Brian Bocock was the Giants' opening day shortstop in 2008, but was optioned to the Class-AAA Fresno Grizzlies in May when Omar Vizquel returned from a knee injury.Then, in mid-June, a circulation disorder caused three fingers on Bocock's right hand to turn blue.

"The injury forced him out of action and he missed the rest of the season," reports Baggarly in his blog, Extra Baggs. "Well, I'm pleased to report that Bocock is completely healed. He's back in major league camp this spring. And he has a certain performance-enhancing drug to thank for his recovery. Nothing that would make Bud Selig upset, though. (Heck, Selig might even use it himself.) "The doctors had me on baby aspirin, anti-inflammatories, blood thinners, and, well … Viagra," Bocock said, sheepishly."

Filling the prescription was an adventure every time. Bocock would quietly slip the sheet of paper across the counter and wait for the pharmacist's reaction. Instead of the standard six or eight pills, Bocock needed a month's worth.

"I'd clean the place out," he said. "A few times, I took all they had." Given his unusual last name, he can guess what the pharmacists were thinking – that he wasn't a baseball player, but some other kind of star.

The Giants are also considering a roster spot for their hot new second-base prospect, Buck Naked.

Giants' Bocock Tells A Stimulating Tale [Extra Baggs]

Viagra, or sildenafil citrate, was devised to treat pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in arteries of the lungs. The drug works by suppressing an enzyme that controls blood flow, allowing the vessels to relax and widen. The same mechanism facilitates blood flow into the penis of impotent men. In the case of athletes, increased cardiac output and more efficient transport of oxygenated fuel to the muscles can enhance endurance.

To find out the truth, researchers needed volunteer test subjects. Enter the lacrosse players at Marywood University.

“They’re making fun of me,” volunteer George Downey, 19, said of his friends and coaches. “Deep down, I think they’re looking for tips.”

Giving Viagra to testosterone driven college athletes sounds like a wonderful idea. Stay tuned for next year's study on campus date rapes.

In related news when told of the new research, recently un-retired Lance Armstrong replied, "Shit".

According to the Daily News, a "source" close to the Yanks' clubhouse alleges that Clemens used to keep the popular shlong stiffeners in a GNC vitamin bottle inside his locker. And Clemens isn't the only one. BALCO fink Victor Conte tells the DN that all of his athletes took it (included in his stable were Giambi, Bonds and Marion Jones) because of the pill's performance-enhancing powers.

The trend of athletes V-popping is so bad that World Anti-Doping Agency is apparently looking into if the possibility of putting Viagra on the list of banned substances in athletics.

Sadly, Rafael Palmeiro, one-time Viagra pitchman and baseball pariah, has yet to be quoted anywhere in this story. This whole thing probably doesn't do anything to help his own Hall of Fame chances.

Source: Roger Clemens, host of athletes pop viagra to help onfield performance [NYDN]