supplement, that you would check with someone first. They certainly wouldn’t come to me. What do I know about it, other than to tell them to be careful.
Get a presentation before every year?
Absolutely. There’s education out there now. People come out here and talk to us. They are aware of the consequences.
Was he upset?
Absolutely. I was upset for him. It crushed the kid. Whether it’s true or not, the allegation is out there. Once the allegation is out there, you can’t bring it back. That stigma could stick with him for a very long time, even if it’s proven false. That’s what harmful. The person who wrote the article, I don’t know his source and I don’t if it’s true or not, but the fact of the matter is that the allegation is out there. Now, how are you going to get that back? You can’t, and it’s very damaging. Nova is very young at the major league level, and De La Rosa is very young in his career, and they have to face these types of allegations? That’s tough. I’d be upset if I was him.
Follow him his whole career?
It could. I hope it doesn’t. I hope everything
I’m sure he didn’t sleep very well. It’s very harmful. I hope everything is totally inaccurate and false, and it’s cleared up, and I hope these guys are left alone so they can continue to play baseball.
Address the team about De La?
I didn’t address the team. We talked about the situation in private.
[Tim would've come to Tony if he knew something].
This business of PEDs is very serious. When you start talking about testing for human growth hormone — which they’re starting to test for — this is a very scary thing to me. It’s a scary and serious time in baseball, and I think players are well aware of that, and will take every precaution to ensure that they are well within the guidelines of what baseball is all about, and that’s cleaning up the sport.
