Fraters Libertas

The Sober, Articulate Case Against Seriods in Baseball

Reader Salsa and Eggs whips the Barry Bonds issue into a froth and then adds the zip:

Steroid testing in MLB is necessary. This is a funny subject and very much over done. I'm sure you've heard about the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in MLB and how it dictates the owners and the players' union protocol regarding the use of steroids. The agreement is: that if more than five percent of the players failed the steroid test set on a predetermined date near the start of the season, but far enough in the future so everybody could get clean, testing would continue. The penalties for failing the test are so lax that it takes five violations before a one-year suspension is given. That's right, FIVE!! Or if there is probable cause, the players' union relents to the testing.

Seven percent of the players failed the testing, likely players in contract years or those trying to make the team, knowing that it was confidential. The numbers were down, Sammy "Growth Hormone" Sosa started the season maintaining his excellence at the plate with one exception, they weren't going out of the park anymore. He started juicing again after the test and got back in step. Check it out:

G HR RBI Total Bases Avg
Apr/May/Jun 57 10 36 105 .298
Jul/Aug/Sep 80 30 67 181 .266

Ownership is too concerned with current profits. The union is only concerned with increasing/maintaining power, even at the expense of its members health, a classic shortfall of unions. When coming up with the CBA it seems the owners and the union have overlooked the fans. Do they honestly think people will continue support through the fifth offense? Do they think the fans who admire the accomplishments Aaron, Ruth, Clemente, Mays, Killebrew, Yaz, Ted, Stan, etc., won't have opinions if nothing is done when a five time MVP has direct relationships with people known to distribute illegal substances?

Baseball is a game of numbers. People DO know Mays hit 660, Ruth hit 715 and Aaron hit 755. They know Ruth hit 60, Maris hit 61, McGuire hit 70 (using a substance banned by the NFL for its masking properties but not by MLB) and Bonds hit 73. There isn't another sport so defined by the statistics, so when the integrity of the game is called into question
fans will leave. Oh, and it's a bad example to set. Hello soccer.

It's a test, guys, take it. The court here is public opinion, the sentence is your way of life and the way of life for future gifted athletes. Worry about the fourth amendment when it pertains.

One fact people like to overlook, not all steroids are for muscle bulk, ask the Olympic swimmers.

A very convincing and articulate argument. If I only would have shouted that at Pac Bell Stadium a few years back, maybe people would have listened to me. And I wouldn't have these outstanding warrants still hounding me.