Steroids And Baseball

Matthew Kramer

Russell Crooks

English 308J

16 August 2009

Steroids and Baseball

Baseball is America’s pastime. There are few things more American than watching a baseball game in the stadium, eating an all beef hot dog, a bag of peanuts, and drinking an ice cold beer. Baseball is a timeless tradition that has been shared by billions. Unfortunately, over the past few decades, the game has been soiled by dishonest athletes looking for an upper hand on the competition. Hundreds of professional baseball players have been caught using steroids or other illegal substances banned by the MLB. Some argue that this makes the game more interesting to watch, while others argue that it destroys the integrity of the game. Steroid usage not only takes away from the history of the game, but it also jeopardizes the safety of the athletes that take them. In 2005, the MLB finally instated harsher punishments for violators of the substance abuse policy. The only way to stop steroid abuse and restore the integrity of America’s pastime is to create punishments so harsh for violators that athletes will not want to take the risk.

Many people know that using steroids make you stronger, but few know how the drugs work in the body. According to Dr. Josh Dines and Dr. Rock Positano in their article “Steroid Talk Rages On” they explain how steroids work. “[Anabolic steroids] work by increasing protein synthesis in muscle cells, stimulating the body to release endogenous growth hormone, and reversing the effects of the body’s naturally occurring cortisol, which is a catabolic hormone. A net effect of these actions is increased muscle mass and strength” (1). This unnatural increase in muscle size and strength comes at a risky price. Dr. Dines and Dr. Positano go on to explain the possible side effects of using steroids including “High blood pressure, increased cholesterol, acne, clotting disorders, liver damage, depression and psychosis…. Men have reported cases of impotence, development of breasts and shrinking of their testicles” (1). Steroid users are also more prone to sports related injuries. “Steroid use can alter the microscopic structure of tendons, increasing their risk of rupturing. Achilles tendon, quadriceps tendon and distal biceps tendon tears have all been associated with steroid use” (Dr. Dines, Josh, and Dr. Rock Positano 1). By ending steroid use you only make yourself more prone to injury, “When steroids are discontinued, the muscles lose some of their strength, increasing the stresses seen by the ligaments” (Dr. Dines, Josh, and Dr. Rock Positano 1). Effects of steroid use can range from any of those previously stated, to death in certain cases. Despite all the health risks, it doesn’t deter professional athletes from experimenting to get the upper hand.

In June 2009, a report was released with a list of names of athletes who tested positive in 2003 for steroids. Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and Mark McGwire are a few names of those who tested positive over the past decade. In 2001, Barry Bonds broke Mark McGwire’s home run record by hitting 73 homers in a single season; prior to this, Bonds has never hit more than 50 home runs in a single season. In Alex Rodriguez’s case, “[Rodriguez] and a cousin obtained a steroid Rodriguez called ‘boli’ during trips to the Dominican Republic and Rodriguez admitted using the substance from 2001 to 2003” (Ortiz 1). Jorge Ortiz goes on to explain, “Rodriguez has close ties to Dominican trainer Angel Presinal, who has been banned from major league clubhouses for a link to steroids detailed in the Mitchell Report” (1). I think that out of everyone who was caught using steroids, A-rod handled it the best. He admitted to it, and he apologized; he blamed it on being young, stupid and naïve. It was just released in June of 2009 that Manny Ramirez tested positive in 2003. USA Today and others report, “In Ramirez’s case, the drug in question is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a women’s fertility drug…. It can be taken by men after using steroids to jump-start the body’s natural testosterone production” (Baseball Benches 1). Manny was the first well known player to receive the 50 game ban.

In 2005, the MLB provided harsher punishments for violating the substance abuse policy. For the first offense, a player is suspended for 50 games without pay. For the second offense, a player is suspended for 100 games without pay. A final third offense results in a lifetime ban for that player. The USA Today comments on Manny Ramirez’ 50 game ban, “Perhaps baseball finally means business about going after the drugs that have tarred the sport and its record book. And if baseball can suspend the Dodgers’ outfielder at a time when his team was on a record breaking home winning streak, perhaps the sport is finally putting health above profits” (Baseball Benches 1).

Consequences of steroid use put into effect in 2005 are a step in the right direction. We can only hope that the number of steroid, or other drug, abusers will dwindle over the next few years. If not, the MLB may have to enforce harsher consequences, such as, denial into the Hall of Fame. Few athletes desire to be remembered as one of the greats denied due to drug usage. Eliminating steroid use is the only way to get baseball back to its pure form, America’s pastime.

Works Cited

"Baseball benches Ramirez." USA Today (n.d.). Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 16 Aug. 2009 site=ehost-live>.

Dr. Dines, Josh, and Dr. Rock Positano. "Steroid Talk Rages On." Daily News [New York] 22 June 2009, Sports; Pg.55 sec. Print.

Jorge L. Ortiz. "MLB pushes steroid education." USA Today (n.d.). Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 16 Aug. 2009 site=ehost-live>.