Jose Canseco actually appeared like the one who came on top during the release of the Mitchel report on steroids and HGH in baseball. Conseco was on of the first to be recognized as a big steroid user and his book “Juiced” implicated both Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi who both used some enhancing product. His second book, set to be titled “Vindicated” and tod be published March 31, 2008, is supposed to mention more names and even more details.
However Jose Canseco could become the next Senator Joseph McCarthy. For those who do not know who Joseph McCarthy is, he was a Senator from Wisconsin during the late 1940s and his rise to fame came from his push that there were Communist and Soviet spies who had infiltrated many government organizations. He also claimed to have a list of names which he presented but was never able to provide substantial proof which resulted in him being discredited and censured by the United States Senate. This finally led to his downfall and loss of respect by colleagues.
I say Jose Canseco could be the next Joseph McCarthy because the state of baseball has essentially become a two group faction of athletes who work hard to get where they are and those that use some enhancing product that is deemed illegal to league rules. Jose Canseco and his books are essentially a list of names and details of athletes that possibly have used steroids, HGH, or other enhancing products. It is hard for Conseco to prove these details and accusations in his book and we all know they guy does not care about respect from his teammates or friends.
What really shows Canseco selfish personality and ability to take advantage of the situation is the article in New York Times of Canseco offering to keep former teammate Magglio Ordonez out of his upcoming book if Ordonez invested in a movie project promoted by Canseco. Of course Canseco avidly denies that he or any of his lackies asked for the money. He is not stupid enough to ask directly for money but I am sure the hint was dropped to Ordonez and shows how far Canseco can drop in morals.
The Times also reported that the issue was forwarded to the FBI but Ordonez did not go forward with the matter. Ordonez is quoted as saying “I didn’t want to press charges against him,” and “I don’t want any problems. He is probably desperate for money. I don’t understand why he is trying to put people down.”
I would never buy the book and those people who do are stupid. Just let ESPN release an article mentioning who he mentioned. Don’t support this scum bag by buying his book and know that baseball will eventually find a way to get over this situation.