Are the Best Really the Best?

Thomas Kelliher

Mckoy

English 2

1^st block

4 September 2013

Are the Best Really the Best?

 

In the world of professional baseball, there are two types of players, the players who train to win, and the players who cheat to win. When you hear names like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, and Mark McGwire, what is the first thing that comes to mind; drugs. Major League Baseball has been fighting drugs since 2006 when the Joint Drug and Prevention program was officially established. In 2013, Alex Rodriguez and All-Star Ryan Braun both tested positive for using banned stimulants in the 2013-2014 season and led to an investigation which uncovered the Miami Clinic Biogenesis scandal. This led to the suspension of more than fifteen players. Coaches, players, and fans all screamed for justice. Should players be banned for life if tested positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs? (PEDs)

Performance Enhancing Drugs are usually in the form of a tablet or injected into your system. The effects of PEDs make you more aggressive, cause’s breast tissue development, “roid rage”, baldness, and infertility. The main reason athletes’ use PEDs are because the main objective in baseball is to hit and run. Steroids increase your ability to work out more by decreasing inflammation in the body. Doing so increase power and running speed.

                                   When Commissioner Bud Seilg was asked if he ever considered banning players for one hundred games to lifetime suspension, he replied “That’s something that yes, I do believe should be a topic of discussion.” “The message can’t get much clearer that drugs don’t belong in baseball and don’t belong in sports,” says Philadelphia Phillies interim manager, Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg says that players should receive two to three years suspension for using PEDs. Some General Managers also think the lack of players educated about PEDs is a problem. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr says “lack of education on the real issues” could be why. He says “But I can tell you that in our organization, a lack of being educated about the issues is not an excuse.” Angels center fielder Mike Trout, says that players who use PEDs should be banned for life. “To me, personally, I think you should be out of the game if you get caught” says Trout. Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino said “I was always taught to do the right thing, to do what’s right in your heart. You play the game for the love of it and when it’s over, it’s over. You can’t and shouldn’t artificially try to extend what comes so naturally.” Skip Schumaker said about Ryan Braun “Watching him talk right now makes me sick.”

            My view on PED use in the majors is just about the same view the players have. It disgusts me to see players that kids look up to lies time and time again. It is breaking records that were set by players that played the game correctly and deserve the recognition. I have even played with a kid that takes PEDs. His fastballs are unparalleled when compared to the opposing pitchers. I believe if any type of drug is taken in baseball, you should be thrown out. Like Victorino said, “when it’s over, it’s over.” Players and coaches alike speak in outrage on the use of PEDs. Some scream suspension, others scream lifetime bans. The Biogenesis scandal just might be the last straw on whether baseball continues to suspend or to ban. Players break their fans hearts when they find out their favorite player are taking drugs. It leads kids in the wrong direction and makes them think drugs are the only way to be successful. It destroys the game for players, but more importantly the fans. So should players be banned for taking Performance Enhancing Drugs?