Interview Write-up

Interview with Dave Groeschner

Prepared by Cole Strombom

We interviewed Mr. Groeschner at AT&T Park in San Francisco on April 12, 2010. Mr. Groeschner is the head trainer for the San Francisco Giants. He majored in athletic training and sports medicine. He has been a professional baseball trainer for eleven years, ten of those years he has been with the Giants. Since he has been dealing with major league baseball for the last decade, he had a lot of experience dealing with players who may have taken steroids, especially because of baseball’s recent steroid scandal. He provided a professional and knowledgeable inside source.
James and I were treated like adults from start to finish. Mr. Groeschner brought us into the dugout for the interview with no hesitation. We interviewed him while all of the players were warming up for their game. Being able to interview him in the dugout was an unreal experience. And although James and I were both in shock from being so close to the field and the players, it gave us a sense of comfort because Mr. Groeschner respected us, just like we respected him. He was very interested in our project and provided thorough answers to our questions. We conducted the entire interview, and after we continue to talk about baseball with him for another 15-20 minutes.
There were a few main points Mr. Groeschner made that I was expecting. He noted that players are influenced by outside sources, and that no one affiliated with a certain team would influence their players; by this I mean that no trainer, manager, coach, etc. would influence players in their organization to use steroids. I knew that steroids make the player become stronger more rapidly, and that most baseball players are big without using steroids. Also expected, Mr. Groeschner noted that if a certain player were caught using steroids, it would most definitely affect team chemistry as a whole, for example: Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez. In other words, he stated that it is quite noticable to see a change in the team’s chemistry when a certain player is caught using steroids. It will effect the team’s physical performance, because that player will be suspended, as well as the team’s mental approach because they know that one of their teammates was using illegal performance enhancing drugs.
I was surprised to learn that the San Francisco Giants organization conducts a “non-steroid” camp for younger athletes. The goal of the camp is for them to teach and influence younger players on why not to use steroids. They also teach their players about steroids, and why not to use them. Mr. Groeschner also told us that, he works at the stadium, and the players live their own lives. You can teach them why not to use steroids, but in the end, it is the player’s decision.
I was extremely pleased with how the interview went. Mr. Groeschner was able to make connections to our social injustice by stating that using steroids is cheating, it sets a poor example for younger athletes, and delivers side effects to users. Not only was it a very cool experience, but a great learning experience too. Mr. Groeschner was a very nice guy, and made no assumptions about us. Since we were mature and respectful, he treated us the same way. The experience was great because we were all comfortable and casual, which led to well-thought questions, and even better answers.

CST#5 The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

The people who do the steroids have to deal with themselves the knowledge that they have done such a bad thing to cheat themselves and the game. They think they are being protected, when in the end they are the one’s who are hurting themselves. They feel that they have the right to do them, but they don’t realize the wrong they are actually causing. http://kellylowenstein.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/tom-brady.jpg

CST #7 Care for God's Creation

By using steroids, more and more others will also use steroids. This is disrespecting God's creation. Encouraging and leading others to destroy their body is also considered against the care for God's creation. By abusing steroids, one is also abusing their family, friends, community, and the earth.

http://sites.google.com/site/msbrousseausclass/_/rsrc/1251203861841/home/j0437332.jpg

CST #6 Solidarity

When more people use steroids, the population of users keeps growing and growing. We ae called to work as one big family, or community, and help each other. By showing the community that steroids are okay to use, many others will try them, and start to use them. As a community, CST #6 teaches us to encourage each other to do the right thing.

http://mixbook.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/happy-customers.jpg

CST #4 Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Choosing to abuse steroids is going against CST #4. We are called to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. We are called to put all extras off until we help the poor and vulnerable. By abusing steroids we are putting cheating first. By doing this, the steroid user is saying that cheating, is more important than helping the poor and vulnerable.


http://ccconline.cc/uploads/content/700/09dd31b17e4c59e272cc4a33f918fbc2.jpg

CST #3 Rights and Responsibilities of the Human Person

Catholic tradition teaches that rights need to be protected and that responsibilities need to be met in order to have human dignity and a healthy community. Abusing steroids is going against a professional athletes rights and responsibilities. This will affect the athletes dignity and community they are involved with. In a professional athletes case, according to the Catholic Social Teaching, abusing steroids will affect potential fans, coaches, family, neighborhood, team, and teammates.

(Cole)

http://www.isteroids.com/images/steroid-abuse-anabolic-steroids.jpg

Second Post Assignment - CST #1 and #2

CST #1 Life and Dignity of Human Person


Our social justice topic is on the abuse of steroids in professional sports. While growing up being a sports lover, there has been noticable changes in the way the game is played. Better, faster, stronger, is a key goal for all professional athletes and they are doing anything to reach that goal. The number of athletes that test positive each year for steroids is becoming higher and higher and something needs to be done to stop it.


The Church believes that every human being is both sacred and precious. Life keeps on being threatened, because of the rising death tolls and murders in our world. People use there bodies in a wrong way by using steroids and other supplements. People who use these illegal substances are negating their foundation of being a moral human person.

(James)


http://denseblogadvisory.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/27-barry-bonds.jpg



CST #2 Call to Family, Community, and Participation


The Church calls us to participate within family and community. This targets each person towards doing the common good and well-being for all. If we abuse steroids, we are abusing ourselves, our families, and our community. By abusing steroids, one is damaging the relationships they may have with themselves, their family, and community. We are called to participate in our society to help the well-being of all, and by using steroids we are participating in society in a negative way, something the Church does not teach.

(Cole)

http://images0.cafepress.com/product/363296380v1_225x225_Front.jpg