Report: Gibbons linked to drug probe, By: Barry M. Bloom

Orioles outfielder reportedly received shipments of HGH

9/9/07

PHOENIX -- In the ever-widening probe of illicit sales of performance-enhancing drugs via pharmacies doing business on the Internet, Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons now has been tied to the controversy, SI.com reported on its Web site on Sunday.

The news comes two days after Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus and Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel were reportedly ensnared in the investigation, having been conducted the last two years through the Albany, N.Y., District Attorney's office. All three allegedly purchased performance-enhancing drugs through Signature Pharmacy, which is based in Orlando, Fla.

In the latest report, SI.com said that Gibbons had received "six separate shipments of Genotropin (a brand name for synthetic human growth hormone), two shipments of testosterone and two shipments of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone produced naturally during pregnancy, but taken by anabolic steroid users to stimulate the production of testosterone" from October 2003 to July 2005.

On Friday, SI.com reported that Glaus, the 2002 World Series MVP when he played for the Angels, received multiple shipments of Nandrolone -- an anabolic steroid -- and testosterone at an address that corresponds with his California address. Earlier that day, the New York Daily News reported that Ankiel had received shipments of HGH in his name at a Florida clinic in 2004.

Ankiel wouldn't deny the allegations, saying only that he had used drugs prescribed by his doctor during his recovery from Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his left elbow in 2003. Glaus has declined comment. SI.com reported that Gibbons, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 13 with a right labrum tear, didn't respond to messages left on his cell phone and with the Orioles' media relations department.

SI.com also reported that, like Ankiel and Glaus, Gibbons' name appeared on a Signature Pharmacy client list. The Web site said that the prescriptions were written in Gibbons' name and that the drugs were sent to a Gilbert, Ariz., address that corresponds with the player.

In all three cases, no charges have been brought against the players and there has been no proof that any of the players used the drugs after receiving them.

Testosterone and many anabolic steroids were banned by Major League Baseball in 2003 when drug testing began at the big league level on a survey basis only. HGH was placed on the list in 2005 when the drug policy was expanded, and punitive penalties went into effect for a player testing positive for the first time.

An MLB official said on Friday that the Commissioner's office was investigating the allegations reported about Glaus and Ankiel. Gibbons presumably has now been added to that list.