It was 1985 when Barry Bonds made his debut in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished his debut year in 6th place for the NL Rookie of the Year award, and slowly declined for the next three years. Then; in 1990, he shot out of the gates and was in the running for NL MVP 15 years straight, winning 7 MVP titles.The picture to the right (on the left) shows Barry Bonds when he was first made his debut into the league. The picture on the right shows Barry Bonds 15 years later.
Now we can all agree that performance-enhancing drugs are used in every sport, worldwide, by men and women of all ages. Well-known players such as Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, and countless others all have been caught using some sort of performance-enhancing drugs. However; Major League Baseball has started implementing steroid testing, but also allowing "immunity" to whoever comes out and admits to using performance-enhancing drugs.
Now, this brings up the argument that players such as Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds have lost credibility and no longer play due to the fact their reputation was shot after being tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. However; Alex Rodriguez was granted immunity and still is mounted on a pedestal in New York and still chasing records even after admitting to the use of steroids. Many critics argue that Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa should be stripped of their awards and records due to the fact they were later on caught using steroids. But not many are arguing that Alex Rodriguez should be stripped of his 600 home runs record, or saying that he shouldn't be allowed to play.
I understand that the athleticism in sports has gotten to the point of being the best of the best. There's no denying that, but I believe everyone who is caught using performance-enhancing drugs should be stripped of their records, and banned from their respective sports indefinitely. Taking performance-enhancing drugs doesn't mean you're going to go out there and set Major League records. Skill and genetic capabilities are still required, however; who is to say that the use of performance-enhancing drugs didn't play some major role in someone's Major League record run?
The rules are there for a reason, and anyone caught using the drug should not be granted "immunity" just for owning up to it. They will get caught eventually, and I believe it's just the league being lazy and not wanting to go through the hassle of finding illegal users. If that's the case, then could the greatest hitter of all-time (Pete Rose) been granted immunity if he admitted to gambling on baseball games? Could Brian Cushing been granted immunity and not be suspended for 4 games of the 2010 season if he just owned up to it in the first place? There are many flaws in the system of sports today, some of which probably wont be fixed in our lifetime, but some sort of progression is needed.
What are your thoughts on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League sports?
I think that using performance Enhancing drugs in all sports because it ruins the credibility of all sports. True athletes are your Tom Brady's and Peytons who work their ass off to become the best to ever to play the game. I feel their is a misconception that steroids will make you a better athlete. But all it does is make you faster and stronger.. It doesn't improve your Game IQ which is the most important thing in sports. its like in wrestling, people think its about being strong and fast... but that has nothing to do with the sport. Being able to manipulate your opponents body weight and countering his attacks is allow about mat sense.
ReplyDelete