Parque Comes Clean

In a somewhat classy move, Jim Parque has finally admitted to using HGH in an attempt to recover from a career threatening injury. Rather than have someone pen his story, Jim decided to write it in his own words.

Reading Jim's essay, you begin to see the real struggle that MLB athletes face and the realization that there is a very short window to make sure the family is properly provided for.

It's easy to forget about Jim Parque in the midst of the other high profile names. It would have been simple to fade into the background, since most people don't remember Parque pitching in the Major Leagues. Until his injury in the 2000 postseason against the Mariners, Jim was shaping up to be a decent number two or three starter. Not an ace, but someone who could keep the team in the game every five days.

The admission may be a few years late, but it's appreciated nonetheless. Check out Jim's story, which is a Chicago Sun Times exclusive.

This Is The Result Of Steroids?

While browsing through a pdf of the Mitchell Report, I started to get bored of pouring through the medical side of steroids. I already learned about that in medical classes I took. I panned down to a bunch of blurry scans of checks and money orders, at the end of the report.

There I found Jim Parque's name. He was the only left handed pitcher of the bronze winning 1996 US Olympic team. He spent most of his playing days with the White Sox. The rest he spent with the Devil Rays. His best year came in 2000, when he posted 13 wins and 6 losses, while helping the White Sox win the Central Division.

He was beset by a torn labrum that resulted in recurring arm troubles. He finally retired in 2004. Jim attempted a comeback in 2007 with the Mariners. They released him after only 4 months.

Did Jim try steroids to help him get over his bum arm? It sounds likely. Or did Jim's use of steroids result in his 2000 performance? We may never know. But it is a shame that Jim had to resort to this. He was very likable in his stint with the White Sox.