 |
||||||||
 |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
 |
For players' sake, ban steroids
© St. Petersburg Times Think of all the reasons why Major League Baseball shouldn't ban steroids. Then ask yourself this: Are any of those reasons worth developing liver damage? Heart disease? A stroke? How about death? Because every debate about the use of steroids by pro athletes must begin there. With players' health. Surely we all can agree that that's what should be most important here. Granted, the research on steroids' potential to cause death isn't conclusive, but there's more than enough evidence to warrant a ban by baseball. The NFL and NBA prohibit them. What does baseball know that they don't? My guess is, nothing. If baseball sees fit to ban steroids at the minor-league level, why not the majors, too? Geez, wasn't Lyle Alzado's death convincing enough? In the wake of steroid whistle-blowing by Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti, baseball officials have said all the right things. The owners say they are concerned about steroid use and want to tackle the problem. And the players union has said the same thing. But, if they were truly as concerned as they profess, this issue would have been dealt with years ago. More likely, the owners are more worried about a steroid ban adversely affecting hitting power, thus threatening the game's entertainment value. And the union is probably more worried about a steroid ban's negative effect on salaries, which are higher than they've ever been. Basically, both parties are worried about everything except what should be at the top of the list. Players' health. It doesn't matter how widespread steroid use is in baseball. Canseco claims 85 percent. Caminiti initially said it's more like 50 percent, but then backed off that figure. Others say it's less. (Judging by their record, it's obvious none of the Rays are using the stuff.) Clearly, though, the problem is pervasive enough to warrant action. "We've made a comprehensive proposal to the players' association to deal with the issue of steroids and testing for steroids at the major-league level, and we're hopeful that it's an issue that will be resolved in the bargaining process," baseball's chief labor attorney, Rob Manfred, said this week. Fine, but what are we supposed to do in the meantime? Knowing what we know now, in what regard are we suppose to hold Barry Bonds or Gary Sheffield or any other power hitter? They are being viewed these days with a curious eye. Are they on the juice? If so, are their hitting totals legit? Can they be fairly compared with the greats of years past? Instead of worrying if a steroid ban might harm the game's entertainment value, baseball ought to be scared to death about what continuing to allow steroids will do to the integrity of the game. And all the bad press the league is getting for this steroids issue ain't exactly boosting television ratings, either. Bonds, for one, has been fuzzy on whether he is on the juice. There's no evidence to suggest he is, but when asked about it recently, he has reportedly responded by rolling his eyes or making flip comments. If he's on the juice, it would be a serious black eye for baseball. He might soon pass Frank Robinson for fourth on the all-time home run list, but it would be a hollow achievement to most of us. The only way to minimize the scrutiny is to ban steroids and implement random testing. The NHL, which also allows steroids, should do the same. Heck, if steroids are harmful enough to be illegal in this country without a prescription, then they have no place in professional sports. "I really think it's time for testing," White Sox star Frank Thomas said. It is, in fact, high time. As it is, baseball has left itself and its many naturally-buffed stars open to unnecessary scrutiny and second-guessing. It would be great if we could simply continue to warn players about the dangers of steroids and hope their common sense will keep them off the stuff. But, as we know, pro sports is far too competitive for that. If one guy is on the stuff and he's hitting anywhere near .300, other players are going to feel compelled to get on the stuff, too. That's just human nature. Baseball needs to step in and protect its players. Protect them from steroids and from themselves.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
Times columns today Sandra Thompson Lucy Morgan Darrell Fry From the Times Sports page World Cup soccer Motorsports Storm NHL playoffs NBA playoffs Et cetera Colleges Outdoors Preps |
