By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer December 13, 2007
"NEW YORK (AP) -- Roger Clemens, Miguel Tejada and Andy Pettitte were named in the long-awaited Mitchell Report on Thursday, an All-Star roster linked to steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs that put a question mark -- if not an asterisk -- next to some of baseball's biggest moments."
"Several stars named in the report could pay the price in Cooperstown, much the way Mark McGwire was kept out of the Hall of Fame this year merely because of steroids suspicion."
Thanks, Fuse. I've been waiting for that report to come out. Can anyone tell me what drugs are either illegal or against baseball rules, and when those drugs became that way? I think if someone was using an acceptable (by both state and baseball) drug, that, even though that drug may have been determined later to be not acceptable, nothing should be done. Professional athletes have been using different drugs for a very long time, and, if legal (in both senses), where is the harm? If, however, the drug use came after the drug was declared illegal, then suspensions and/or bans should come into play. Records set while using illegal drugs should be rescinded, too.
Posts: 17653 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
When it comes to the Hall of Fame, there aren't very many HOF-caliber names on that list. And of those that are, the numbers those players posted BEFORE using steroids were such that they should be inducted anyway.
And there is no point in disciplining players, as has been mentioned before, if the substances they used were legal during the time they used them.
One other point to chew on: Gaylord Perry is in the Hall of Fame. He was accused of throwing an illegal spitball. And was, in one instance, caught doing so. And has admitted to doing so. If he made it while "cheating", then it's hypocritical to leave out any potential HOF candidates for using steroids.
Posts: 3477 | Location: Colfax, WA--the home of the world's largest chain-saw sculpture!! | Registered: 06-03-02
Originally posted by DorianGreyed: Can anyone tell me what drugs are either illegal or against baseball rules, and when those drugs became that way? I think if someone was using an acceptable (by both state and baseball) drug, that, even though that drug may have been determined later to be not acceptable, nothing should be done. Professional athletes have been using different drugs for a very long time, and, if legal (in both senses), where is the harm? If, however, the drug use came after the drug was declared illegal, then suspensions and/or bans should come into play. Records set while using illegal drugs should be rescinded, too.
Almost everything in the report involves the use of anabolic steroids prior to baseball instituting testing or considering them against the rules. But, the same steroids were made illegal in the U.S. a few years before that. So it comes down to whether criminal behavior alone is enough to keep you out, and what the twits at the BWAA (after all, baseball writers, not MLB determine who goes to the hall). I suspect that some players who are Hall of Fame locks (like Bonds and Clemens) will not go in on the first ballot as they would without the allegations... but, I am sure that eventually they will get in. In the end they must be considered with regards to their era. And what Clemens and Bonds did with the alleged use of steroids is still head and shoulders above what the many others in the same era, with access to the same compunds, did. In the end I think this report was smoke and mirrors. A bunch of "Sound and fury; signifying nothing" (apologies to Willie Shakespeare). It took John McCain and a couple other useless congressmen to get baseball off its ass, and as long as Selig is the commissioner it is highly unlikely anything will ever change... especially with the players union bound and determined to fight any real and effective testing procedure.
OK.. I am off my soapbox. Here's to 6'7" 300 lb steroid-pumped batters who can hit the ball 1000 feet facing off against 6'7" 300 lb steroid-pumped pitchers who can throw the ball 125 MPH. Can't beat it... might as well enjoy it. Roids Rule !
A crazy society we live in, for sure....
