The history of performance enhancing drugs is a long and complicated one. Ancient Scandinavian tales tell of Berserkers who were able to gain a special boost to strength and stamina for battle by drinking a special concoction of herbs. In World War II, both Allied and Axis powers used amphetamines to enable soldiers to fight longer and harder. And these same soldiers came home with the knowledge of these drugs, and their potential for benefitting performance in athletics. PEDs in sport can be traced back at least to the early 19th century, when they were used in distance and endurance races, so as to enable competitors to race for days on end with almost no rest. PEDs in baseball also date back to the early ages of the sport. Players such as Pud Galvin in the 1890s became known for their use of drugs and substances intended to enhance their athletic performance. And while the use of these substances is certainly not exclusive to baseball (see Lance Armstrong, Abel Xavier, Shawne Merriman), the association of the sport of baseball with these drugs is not due entirely to public opinion. The MLB has long been known for PED use and yet was one of the last major sports to add these substances to its banned substance list in 1991, and did not begin testing for PEDs until 2003, and did not begin issuing penalties for their use until several years later. So to say that baseball is changing in the prominence of PED use is likely incorrect, as they have clearly been around as long as the sport itself. But what has been changing, is the exposure of this use, the acceptance of this use by the public, and the image of the MLB because of it.
Jose Canseco's 2005 book "Juiced" seemingly began the modern outcry about PED use, and with it, effected at least the next decade of the sport. Canseco's named several prominent baseball players who he believed to be using steroids along with himself, and also suggested that as many as 80% of MLB players use, or have used performance enhancing drugs. Directly following this book, several of the top MLB players of the day were investigated for PED use including record holder Mark McGwire. Not too long after this PED scandal follows the BALCO scandal, in which the BALCO nutrition center was accused of distributing PEDs to many MLB players. These players include (at the time) hall of fame shoe-in player Barry Bonds, the career and single season record holder for home runs. Since then many other players have been accused, have tested positive, or have admitted to the use of PEDs, including the BioGenesis Lab scandal currently underway in which over 20 MLB players are facing suspensions of 50 or even 100 games. Because of the pomposity of the MLB and the authority of the MLB players association, these players have often faced little to no consequences for their breaking of league rules, and cheating, often suffering suspensions as short as 10 days, otherwise known as a short vacation. Even now, as players are being investigated by Bud Selig the MLB commissioner, they are simply refusing to cooperate with investigators, again with little to now consequences. How can a league pretend to have authority over these players, while allowing them to disrespect the authorities and face no repercussions? It even escalated to the point that the United States Congress was forced to intervene and called several players to stand trial for their PED use, as well as perjury and lying to officials regarding this use. But players still do not see the problems here, and continue to be protected by the players association and the league.
Today's culture of social media, Internet access, and instant connect-ability is one that leads to exposure of all aspects of the lives of public figures. That means it is almost impossible for anyone in the eye of the media to do anything without it being known by someone, and shortly after that - everyone. This means that Major League players have to know that there is no way they could get away with these illicit actions, they simply don't care. The MLBs arrogance dates back to the joining of the National and American Leagues in 1903, and then the failure of the Federal League in 1915, due to the MLBs monopoly on baseball commerce. Major League Baseball continues to be the only real monopoly allowed in the United States, and this anti-true exemption has held up in many courts including the US Supreme Court. While this may not truly effect actual baseball and business operations, it contributes to this sentiment that baseball is an entity of its own, not subject to the rules of the rest of the country. The MLB players association (MLBPA) also does an excellent job of contributing to this attitude. Players facing suspensions for illegal steroid use can appeal these suspensions, and continue playing until their appeal is heard. This means players can continue playing anywhere from a few weeks to an entire season after they are exposed as PED users. And it was not until the United States Congress threatened legislation regarding steroid use that the MLBPA agreed to a 50 game suspension for steroid use (100 games for 2nd offenses). Now that baseball is no longer truly "America's pastime", and the NFL is king, something needs to change, or the MLB will fall by the wayside.
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| Mark McGwire: Synonymous with PED use |
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| Barry Bonds: Record holder and PED user |
I firmly believe that individuals that are paid millions of dollars a year to play a game should be completely responsible to the organization that is paying their salary, if they refuse to follow this organizations rules. And yet it is still the case that these players do not care about consequences of their actions, because they are not severe enough. The MLB still refuses to issue widespread suspensions for players who test positive for PEDs, and seem to only do so when outside sources publicize names of players involved in this activity. The only way to truly eradicate PEDs in baseball is to increase more stringent testing policies, and for the league to be able to void the contracts of players found guilty of using these drugs. The only thing these players seem to respond to is money, and taking away their money (other than measly pocket-change fines) is the only way to entice action. This would incentivize both players and teams to eliminate PEDs, as the players don't want to lose this money, and the teams don't want to lose their players.
There is a considerable voice in society saying that the MLB should ignore PED use altogether, and accept it as part of the game, and possibly even regulate it so as to help with the health issues associated with these substances. There is certainly something to be said for this, given the historical place of PEDs in the sport, and this would partially help baseball save face if players are continuing to defy the authorities. But I still feel as though the negatives outweigh the positives, and allowing PEDs would do more harm than good. For one, it is impossible to maintain authority if when your authority is challenged, you simply give in. But more important than that in my opinion is the health risk and the trickle down effect that the use of PEDs would undoubtedly have. Players would feel the pressure to dope in order to compete, and even players who are uncomfortable with it would give I'm to remain competitive in the league. And as professionals go, so go the amateurs. College and high school players would almost certainly begin heightened patterns of PED use, leading to health issues at younger ages, ad more long term damaging effects. In my opinion, the only way for baseball to regain its prominence in America is to eliminate doping, and crack down in illegal PED users.
Today Baltimore Orioles stud Chris Davis blasted his MLB leading 37th home run, more than any other player in history before the all-star break aside from Barry Bonds in his PED tainted 2001 season. And sadly, it is impossible to look at Chris Davis without somewhat thinking "is he juicing?" While I certainly like to believe this kid is purely natural, I can't help but have the slightest doubt in the back of my head. Davis is closely followed by Tigers player Miguel Cabrera who has 30 home runs, and is coming off a huge triple-crown season (highest batting average, most home runs, most RBIs). Cabrera is another seemingly clean player that is undoubtedly going to be scrutinized in light of the widespread use of PEDs. This is what taints baseball. It is impossible for me, or many fans, to watch a phenomenal player without having the possibility of steroids cross my mind. With even baseball greats such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays using these substances, it seems as though the entire sport is made up of and built on the shoulders of people not afraid to cheat to get ahead. But baseball seems not to care, and continues to dance around the topic without making any real headway. Until the league decides to crack down on PED users and hit them in the pocketbook, there will still be players who know the indecisiveness of the MLB and the protection of the MLBPA are enough to facilitate their cheating.
God Bless,
Joel Childers
- The Naturalized Texanian
UPDATE:
In the 12 hours or so since finalizing this post I've seen two very interesting things regarding this topic. The first was a commercial for a testosterone supplement, advertised by none other than Jose Canseco. It's quite funny and remarkable that Mr. Canseco would want to be associated with even more testosterone supplements, but just goes to show you how little these players care. The other is an article on ESPN.com about Chris Davis, and the possibility of him getting to 62 home runs, which would break Roger Maris's record of 61. Except the record is currently 73, set by Barry Bonds. Which one is the true home run king? Click here for the article.
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