The Philadelphia Phillies issued a succinct, but direct release on Sunday evening in regards to allegations about first baseman Ryan Howard. After the Al Jazeera report aired at 9:00 p.m. and concluded at 10:00 p.m., the Phillies promptly issued a press release at 10:12 p.m.. The team echoed Howard's denial and pledged their full support to any investigation that may follow.
The release to the media reads:
The Phillies issue the following statement in response to tonight’s airing of Al Jazeera’s report titled “The Dark Side”:
“Ryan Howard has vigorously denied the allegations contained in tonight’s airing of Al Jazeera’s report titled ‘The Dark Side.’ Ryan has spent his whole career with the Phillies and, during that entire time, has been an extremely well respected member of our team and an outstanding contributor to our community. We will fully cooperate with any investigation conducted by Major League Baseball and will refer all further questions to them concerning the Al Jazeera report.”
An investigation is probably going to take place, given the public nature.
In the documentary, at least one former Major League player, Taylor Teagarden, was shown on video openly discussing use of a "Delta 2" steroid. This is the substance that pharmacist Charlie Sly claimed to give to Howard while being recorded without his knowledge. Major League Baseball will probably due their due diligence in looking into the case, but the whole case relies on the word of Sly, who publicly distanced himself from his own comments after learning that they were recorded and would air.
