Maybe steroids in baseball aren’t such a bad thing?
First of all, I’d like to establish that I’m not an advocate of steroids in baseball.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, I will say that the subject occupies much more spotlight than it deserves. Are steroids really as bad as everyone says they are?
Let’s first look at the negative impact of steroids on baseball. Most importantly (at least in my opinion), they give the wrong message to young baseball fans. Kids who look up to the Sammy Sosa’s and Rafael Palmeiro’s of the baseball world may be encouraged to follow in their footsteps and take advantage of steroids to further their careers. And then of course, there’s that other argument: Steroids weren’t around back in “the day,” so the records and statistics of today mean less than before. Advocates of this ideology argue that today’s boosted numbers tarnish the sanctity of some of baseball’s most cherished records.
But consider this: Steroids aren’t the first element in baseball history to change the complexion of the game. Back when Ty Cobb batted .367 for his career, baseball gloves were of infinitely lower quality than they are today. Fielding a ground ball used to be an incredible challenge. Who’s to say that Ty Cobb would have batted .300 with today’s advanced gloves in the field?
Then consider the size of today’s ballparks. Perhaps the incredible spike in home run totals in recent years has more to do with smaller dimensions in the outfield than steroid abuse. Maybe stricter work-out regiments is the culprit. Let’s all hesitate before pointing the finger (you know which one I’m talking about) at steroids.
The point is, steroids are just a new element in baseball, like improved gloves or deeper ballparks. As the wise Bob Dylan once mused, “the times, they are a’ changin’.” Why should baseball be the exception to that rule?
Now let’s look at another side of the issue. Plenty of pitchers have tested positive for steroids in addition to the big name hitters. Isn’t it possible that this balances things out, and essentially removes steroids from blame for ballooned offensive production?
Then again, should there be a need to blame anyone? Steroids are probably responsible for making the 1998 baseball season what I consider the most exciting year in baseball history. That year, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa fiercely battled one another for the home run crown, each demolishing Roger Maris’ single-season home run record in the progress. The home run race rekindled dwindling interest in baseball, catapulting it back into its role as the “National Pastime.” Barry Bonds 73 home run season was just as exciting.
Admit it- when those guys were blasting homer after homer, you weren’t thinking about steroids. You were probably sitting on your sofa with an awed expression, excited to know that you were witnessing baseball history.
There’s no right way to shrug off the fact that steroids are dangerous, and are capable of giving kids a bad model to follow. It comes down to responsibility and making the right choices. As far as current professional athletes go, my policy is as follows: nobody should tell anyone else what they can and cannot put in their own body.
Now that you’ve seen the other side of the story, you make your own decision.
I’d like to take this opportunity to reiterate that I’m not an advocate of steroids in baseball.
People do have the right to choose what they use/abuse. I’m for more education about the dangers of steroids so our future “stars” avoid unnecessary harm to their bodies and possible early deaths. However, great idea for an article!
merry lambert
April 10, 2007 at 10:00 am
“As far as current professional athletes go, my policy is as follows: nobody should tell anyone else what they can and cannot put in their own body.”
That’s a ridiculous statement for many reasons. First off, it is major league baseball’s RESPONSIBILITY to promote fair play. That’s right, if they don’t promote fair play then why play at all? You mention all the changes that have taken place in baseball. Well guess what, those changes applied to EVERYONE. Steroids are inherently unfair because only those who are willing to abuse their bodies get the short term advantages. If someone wants to be a major league baseball player, they should NOT feel pressure to use steroids in order to succeed. That’s why it is major league baseball’s DUTY to ban steroids and all other performance enhancing drugs. The playing field must be level, and that means no steroids in baseball.
Aaron
April 10, 2007 at 10:40 am
i disagree that the most exciting season was in 1998. i actually think the last time two great hitters duked it out for the homerun record (i’m talking about roger maris and mickey mantle) was much more exciting simply because it was based on their own human strength and power and not on some artificial enhancement.
that said, people were also angry that maris broke babe ruth’s single season homerun record since the season had been extended. (see the movie 61*) so it’s all relative.
Emily Vaughan
April 10, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Steroids may have been responsible for the most exciting baseball season (I’m with you there), but I think it’s become clear in the last couple of years that the game is more exciting without. Fans and commentators alike drool over players like David Wright, Grady Sizemore and Chase Utley and practically have to change pants when they see Jose Reyes. These 5-tool players would destroy their strengths (speed, agility, all-out energy) with steroids. So, while steroids may have caused some excitement years ago, the exhiliration today is around players who stay away from artifical enhancement.
Jason Plautz
April 10, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I’m not a fan of steroids, but comparing the popularity of Jose Reyes and Chase Utley to Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa is ridiculous. They captivated a nation. Reyes and Utley captivate baseball fans.
Patrick Lester
April 11, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Aaron, Emily, Jason, you all make great points. As far as the Mantle, Maris year, I don’t doubt that they captivated the nation as well. I call ‘98 the most exciting year in baseball history cause it’s the most exciting year I’ve witnessed.
As far as Jason’s comment goes, I definitely love watching these young talents. Still, though, I can’t remember ever being as in love baseball as I was in ‘98. Sure McGwire and Sosa were probably using illegal substances, but what they’ve given to the game is so important. I just wish people would stop to remember that before they only consider the bad.
Josh Weinstock
April 12, 2007 at 3:00 am
“The playing field must be level, and that means no steroids in baseball.”
Aaron, tell that to Felix Hernandez. He must be on some seriously potent ‘roids, with the way he’s picthing.
Josh Weinstock
April 12, 2007 at 3:03 am
I don’t know what “picthing” means, but Felix actually LOST weight in the off-season, thus ruining your idea that he might be on roids.
Aaron
April 12, 2007 at 4:12 am
if a man is willing to poke his own ass with a needle then im all for steroids
the man the myth the legend
May 2, 2007 at 11:16 am
I’m against steroids for one simple reason: It’s against the rules. Like corked bats or too much pine tar, it presents an unfair advantage for one player compared to the rest. Oh, and it’s also illegal.
Most fans are appalled by MLB players using steroids…moreso than in other sports (football). I wonder how much of that has to do with the glorification of records in baseball. Everyone knows how many homers Bonds hit to break McGwire’s record, or how many Big Mac hit to break Maris’, or how many Aaron hit to break Babe’s. How many people know that Jabbar holds the record for career points in the NBA? How many people know how many he scored? How many people know who holds the record for most career TDs? Baseball holds its records near and dear, and many people don’t want to see them go (see Maris and 61). And if they must go, they want it to go to someone who deserves it, who earned it on his own merit. Because baseball is (err, was) our national pastime, and people grew up watching it, they don’t want to see the heroes of their youth passed by cheaters who put illegal drugs into their body to earn millions in contracts and endorsements. Don’t know where that long tangent just came from, but I thought I’d spit it out.
Matt
May 2, 2007 at 11:52 am
A lot of what you say makes sense Matt. Some very good points. I disagree that “many people don’t want to see them (records) go.” I agree that many people are appalled by the idea of cheating to break these records, but for most fans, nothing is more exciting than a chase for a record. Try to remember back to the McGwire Sosa year, before all the steroid speculation. Don’t you remember how excited the country was about baseball? Baseball once again became (and by the way, it still is) the national pastime. I do agree with your argument that the homerun record is the most cherished record in sports.
Josh Weinstock
May 2, 2007 at 12:45 pm
And all that excitement in ‘98 was just a lie. So sad. I think it might be the journalist in me, but I don’t appreciate lies.
Aaron
May 2, 2007 at 2:01 pm
98 was the greatest year in baseball and that might be the non- jpurnalist in me but it rejuvinated baseball as we know it so if you dont appreciate lies then you have the wrong game their pal
Reese Bobby
May 4, 2007 at 11:21 am
i dont like yo aaron
Reese Bobby
May 4, 2007 at 11:22 am
Pine tar dose nothing it give you grip it really dosent matter how much grip you got.
Reese Bobby
May 4, 2007 at 11:24 am
There are many great baseball seasons that were not based on lies. 1906, 1927, 1948, 1951 1954, 1955, 1960, 1968, etc. If you don’t know why these years were great…then you have the wrong game pal.
Aaron
May 30, 2007 at 11:44 pm
That’s real mature.
Aaron
May 30, 2007 at 11:44 pm