Chicago Cubs pitcher Arrieta unloads on 'idiot' drug claims

Chicago Cubs pitcher Arrieta unloads on 'idiot' drug claims

CHICAGO - Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta hit back at sniping that steroid use was behind his red-hot streak, wearily insisting that his remarkable run of form was down to diet, genes, and hard work.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta said he would welcome more tests in baseball and tougher sentences for proven drug cheats

Arrieta has compiled a spectacular run of 24 consecutive quality starts, a 20-1 record which includes two no-hitters since June.

Yet the powerfully built 30-year-old has found himself the target of claims that performance-enhancing drugs may be involved in his emergence as one of the most feared pitchers in Major League Baseball.

Arrieta is having none of it.

"I've heard players, and I'm talking about some of the best players in the league, question whether I've taken steroids or not," told USA Today Sports.

"Some of the things I hear are pretty funny, and some people are idiots, frankly."

Speaking to other reporters ahead of the Cubs three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Arrieta said there was no mystery behind his physique.

"I eat plants and I eat lean protein and that's my gig," said Arrieta. "I watch what I eat and I train properly. That's no secret.

"My mom's 6-1 and my dad's 6-4, so I'm going to be big. I do Pilates, I strength train with heavy weights occasionally and this is the result."

Baseball has faced multiple drug scandals in recent years, with star names such as Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire all accused of using performance enhancers.

Arrieta said he would welcome more tests in baseball and tougher sentences for proven drug cheats.

"With what's at stake some people are willing to take the risk, and that's why the drug program is what it is and it is tough," Arrieta said.

"Guys will still attempt to beat the system and I think it's becoming harder and harder to do so. And it should be," he said, agreeing with a suggested "one strike and out" policy for anyone using steroids.

"If it's a blatant attempt to cheat the system with a serious steroid, then maybe so," he said.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT