Chapter[ IX. The Threat Posed By Internet Sales of Steroids and Human Growth
Hormone ]
Section[ B. David Bell ]
David Bell
In a March 6, 2007 article, Sports Illustrated identified David Bell, a former
player who spent parts of twelve seasons as an infielder with six different major league teams
(the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia
Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers) as one of the customers who appeared in records seized from
Applied Pharmacy Services of Mobile, Alabama. According to the article, Bell reportedly
purchased six packages of human chorionic gonadatropin (“HCG”) from the pharmacy in April
2005 while he was playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.462 HCG is a hormone that is produced
during pregnancy; it is used by steroid abusers to counteract the effects of steroid use on the
body’s natural production of testosterone.463
460 Roger Rubin and T.J. Quinn, Ankiel Spills Juice on Self: Admits Receiving HGH, but
on Doctor’s Orders, N.Y. Daily News, Sept. 8, 2007, at 49.
461 See Pat Borzi, Ankiel’s Troubles Affecting Cardinals, N.Y. Times, Sept. 15, 2007, at
D6.
462 Luis Fernando Llosa and L. Jon Wertheim, Rx for Trouble: Inside the Steroid Sting,
Sports Illustrated, Mar. 12, 2007, at 62.
463 See U. Stenman, et al., Immunoprocedures for Detecting Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin: Clinical Aspects and Doping Control, 43 Clinical Chem. 1293-98 (1997).
244
Bell’s orders of HCG reportedly were prescribed by an Arizona anti-aging clinic.
The Sports Illustrated article reported that Bell acknowledged to reporters that he received the
drugs but explained that he had received a prescription for them “for a medical condition” that he
refused to identify, citing medical privacy laws.464
Neither I nor any member of my investigative staff had any prior knowledge of
any allegation about Bell.
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