Brady Anderson, Steroids? Nah

Jim Palmer seems to think Brady Anderson was juicing in 1996 when the sideburned one hit 50 home runs.

"I like Brady, and it doesn't mean he's a bad guy because he took steroids," Palmer said in the interview, which was taped Saturday. "But I'm sure he wanted to enhance his performance." (ESPN)

Could it be that Mr. Palmer fears that Brady could beat him in a best-looking Oriole contest? Just a theory.

Click links for popup images and judge for yourself.

Comments

[Alex]

Brady was absolutely juicing in 1996. Look at him, he came into camp 35 lbs heavier, all muscle, he had a season that blew everyone away, signed a huge contract, then started getting injured, pulling muscles his body never intended him to have. He stopped juicing and became the same old sub par player he was pre 1996, but he had 1996 dollars rolling in.

[d paugh]

ABSOLUTELY WAS!!!!!1

[Daddy]

You're an idiot if you think Brady wasn't juicing in '96!!

[Jeff]

It was a tongue-in-check comment, daddy. He was definitely shooting something up that season.

[Alex]

Brady Anderson is the definition of obvious steroid use. Atleast Bonds, McGwire, Sheffield, and Giambi were good players before steroids. But 16 to 50 back to 18? It just doesn't happen.

[Brady Anderson]

It's partly comical partly sad reading the foolish comments posted on this site. To the misinformed Alex who claims I came into camp 35 pounds heavier, here are the facts. I came into the majors 192 pounds and 15 years later weighed 202 reaching my highest weight in the spring of 98 at 206. I was not sub par before 96 nor after, did not pull muscles at all, and did not sign a contract after the 96 season but rather after the 97 season in which I hit 18 homeruns and also made the All Star team for my third time in 6 years. sub par players dont do that. I had the best season of any lead off hitter in the majors in 1999. For a 9 year stretch from 1992 to 1999 I was durable and one of the very best lead off hitters and defensive outfielders in all of baseball and my leadoff stats during that time rank amongst the best who have ever played. I was awful as a hitter from 1988 to 1991 and awful in 2001. I accomplished every thing in my career by getting the most of my natual ability and was the best trained athlete in the majors throughout my career. Love me hate me whatever I dont give a shit. Just back it up with some fucking accurate facts every now and then it would be a nice change. And by the way Palmer retracted his statements about me the very next day and apologized to me sincerely at my Oriole Hall of Fame induction

[Jeff]

I meant no offense with this post, Brady. Of course, no one knows but you and the BIG GUY if you took performance enhancing drugs during your career and every bit of speculation is based solely on the huge spike in your HR output that one year. Hey, maybe you were in a very large zone that defies explanation; maybe you found a magic tree from which to get your bats; maybe you were that good. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Always liked the way you played and really liked the fact that you helped make sideburns cool again.

[Will]

He just found his stroke is all.

[brady]

i admit it, i took roids

[bud]

to all the steroid McCarthy-ists:
Firstly, I hate the orioles. However, I hate witch hunts more. I recall that Brady hit most of his homeruns in the 1st half, and set a record for april homeruns with 11.
Another, at least partial explanation? Better pitches to hit since he had a guy in the top 5 in batting hitting right after him? He hit 34 of his homeruns leading off an inning, so that would seem to lend support to the idea that, yeah, they threw him more pitches to hit than usual.
Most people rely on Sports writers to get their information and create their minds for them. What do you want to bet that most newspapers do not take their sports departments seriously? that they allow their sports writers to plagarise and tread dangerously close to libel. As the editors might say... who cares? its only sports.

[Dave S]

In 1996, Anderson led off games. Pitching coaches believed that Anderson could be pitched to. And with excellent protection, pitchers grooved a lot of fastballs to Brady. Why?

1. A pitcher does not want to walk the lead-off hitter, especially not at home, and foremost does not want to have the first inning be a big one. Behind Brady was Alomar, then Palmeiro, then Bonilla/Ripken/Surhoff/Hoiles (depending on the day and/or that pitcher's throwing arm).

2. Anderson was not extremely selective (76 BBs/106 Ks in 1996) - not bad (.396 OBA) but not Bonds. Also, Anderson was a fly-ball hitter. So, when he swung Brady was most likely to make contact, and most of his 579 PAs became outs.

In summary, Brady was the lesser of two evils for opposing pitching. He was the top-of-the-order guy pitchers felt they could get; they were mostly right, too. The dingers were a by-product of the fastballs.

Consider what Anderson's season might have been if Johnson flipped Alomar and Anderson? With Alomar and his customary .400+ OBA and 30+ SBs on first for Brady, how many MORE fastballs would Brady have had to hit?

In 1989 I briefly chatted with Anderson at the Orioles Store in downtown DC; he was at a table with Steve Finley and Mike Devereaux signing memorabilia. Devereaux could be described as rangy, so too could Finley. But Anderson was cut. He wasn't as ripped as he was by 1996, but it was obvious he was working at it. This just to say that I know for a fact that he didn't sprout from a skin/bones to 35 lbs of new muscle in an off-seaason. That's bullcrap.

[Brady Anderson]

Luke Perry is hot!!!

[Mike C]

Hey, Brady was always a great all around player. Just becaus ethe beginning of his career he had low numbers doesn't mean a thing. He wasn't a starter...he basically had 200-300 at bats, getting a start here & there. I'm sure it's hard to get into any kind of groove when you don't have regular at bats.

So around '92, he gets his chance. I think it was around that time as well that 'Devo', Mike Devereaux showed his ability as well. Devo was never really given the chance to play everyday, so his numbers after that season were iffy.

Brady has always been in shape, but geez...look at all of teh defensive gems he had in the outfield robbing hits & homeruns. I think I know why he had nagging injuries...give the guy a break. He was totally healthy & in the zone in '96...give him his due. Even if he didn't hit 50 homers that year, he still deserves to be in the Orioles HOF. Yep, Brady was an awesome player.

[Barry B.]

Brady, do you have to use so many cuss words?

Roid rage if I ever saw it.

[Bud Selig]

There is no such thing as steroids.

[Stump Merrill]

Brady was absolutely using steroids.

[Rocky]

Brady Anderson was the most obvious roider in MLB history. He can deny it all he wants. With the exception of Canseco, every single player denies until it is confirmed that they tested positive. How many people are hitting 50 homeruns now that steroids are routinely tested for? How many players get much better after age 30 than they ever were before age 30? Anderson was 32 when he exploded with 50 homers. In 10 seasons before 1996 he had a TOTAL of 72 homers. Then all of a sudden in one year he has 50? Come on Brady, you can't fool us. We aren't that stupid. You can deny all you want. We are all not that stupid. Be a man and just admit it.

[Joe]

Rocky, then please explain Davey Johnson in 1973? Dying to hear that explanation. Was he roiding too? LOL!

Shut your mouth unless you have a clue.