Playing even
Here's something that has bothered me for a while. Why is the use of performance-enhancing drugs not taken more seriously?
I can hear the groans now. It has, after all, been featured on ESPN, CNN and the biggest newspapers in the world. It has been discussed, dissected and broken down by every sports columnist in this country.
The issue was even brought before congress for a day of grandstanding testimony.
And yet the words have been written, the question has been raised.
The fact is that baseball people haven't comprehended how serious the steroids issue is.
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These are the facts:
Steroids are illegal in this country and have been since 1991. You can only obtain them with the help of a (likely crooked) doctor.
Steroids improve, illegally, a players' ability. That is, after all, why they're taken.
Every time a player stepped on the field with illegal substances in his system, he was cheating. Cheating the fans, cheating the sport, but more importantly, cheating his opponents. He was giving his team an unfair advantage over the clean ballplayers, and giving his team an unfair chance to win.
In other words, he was messing with the integrity of the game.
When Ben Johnson was found to have used steroids in 1988, his gold medal was taken away. In today's culture, Olympic athletes face long suspensions and disgrace for using them.
What I am saying is this:
In 1989, Pete Rose was banned for life for betting on baseball. He is not in the Hall of Fame, despite 4,256 hits.
He is not in the Hall because he bet while managing a club.
Did he mess with the integrity of the game? Yes.
But roided up players used illegal drugs to enhance their own performance. In doing so, they aided their teams.
I fail to see the distinction between Pete Rose and the cheaters of the steroid era.
If Pete Rose is banned, so should all those who take steroids.
That's what should happen. But it won't.