Max Kepler, a former outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, is currently trending due to his suspension for 80 games following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). This significant news has captured public attention, resulting in over 20,000 searches as fans and sports enthusiasts seek more information about the incident.
The announcement has been covered by several notable sources, including NBC Sports Philadelphia and The Big Lead, which detailed the specifics of the suspension. The severity of the 80-game penalty for a PED violation is garnering widespread interest, as such incidents can have major implications for players’ careers and team dynamics.
As a well-known figure in Major League Baseball, Kepler’s suspension raises various questions regarding the impact on his future in the sport, which further fuels curiosity and leads to increased search activity. The combination of his status as a free-agent player and the nature of the violation makes this a compelling topic within the sports community.
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Internet Reacts
M
Nice, now I can pretend he kicked Cleveland’s ass for years because he was juicing.
S
That 2019 run where he homered off Trevor Bauer in five straight at bats remains one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.
S
I mea he owned CLE pitching regardless but he absolutely murdered Bauer for his career and looking back on that part at least I can laugh
B
Seriously. I remember Manning like “Kepler doesn’t hit anybody, besides the Guardians.” And it’s been stuck in my head for 2-3 seasons now.
T
Kepler actually has poor numbers against Cleveland throughout his career. 510PA 22HR 51RBI .206/.267/.403 OPS .670 tOPS+ 79 compare that to his career 4725PA 179HR 560RBI .235/.316/.425 OPS .741. Oddly enough, he did well (to be more precise, he hit a bunch of home runs) IN Cleveland. 240PA 16HR 38RBI .222/.280/.502 OPS .783.
B
Some players just like hitting in specific parks. See Mike Trout’s career road 1.1 OPS when he’s in Seattle.
S
He really beat up on Trevor Bauer which is what they’re remembering most likely.
D
.351/.400/.811 with 5 HR in 40 PA. 3 HR in June 6, 2019 The other 2 on July 13, 2019 That was a fun season.
I
I guess that was Max Kepler’s big move!
M
A Max Keeble’s Big Move reference in 2026? I’ve seen it all.
B
I bet Jaimie Kennedy spiked his ice cream with tren
J
The Jaime Kennedy Experiment continues
M
That movie fucking rules
G
Lol the bully being scared of a frog mascot will always make me laugh
C
Truly a strange timeline.
H
*”MacGoogles is me name! I love a swampy bog! Its time to play a game with your favorite Highland Frog!”*
T
It’s the mcgoogler!
J
I would drag my mom to our local library once a month to rent that movie. Iconic.
J
I still have the VHS somewhere!
I
wow
I
I have no original thoughts.
J
Fuck there goes our 2026 RF.
S
Actually, this makes it a perfect match. We can get him when 1) the drugs wear off, 2) he’s rusty, and most importantly 3) he’ll be dirt cheap given 1, 2, and that he doesn’t move the needle. We may need to wait a few more years though so he’s even cheaper and JR is wiser at 95.
R
Sure sounds like he moves a needle though
C
I was thinking Jed Hoyer would sign him even though we don’t need outfielders because we’d only have to pay him for 82 games.
S
Max Kepler did steroids and had the worst year of his career last year. Is this proof steroids make you worse?
M
Maybe he would’ve been even *worse* without the steroids. Yikes.
S
Maybe if us regular folks take steroids we can be as good as Max Kepler?
D
I’m aging so poorly that “me on steroids now” and “me two months ago” is probably about the same
I
You underestimate the power of a balanced breakfast my friend.
B
Hi, I’m Donovan McNabb, and I play quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, and you can too, if you start every day with a hearty breakfast from McDonalds, like the new sausage egg mcgriddle value meals, for a limited time, for under $5. …I’m lovin’ it. Can I get the check?
T
I just want to say, steroids might make you hit harder or throw harder, but the game is still on you. The main problem with steroids is that they help with recovery. Someone on steroids might go into the post season feeling better than ever while everyone else is beat up from a 162 game season
M
This needs more eyes on it. It isnt like guys are just taking anabolic roids to get shredded and ripped.
A
Didn’t expect to see the evolution of the arm on r/baseball
S
Imagine how good bonds could’ve been without them!
H
30 WAR season at 40 years old duh
N
He won 3x MVPs before steroids soooo?
U
Could’ve gone from * to
L
It proves that any physical performance benefits conferred by steroid use are outweighed psychologically by the internal shame of knowing you aren’t playing fair and square. In this essay, I will explain how a PED-free Alex Rodriguez would have hit 1250 home runs…
D
Are we sure he didn’t start specifically because of his bad season? When was the sample collected?
S
Did he get caught during the season, or was he starting in the off-season? I don’t know when they test for them. If people really wanted to cheat, they could just get an Adderall prescription. Stimulants seem like the better method, and a fair number of players already take them.
F
IIRC Adderall scripts went from like 5% of players to 10% when PEDs were first started to be tested.
S
I can’t speak for anyone who doesn’t have ADHD (or is anywhere close to peak athletic form, sigh) but in my experience, Adderall does not mix well with running around. Shit makes my heart feel like it’ll explode if I do more than a light jog.
E
Yeah but do you feel like you’re dialed in and could rip the first pitch over the wall?
S
While playing The Show, absolutely lol. Fair point.
E
Yeah I’m really comparing it to my experience playing chess, but I think walking up to the plate wound up like that would be a huge psychological advantage. I suck at chess for the record
A
Brady Anderson and Luis Gonzalaz would like a word
S
If you choose tren and are a pro athlete, ya. Great for bodybuilding, terrible for being athletic at anything harder than walking short distances.
C
Proof that steroids *aren’t* performance enhancing?
O
we don’t know how long he’s been using, only that he’s been caught now. it would be very unlikely that a player would risk taking steroids unless they feel they have a very good chance of not getting caught, so we can’t rule out the possibility that he’s been juicy for his whole career
Additional Sources:
NBC Sports Philadelphia – Former Phillie Max Kepler suspended 80 games for PED violation
The Big Lead – Phillies’ free agent suspended 80 games for positive PED test
