MLB Releases Memo to Address ‘Very Real Risk’ of OTC Male Enhancement Pills

I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be writing about gas-station boner pills, but here we are. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Major League Baseball has released a memo to all major and minor league players and the MLB Players Association to warn them about the potential that over-the-counter products could lead to a positive test for banned substances.

“Sexual or male enhancement products present a very real risk for drug-tested players,” the memo said, “and the high likelihood for contamination or unidentified ingredients in these products underscores the importance of consuming only those products that are NSF Certified for Sport.”

Passan cites multiple sources in writing that the use of such pills, which are commonly purchased at gas stations and have names like Black Stallion 9000, Rhino 69 and Libigrow, is “prevalent among baseball players.” Though no filling station chains were mentioned by name, Kum & Go makes sense as a potential source.

“We know from experience,” the memo continued, “that a number of these sexual or male enhancement products – which are sold online, at retail stores, and on the black market, both in the United States and internationally – contain anabolic steroids and other prohibited substances.”

If you’re wondering why in the little blue hell this is even a thing, well, it’s apparently because at least two players who were popped for PEDs blamed OTC pills. Surely it’s just that and has nothing at all to do with the whopping sums of money MLB’s broadcast partners pull down from the ubiquitous ads for prescription male-performance solutions that run during games.

Yeah, no way is this about money. Totally just looking out for players.