Steroids in Baseball

This is an essay I wrote for my English class and thought it would fit nicely here...

Ever since athletic competition was invented, athletes have tried to find an extra advantage over their opponents. As Norman Frost, a writer for USA Today, puts it “[it started] two millennia ago when a naked Greek put on shoes to enhance his performance.” However, in today’s world, a line has been drawn on what is acceptable to improve performance. Gatorade, 5-hour energy, hypobaric chambers, protein shakes, and weight lifting are all fair game, but steroids, human growth hormone (HGH), and testosterone are off-limits. No sport capsulizes the performance-enhancing drug (PED) debate more than baseball. The American Pastime has been under scrutiny for PED’s since the late 90’s and still struggles to regulate them effectively. Under the current system, a positive drug test gets a player a 50 game suspension. A second positive test results in a 100 game suspension, and a third test earns a lifetime ban from the sport; kind of a three strikes, you’re out policy. Whether or not steroids should or should not be illegal is irrelevant. The fact is that they are illegal and there should not only be stiffer penalties, but players at all levels need to be educated about the risks of PED’s.

Melky Cabrera is an outfielder for my favorite team, the San Francisco Giants. He started off this season on fire, culminating in an All-Star selection where he won the game’s MVP award. A few weeks later it was announced that Cabrera tested positive for a banned substance and was subsequently suspended for 50 games (Kepner, 2012). His suspension ended at a time where he could have been added to San Francisco’s postseason roster and also be eligible to win the league batting title. Wait a minute, you can break the rules and still participate in the playoffs? You can still win a coveted award? I have a problem with this, as all fans of baseball should. To the Giants’ credit, they left Cabrera off their postseason roster anyways, and to Cabrera’s credit, he removed himself from consideration of any awards he may have earned. But, what if the Giants and Cabrera had not been so considerate? He would have been penalized for the last two months of the season, yet won an award and made it to the World Series. Major League Baseball needs to increase the penalties to a first positive test resulting in a season-long ban with all eligibility for awards stripped away. This does not mean that if a player gets caught with two weeks to go in the season, he loses those two weeks and the playoffs. It means a full season: 162 games, with playoff games not contributing to the count. A second positive test results in a lifetime ban from the sport. It may be a nice idea that MLB has a three strikes policy, but do you think players would risk their careers with these stiffer penalties? Some undoubtedly think the reward is worth the risk, but the harsher penalties would discourage the general population. In addition to the stiffer penalties, Major League Baseball needs to take responsibility to educate the young player entering their league.

            We often hear players say “I have never knowingly taken a banned substance.” This is where baseball and the player’s union need to step in to protect and educate their players. Since 2005, when MLB started their drug testing program, almost 70 percent of players suspended for steroid use have come from foreign countries (baseball-almanac.com). The chart below illustrates the distribution of countries that players busted for steroids have come from.

 

Country of birth	Number of players suspended for steroids since 2005
Dominican Republic	11
United States	10
Venezuela	4
Cuba	2
Puerto Rico	1
Japan	1

These young ballplayers, often not even out of their teens yet, come to the United States to pursue their dream and are immediately bombarded by sleazy businessmen offering them a chance to be bigger, stronger, and faster. The naïve teenager sees this as an opportunity to fast track their dream and jumps at the chance, not entirely knowing what goes into their bodies or the possible consequences. In the NBA, rookies are required to go through an orientation week before training camp where they are educated on everything including drugs, how to handle money, dress code, and they are informed of the league’s expectations. Major League Baseball needs to adopt a similar strategy. As baseball scouts bring in players from other countries, they need to immediately enroll them in an orientation put on by officials from the Player’s Association. Similarly, U.S. born players need to be enrolled at the time they are drafted, whether that’s after high school or college. Education in the United States also needs to begin at the lower levels of baseball including college, high school, and even little league. Major League Baseball should make the materials that they use in their orientation classes available to coaches nationwide to further young ballplayers being well informed on both the legal and physical ramifications of steroid use. This would also engrain young players with the importance of the issue.

            Players also need educated on legal ramifications of their choice to take steroids. Not only could a player face punishment from baseball regarding steroids, but they could also face criminal charges as steroids are illegal without a prescription. According to Daniel DeNoon, the senior medical writer for WebMD, “first-time simple possession of anabolic steroids carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. For first-offense trafficking in steroids, the maximum penalty is five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.” Those are some serious legal consequences a ballplayer should be aware of.

            One of the most prominent issues that must be addressed in MLB’s educational process is the negative impact steroids can have on your health. Side effects of steroid use can include acne, jaundice, tendon rupture, heart attack, enlarged heart, increased risk of liver disease, high cholesterol, and mood swings (DeNoon). As with any drug, not everybody who takes steroids will experience all these effects, but they run the risk of these serious health problems. Some argue that, with proper use, one can avoid the side effects and that so-called experts cannot name a single person who has died from steroid use. Apparently, those experts have never heard of Ken Caminiti. He was the 1996 National League MVP and admitted to taking steroids during his career. He was found dead at 41 from an apparent heart attack. After an autopsy, doctors determined that he had died as a result of a combination of drug overdosing and an enlarged heart. What caused that enlarged heart? You guessed it: steroids. So while steroids may not kill you directly, they can contribute to poorer health and serious risks. Another caveat to the assertion that steroids are not that bad for you is that steroids have only really been around for 25 years and those who reportedly or allegedly took them are still relatively young. Therefore, it’s hard to say for certain that steroids will not have a negative health impact later in life.

            People are quick to point out the benefits of steroid use as well. They can be used to treat injuries, burns, anemia, osteoporosis, muscle-wasting disorders, and AIDS (fitnessforworld.com). They can also help with hormone imbalances, late puberty, and breast cancer. However, these treatments are always under the direction of doctors and are usually administered in very small doses. The steroids used in these treatments are also very different than the ones pumped into professional athletes.

            Another argument that has been brought up in the steroid debate in baseball has been to legalize steroids for all players. Then, theoretically, it would be an even playing field. However, this argument is usually a desperate effort by those that just want to see the conversation end and enjoy baseball again by assuming there are no cheaters. The dangerous and slippery slope becomes how badly do you want to play professional baseball? Bad enough to destroy your body? We see the negative aspects of this thinking today with the NFL and concussions. Bad enough to spend thousands of dollars on a lab that designs the best new steroid? We saw how that worked out with the BALCO scandal. Bad enough to never be seen as a better player than those in the annals of baseball history? We see that sad debate with Barry Bonds (who never tested positive by the way) being compared to Ruth, Mays, and Aaron. The idea to just let players do whatever they want to gain an edge is ludicrous. You might as well legalize pitchers doctoring the baseball. Or maybe we should allow runners to tackle fielders to prevent a double play. Or how about letting catchers put their glove in the way of a batters swing? You cannot allow legalization of actions or behaviors that compromise the integrity of the game.

            Baseball is America’s pastime. It deserves to be first in a young boy’s mind of what sport he wants to play. It deserves to be a uniting bond between generations. It deserves to be celebrated as the oldest professional sport in the United States. Unfortunately, more and more people are becoming disillusioned with the game because of the issue of steroid use among players. If Major League Baseball would increase the punishments of positive tests and take preventative steps in the form of educating young ballplayers, then maybe my son will grow up loving the same sport that I do. A cleaner, more educated sport.

More than a Home Run

Today marks the 61st anniversary of Bobby Thompson of the Giants connecting on a three run homer off the Dodgers' Ralph Branca. The homer won the National League Pennant for Thompson's club over their heated rivals and sent radio commentator Russ Hodges off the deep end with his crazed, repeated shouting of "The Giants win the pennant!" The dinger became known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" and is one of the most memorable moments in baseball history.

A famous event that should be remembered in the annals of baseball, but I remember it for a reason off the field. Obviously as a Giants fan I love that we beat the Dodgers, but I remember the event for what happened next. Thompson and Branca became great friends. Their names would forever be linked by history, but they put their team loyalties aside and spent many years even making appearances together.

The Giants/Dodgers rivalry is arguably the most heated and bitter rivalry in sports (with honorable mentions to Yankees/Sox, Lakers/Celtics, and Packers/Bears). Players for both teams were expected to hate each other which makes the Thompson/Branca friendship all that more special. It reminds me of the relationship I have with my best friend.

My friend and I are on opposite sides of this same line, he being a die hard Dodger supporter. We are constantly sending barbs back and forth, whether baseball is in season or not. We have the argument over who had the greater players. We argue about his team not winning a ring since 1988 and my team finally winning their first ring in San Francisco in 2010. I'm sure the rivalry will even get passed on to our sons who are only a month apart in age.

Even with our rivalry, he is my closest friend. We do life together. We not only talk about sports, but our kids, our wives, our jobs, what the future holds, etc. And in baseball, our similarities and agreements far outweigh our disagreements. Mickey Mantle is our favorite player. We agree with Crash Davis that astro turf should be outlawed. We think that the National League is where real baseball is played and that it takes more managerial skill without the DH. Even our all-time lineups are similar: Gehrig at first, Hornsby at second, Wagner at short, etc.

Raise your hand if you have been guilty of using this sentence: "I hate (insert team) fans." I did. For the longest time, I would use this sentence to refer to Dodger fans and Red Sox fans. The reason I stopped was because of a trip to Fenway Park that was one of the greatest experiences I've had in baseball.

I share this story to hopefully bring baseball fans together. Stop the hate (ok, cheesy civil rights reference, but you get my point). Baseball is a great game that should be enjoyed regardless of where our loyalties lie. I pick a team to root for in the World Series every year, whether or not my team is in it. Some may argue that I'm not a true fan because of this, but I don't care. I love baseball and will choose to enjoy it no matter who is playing.

Greatest Shortstop Ever?

I'm feeling rather sentimental today. Why is that? Because 17 years ago a boy was watching on TV as his hometown California Angels hosted the Baltimore Orioles and his favorite player Cal Ripken, Jr. He wasn't watching just any game though. This was special. On this night, the boy was seeing history. A record once thought impossible to break was falling: 2,130 consecutive games set by Lou Gehrig. The man who revolutionized the shortstop position had officially played more than 13 seasons of baseball without missing a game. The boy watched wide eyed as the game was delayed more than 20 minutes as his hero trotted around the field to the applause of fans and fellow players alike. He also homered in the game.

If you didn't guess, that 9 year old boy was me. And I still have a poster of Cal Ripken, Jr. in my home. He was not only a great player but a great person. I remember going to multiple games where he would stay for hours afterwards signing autographs. I was the greatest example of hard work, dedication, humility and sportsmanship. I also remember him in his last All-Star game where he was scheduled to start at third base. All of a sudden Alex Rodriguez comes walking over from his shortstop position and tells Cal to switch him places. Cal wouldn't do it but A-Rod insisted and Ripken was forced to play his natural position one last time.

So is he the greatest shortstop ever? Well, in all honesty no, he isn't. That distinction belongs to one of the greatest players ever in Honus Wagner, but Ripken's close. Everyone knows him for the consecutive games streak (which he finished at 2,632) but they forget his amazing stat line. Let me throw some numbers at you. He was an All-Star 20 out of his 21 years. He won Rookie of the Year. He won MVP twice (finished 3rd another year). He is one of only eight players in history to hit 400 homers and get 3000 hits. He accounted for more than 3300 runs (1647 runs and 1695 RBIs). He has the highest WAR (wins above replacement) of any shortstop besides Wagner. And he was a first ballot Hall of Famer. He would easily make my all-time roster, albeit as a backup.

Now we get to enjoy the "man of a thousand swings" as an analyst for TBS baseball. In whatever capacity he is in, Cal Ripken, Jr. is one of my favorite people in the game and young ballplayers everywhere can learn something from him.

Olympics or Bust

Is anybody else bummed that with the Olympics just days away that baseball, America's pastime and now popular all over the world, won't be featured?

Baseball and softball won't be a part of the Olympics this year or in 2016, however efforts are being made to get them reinstated for the 2020 games. The two sports have united under one banner to try to convince the IOC to let them back in. They will be competing with other sports to fill one vacancy. The baseball and softball tournaments would theoretically last anywhere from 6 days to two weeks. One of the biggest sticking points is if Major League Baseball will allow their players to participate, as the Olympics fall in the middle of their regular season.

Call me crazy, but it's my personal belief that being picked to represent your country, win a gold medal, and hear your national anthem as you stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow American athletes ranks higher than anything MLB can offer. They tried to recreate these feelings with the World Baseball Classic, which, although a very successful event, doesn't compare with the Olympics. And with Japan now demanding a higher percentage of that event's receipts, maybe Major League Baseball should join the fight to reinstate baseball as an Olympic sport. But the problem remains. How do you pull America's best athletes out of the middle of their season and send them to an international tournament? And not just the Americans, but Dominicans, Cubans, Japanese, etc.

Take a page from the NHL. Hockey may have problems, but how they compensate for the Olympics isn't one of them. For baseball, the timing for the Olympics couldn't be better. They take place right around the trading deadline every four years. So here is what I propose. Skip the All-Star game every Olympic year and take a two week break for professional players to represent their countries in the Olympics. I know baseball traditionalists will go berserk without the annual popularity contest, and I'm as conservative as most people in baseball, but MLB can afford to skip its Midsummer Classic every four years. It will also give MLB fans something to focus on over the break: the trade deadline. It will almost be an additional off-season of wondering who will land where. Two weeks also gives a lot of time for those players being dealt to acclimate to a new home. Also a plus for the two week break idea is coaches for the Olympic teams will have enough time to play with that if they use their players wisely, they can use their whole roster without compromising a player's availability for their MLB team (unlike the All-Star game where multiple pitchers can't participate due to needed rest). The break also won't adversely affect the schedule. The games missed during the Olympics can be played at the "All-Star break" and tacked on to the end of the season. The break will also add some excitement creating a sense of urgency for teams knowing there's less than two months left in the season.

At the end of the day, I just want baseball back in the Olympics, but that may not happen without MLB support. In 8 years, I'd much rather be watching my favorite sport in the world than karate, squash, wushu, roller sports, climbing, or wakeboarding. Those are the other sports vying for the open slot in 2020. If you're reading this blog, then you probably agree that baseball is a way better option than those.

Halfway Home

All right, it's All Star Tuesday, which means kicking back with a beer and watching the National League hopefully beat the American League again and, of course, midseason awards. My picks for the major awards in both leagues:

A.L. MVP: Josh Hamilton
And it isn't even close. The dude is leading the league in 2 of the 3 Triple Crown categories (HR and RBI), is in the top 10 in basically everything else and is leading the team with the second best record in baseball. If that doesn't make you an MVP, then I don't know what does. Honorable Mention: like I said, not close but if I had to pick a few then Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, and Paul Konerko.

A.L. Cy Young: Justin Verlander
My heart wanted to pick Jered Weaver of my hometown Angels, but with him having a brief DL stint I have to go with the guy who's 1st in K's, 2nd in ERA, 1st in Innings Pitched, and 3rd in Batting Average Against. He is down at 7th for Wins, but most of that has been bad luck. He has still been his dominant self. Honorable Mention: Jered Weaver, David Price, and Felix Hernandez.

A.L. Rookie of the Year: Mike Trout
Look out. If Hamilton goes down, Trout could become only the third player in history to win ROY and MVP honors in the same season. He's leading the league in Batting Average and Stolen Bases (which means he is messing with pitchers all over the field), and since his call up in late April, he has rejuvinated a severely underperforming Angels team from the important leadoff spot. Honorable Mention: Yu Darvish (although in my humble opinion, he doesn't count as a real rookie)

A.L. Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter
If the playoffs started today, the Orioles would beat out perrenial powerhouses Boston, Tampa Bay, and Detroit for the final spot. A lot of that has to do with the quiet perseverance of Buck Showalter. He has done this before (see Diamondbacks and Rangers), but now he is doing it in arguably the toughest division in baseball. He deserves some recognition for it. Honorable Mention: Robin Ventura, Ron Washington, and Joe Girardi

N.L. MVP: Andrew McCutchen
Believe it. A Pirate will win the MVP, especially if they hold on to that ever so tough first place slot in the Central. This was a close race, but it's hard not to pick a guy who signs an extension with one of the worst teams in baseball over the last decade and then leads them to first place in a brutal division. Oh, and by the way, he is in the top 5 in just about every statistical category while leading the league in hitting and playing a stellar center field. Honorable Mention: David Wright, Joey Votto, Carlos Beltran.

N.L. Cy Young: R.A. Dickey
Has a chance to win the pitching Triple Crown (Wins, ERA, K's) and, along with David Wright, has seemed to will the Mets into the playoff race. Joining the ranks of great knuckle ballers like Niekro, Wilhelm, and Wakefield, he could best them all by becoming the only one to ever win the Cy Young. Honorable Mention: Matt Cain, Gio Gonzalez, and Lance Lynn

N.L. Rookie of the Year: Bryce Harper
Rarely does such a hyped prospect live up to expectations, but Harper has helped lead a young Nationals team to first place in the East since his call up in April. In only 63 games, his aggressive play has overshadowed his mature hitting approach (53 walks and a .280 avg), but his daring on the basepaths and in the field has invigorated a mediocre baseball town in D.C. Honorable Mention: Wade Miley

N.L. Manager of the Year: Clint Hurdle
Did I mention the Pirates are in first place? Go ahead, look it up. I'll wait. Another manager who's done it before (see Rockies), Hurdle has taken Pittsburgh from a laughing stock franchise to holy cow these guys are a good team. Outside of McCuthen, they don't have a single .300 hitter in their lineup. They don't have a single pitcher remotely in the Cy Young race. How are they doing it? Clint Hurdle. Honorable Mention: Don Mattingly, Davey Johnson, and Bruce Bochy.

There you go. I hope some of these picks hold up. I'd love to see the Pirates make a run and Andrew McCutchen get his due. I'd love to see Josh Hamilton run away with the MVP again. I'd love to see an old knuckleballer prove it's not just a gimmick pitch. I'd love to see the A.L. Cy Young race come down to the wire again between two of the most dominant pitchers in the game. I'd love to see the league's future talent become the talent of right now. This is why we love baseball.

Hall of Fame

With the season ending injury of the greatest closer of all time this week, I got to thinking about hall of fame players. Guys that fathers and grand fathers tell the younger generations about. Reminiscing about having the privilege of seeing the dominant players of all time take the field. So I thought, what players will I be passing on to my son? What players do I get excited about one day saying "I saw him play." So here are a few picks I came up with, starting with Sandman...

Mariano Rivera
I fully admit that I'm a Yankee hater, but you can't find a better closer or person. If a batter knows exactly what pitch is coming and he throws it right by them anyways, that's dominance. And in an age of the 3 out closer, Mo has often been called upon to get 4-6 or more. I hope he is able to come back and go out on his own terms and gets the recognition he deserves.

Ivan Rodriguez
Not only a great offensive catcher, but probably the best defensive backstop since Bench. I remember seeing him throw a guy out at second from his knees. That's a cannon. He recently announced his retirement so we will see him giving a speech in five years.

Chipper Jones
Growing up as a switch-hitting infielder, I idolized Chipper. Accomplishing the rare feat of spending his whole career with one team, Jones is another guy that is struggling against injury in his last years. Hopefully he will get one more shot at the playoffs this year and will be able to retire in peace.

Albert Pujols
He just signed a 10 year deal, but he could retire tomorrow and walk into Cooperstown. Pujols has accomplished in 10 years what most players can only dream of. Entering conversations with the likes of Ruth, Mays, Mantle, etc. Pujols will be heading directly to the Hall when he hangs them up.

Those are my guys. There are a few other sure-fire hall of famers I left out that I'm sure will come up when reminiscing with my boy, guys like Ripken, Griffey, Bonds, and Jeter, and I can't wait to follow in the traditions of multiple generations of men saying "I remember when..."

Opening Day 2012

Happy Opening Day everybody!! With the season kicking off tonight with the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals playing the revamped Miami Marlins, it’s time to start the blogging year with my predictions for the division and wild card winners. Let’s jump right in with the beasts of the East…

American League East-New York Yankees

This division is LOADED this year. From Boston’s bats, to Toronto and Tampa Bay’s pitching, to the Yankees’…well, they’re the Yankees. The poor Orioles don’t stand a chance. I’m taking the Yankees to pull it off this year, but it won’t come easy. They seem to have the best, well-rounded team. If Boston’s pitching is solid look for them to make a run. The Jays and Rays will be great soon, but the Bronx Bombers are built to win right now.

American League Central-Detroit Tigers

Can anybody dethrone the team with a great pitching staff and great lineup that also happened to land one of the better hitters in baseball? I think not. Look for Detroit to run away with this one.

American League West-Los Angeles Angels

The noisiest division during the offseason is going to be exciting to watch. The Angels added the best hitter and best pitcher on the free agent market (Pujols and Wilson), and the Rangers and A’s signed hyped foreign prospects (Darvish and Cespedes respectively). The Rangers have had a lock on this division the last couple years, making it to the Series both years, but this looks to be the Angels time to shine. With arguably the best pitching staff in baseball, and an all of a sudden scary hitting lineup, Arte Moreno’s beefed up payroll is my favorite to go all the way this year.

American League Wild Cards-Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox

Texas has made the World Series the last two years and it’s not a fluke. Just because they will lose the division to the rival Angels this go round, doesn’t mean they won’t be a great playoff team. The circus that is Boston will benefit from the extra Wild Card slot created this year. They have a suspect pitching staff, new manager, and have already had their share of controversy this off season, but you can’t overlook that lineup. They will barely beat out a young Tampa Bay team.

National League East-Philadelphia Phillies

This will be a fun division to watch because of so many unknowns. How are the new-look Marlins going to play? Can a young Nationals team finally start to pull themselves out of the basement of the division? Can Atlanta’s young and talented pitching staff compete with the veteran studs of Philly? Doesn’t New York have two baseball teams? (Sorry Mets fans, but they won’t hardly compete this year) I’m taking the Phillies this year purely on their pitching. The window is closing fast on them with their injury-prone stars (I’m looking at you Rollins, Utley, and Howard) but the Braves and Nationals are probably one more year away and I rarely believe in a team with as much change as the Marlins faced this year.

National League Central-Milwaukee Brewers

This division lost its two biggest stars, yet it’s still one of the most intriguing. It looks to be a 3 horse race between the Brewers, Cards, and Reds. I’m taking the better pitching staff. All three have great offensive weapons, but in a pitching-heavy league, Milwaukee gets the edge.

National League West-San Francisco Giants

Just call it the Black and Blue Division. The teams in this division seem to beat up on each other every year to the point where the untrained eye thinks it’s one of mediocrity. However, don’t sleep on whoever limps into the playoffs from the West (see 2010 Giants). The 2011 division winning Diamondbacks decided to mostly stand pat, while Colorado and San Fran added some under the radar pieces. The Dodgers are a year away from competing again, so look for a tight 3 team struggle that may cost the second place team a wild card slot. I’m taking San Francisco to squeak by Arizona in the last week of the season, again going with the best overall pitching staff.

National League Wild Cards-St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves

The World Champs may not win their division, but that didn’t seem to stop them last year. Even without Pujols, they field a tough lineup and deep pitching which will carry them into the playoffs once again. With a year now under their belt, look for the Braves young pitching staff to carry them into the extra Wild Card spot, barely edging out the Reds and Diamondbacks.

Let the debating begin as we sit back and enjoy the show…