OPINION: Steroids, The Never Ending Story

By Broadside Correspondent Chris Demarco

When we finally thought the end of the steroids era was near, another bombshell erupts. The deemed savior of our nation’s pastime, Alex Rodriguez, was accused and later admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his time with the Texas Rangers. The feeling of shock fell over the entire league with the sudden announcement. A-Rod was supposed to save the game from the very drug he admits to using. It is like our very own “Say it ain’t so, Joe” moment.

But we need to give him some credit, along with cutting him some slack. He was man enough to admit his wrongdoing unlike superstars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. A-Rod took a page out of his teammate’s book by admitting to his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Last year, pitcher Andy Pettitte was named in the infamous Mitchell Report for using human growth hormone. At the start of Spring Training he admitted his wrongdoing and baseball moved on for him and the Yankees. This situation is similar, just with a much bigger name attached. A-Rod gained a lot of “respect” for manning up to his mistake, and only time will tell if the game will forgive him completely.

The words “culture” and “naïve” were tossed around a lot by A-Rod during his interview with ESPN analyst Peter Gammons and in the subsequent press conference. The “culture” he speaks of was full of users like Bonds but A-Rod cannot blame peer-pressure for his use of PEDs. It is widely believed that Bonds used steroids because he was jealous that he was not getting the attention that sluggers Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa received during the historic home run race in 1998. A-Rod just had the weight of the game on his back when he signed for $250 million for 10 years with the Texas Rangers, which was at the time the most lucrative contract in sports history. He thought that was bad, especially playing in a big market in New York. He also cannot use the word “naïve” to describe himself during that time. He had to be well aware of what he was doing while he was injecting himself with the steroid. Indeed, he was stupid for thinking it was the answer to his problems. But, one has to ask, is the country being fair in its treatment of A-Rod or the way the media has handled his use of steroids?

Last year, the Mitchell Report blacklisted several prominent and lesser-known players in their findings. But the only names we remember from that report are the stars on the field such as Clemens, Pettitte, and Bonds. We already suspected Bonds of using PEDs, but Clemens and Pettitte shocked the world. Only those two players, along with Chuck Knoblauch and Brian McNamee, Clemens’ former trainer, were called to testify in front of Congress. We scrutinize the “superstars,” but forget the not-so prestigious players. What about Fernando Vina, the former second baseman for several teams? What about F.P. Santangelo or Glenallen Hill? The only player that was suspended for using PEDs was Jay Gibbons, who was listed in the report. We have all but forgotten him since he was cut by the Orioles. Is it fair that stars like A-Rod, Clemens, and Bonds are being “abused” for this when so many others have been caught or accused of using PEDs? Regardless of who they are, everyone should be treated fairly. But that is most likely never going to happen because of the media. They only go after the big names that will give them a story. It is unfortunate for someone like A-Rod, who has been deemed ultra fragile.

But everyone seems to be questioning whether or not steroid users should be able to keep their records and awards received during seasons in which they used a PED. Baseball has gotten to the point where steroids are just another aspect of the game that will never go away completely, no matter what commissioner Bud Selig does. Steroids helped baseball when it was in decline, so taking away records would only further tarnish the game. It is obvious that baseball is trying very hard to distance itself from the likes of Bonds and Clemens but unfortunately, they are very much a part of this game. Taking away records and awards would create another problem baseball does not need to deal with.

The one thing A-Rod has that players like Clemens and Bonds do not have is time. He has nine full seasons left after restructuring his contract with the Yankees after the 2007 season. He has plenty of time to try and put this all behind him and show that he is more than a user during his time with the Rangers. It is safe to assume that he will eventually smash Bonds’ homerun record, and he will be the legitimate record-holder because time is on his side and the baseball community will forgive him. He can still be the savior baseball wants and needs.