Are You tired of hearing about steroids in baseball? Me Too. It’s time to get back to enjoying the game. Last week, one of Major League Baseball’s most prestigious milestones was reached. Texas Ranger, Sammy Sosa hit his 600th career home run. Other then Sosa, only Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays have reached the 600 homer mark. The problem is, this amazing feat passed by relatively void of the usual media attention and fan fair that would accompany such an achievement.
There’s one major reason for the lack of respect due such an enormous accomplishment. You know what it is. It’s the “S” word. Don’t be afraid. You can say it. STEROIDS. Is that how it’s going to be for now on? Every time someone does something great in baseball, will there always be second guessing and speculation? Did he, or didn’t he? I’m sick and tired of the whole thing. I say, we all just forget about it and move on. That’s all we can do. Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds have put up tremendous numbers over the years. Yes, we all know it was done during the supposed “steroid era”. But the last time I checked, we are innocent until proven guilty in this country. Baseball is, after all the American pastime isn’t it?
I’m not stupid. I’ve seen the physical changes; the exploding biceps, chests, and foreheads. Have you seen a before and after picture of these guys lately? They’re the complete opposite of those slim fast commercials. I just don’t care anymore. I just want to watch baseball as a fan, and treat the great ones as heroes. That is the way it’s supposed to be. I don’t want to analyze every home run and wonder if `roids were involved. Bonds and Sosa have never been disciplined by Major League Baseball for using any type of performance enhancing drugs. Case closed. Bonds and Sosa have been under tremendous scrutiny for years, but until there’s proof; media, fans, and Cooperstown must honor their accomplishments. Even MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, has come out several times and said that he would not be there to witness and acknowledge Bonds, when he hits his 756. Are you kidding me? Bonds is about to become the all time home run leader, and the commissioner is not going to be there. If Selig really feels this way, he should grow some balls of his own, and suspend Bonds. Until then, he should shut up and do the right thing. Whatever he does, he shouldn’t allow Bonds to play the victim in this situation. If Selig doesn’t show, and Baseball doesn’t put on the usual hoopla for the big home run, can you picture the post game press conference? Bonds will be near tears. He’ll probably have one of his sons on his lap. I can hear it now, “nobody ever liked me. Everyone has always been against me”. Please Bud, don’t let that happen. Show up, stand and clap, and be the better man when Bonds hits the record breaking shot.
It’s not just Selig. Yesterday, Jay Mariotti, the windbag on ESPN’s “Around the Horn”, said that he will not vote Sosa or Bonds into the hall of fame. What? Bonds will be MLB’s all time leading home run hitter and Sosa is 5th on the all time list. I’ll say it again. NEITHER ONE OF THESE GUYS HAVE EVER BEEN DISCIPLINED BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FOR USING PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS. Mariotti actually has a vote in the hall of fame balloting. The sad part is there are many other voters who feel the same way. Playing God is not their job. Mariotti used Pete Rose as an example. He said leaving Bonds and Sosa out of the Hall is the same scenario. No it’s not. Pete Rose was kicked out of baseball for life, by the Commissioner. I would understand if Mariotti didn’t want to select Rafael Palmeiro. He tested positive for performance enhancing drugs while in the league. I have no sympathy for him.
Again, that’s totally different. The voters must understand, their job is to cast their ballot because of the on field merits of players. Not to play detective and try to figure out who is, or isn’t using steroids. That’s Baseball’s job. If the players haven’t been disciplined by MLB, then jerks like Mariotti should vote based solely on a player’s performance.
Until Major League Baseball and Bud Selig actually discipline the players from the “steroid era”, there is really nothing us fans can do about it. I say, we just forget about baseballs dirty little secret, and move on. I’m tired of hearing about it. Please, just let me get back to enjoying the game.