Jake Arrieta brushes off PED talk, feels flattered

With Jake Arrieta‘s recent dominance, some people have taken to spread unfounded rumors linking him to performance enhancing drugs. He takes it in stride, however, laughing off the rumors and going on his merry way.

It is a shame how things have digressed these days. In an earlier time, pitchers who dominated the game of baseball the way Jake Arrieta is currently owning baseball were honored and respected for their exploits.

Things are different now.

With Arrieta looking like a man among boys, some people apparently think that the only way he could do what he is doing is by taking performance enhancing drugs (PED’s).

Before I go on, let’s review what Arrieta has done to raise so much suspicion.

Arrieta’s stats look like they come straight out of a video game. In his last 24 starts since June 12 of last year, amassing 178.0 innings, he has a 20-1 record, giving up just 91 hits and walking just 33. He struck out 173 batters, allowing just 17 earned runs. He has a 0.86 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. Oh, and another thing, he also has two no-hitters on his résumé.

The one game he lost was when Cole Hamels threw a no-hitter himself.

Yeah, I can see where the rest of the league may think Arrieta is doing something artificial to help him.

On Tuesday, Arrieta was asked about the PED rumors. He turned things around, calling for tougher sanctions for those who get busted.

“It’s apparent guys are still trying to take things,” said Arrieta. “I think it’s unfortunate, and I think guys will continue to do so unless the penalty is stiffer.

“I personally don’t think that guys should get multiple chances when they fail a steroids test,” Arrieta said. “The fine print has to be ironed out. It has to be circumstantial. I would hate for somebody to take something unknowingly and after due process, maybe it wasn’t what they thought it was. If it’s a blatant attempt to cheat the system with a series of steroids, yes maybe so. Then if you’re willing to put your career in peril, than you’re willing to take that chance.”

Arrieta went on to answer questions about his use personally. “It’s flattering to hear that,” Arrieta said. “I know I have never taken any shortcuts. I don’t ever to intend to.

“If people question my work ethic, that is fine,” Arrieta said. “I know what I am doing behind the scenes. Like I said, it is somewhat flattering, especially when some of those PED comments are coming from the best players in the game.”

Jake Arrieta did not sound like someone who may be taking PED’s. Of course, the critics will also say that Rafael Palmeiro did not sound like a user too in 2005 when he waved his finger in the now-infamous Congressional hearings before testing positive himself.

Arrieta saved his most stringent denial for Stephen A. Smith, however.

Smith took to his First Take program on ESPN Wednesday to address the rumors.

“I’m just looking at it, and I’m saying to myself, All right, I’m not going to accuse you of using performance-enhancing drugs supplements, drugs, whatever you want to call it,” Smith said. “But I will say that you shouldn’t be laughing at those who are just looking at you and saying, ‘Excuse me, what the hell is going on here?’ Because it’s not like they haven’t seen performance-enhancing drug users before.”

Arrieta answered Smith via Twitter:

So, sorry Mr. Smith, but Jake Arrieta will continue to do his thing and keep working hard. You can continue to do your thing — being a big clown.

More from Da Windy City

• Juan Soto appears headed to the Yankees which is not a big blow Chicago Cubs offseason
• 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
• Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
• The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
• Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates

After seeing so many players test positive for PED’s, many have become cynical to players declaring themselves drug-free. Absent pertinent facts, however, we have to take a player at his word.

Once he tests positive, however…

One thing to keep in mind is that Arrieta was one of the Baltimore Orioles top prospects when he came up. He was supposed to be very good. Maybe not superhuman good, but good nonetheless.

It wasn’t until he was traded to the Chicago Cubs that things finally clicked. A combination of good coaching and maturity is what has him where he is now.

Next: Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Full Seven Round Picks

As I mentioned earlier, it is a crying shame that we cannot celebrate a player’s accomplishment. Jake Arrieta is on a historic stretch and we should be admiring his work, not looking for ways to tear him down.