Steroids

As most of us know, there is more to life then sports. Kids grow up watching their favorite athletes, and view them as role models. Baseball is America’s pastime, and arguably its most popular sport. Unfortunately, baseball has been sending a bad message to children.

When Alex Rodriquez got accused of steroids, the baseball world was shocked. Arguably the biggest baseball icon was accused of cheating. When he admitted to using steroids, the media attacked him with questions for a week and eventually the news dwindled down.

Walking into the Busch Stadium hours before the actual ballgame started, I ran into home run territory with my younger brother to witness greatness.

The year was 1998 and Mark McGwire was the show.

Crack after crack, baseballs soared into the air, falling into us: a sea of ecstatic fans. Thousands of fans congregated to see the spectacle, even at just batting practice.

Batting practice. Less people attended Montreal Expo games.

I was only 10 years old, but I knew this was something special. Something I could relate to future generations.

The other day I was sitting around talking to my buddies, and we were talking about the whole Alex Rodriguez hip injury situation.

It was then that one of my friends said to me how convenient it was for A-Rod, with all of the controversy, to miss the first two months of the season.

And then we thought, "No way...could it be? Could A-Rod have tested positive in the offseason, and this is baseball's way of covering it up?"

Some Bud Selig lovers would say, "No Way!"

As more and more information surfaces regarding steroid use in the MLB, it has become clear that the problem went much deeper than we all thought. Remember, just a few summers ago, we were all touting A-Rod as the "clean" savior who would valiantly reclaim the title of Home Run King from the evil Bonds. 

Back then, I thought the steroid users were sparse and obvious; bulky guys who were smaller at the start of their career. Now, I find myself asking more and more, "Who wasn't on steroids?" 

Easiest way to annoy a St. Louis Cardinals fan?

Tell them Albert Pujols used steroids. That will really fire them up.

Since 2001, the guy has set the league on fire. Also occurring in the early 2000s, baseball's steroids era.

Tell me its not reasonable to question Pujols. Do you remember the last guy with his build?

He played first base for the Cardinals, too, and he hit 70 home runs in 1998. Then, when his playing days were over, Mark McGwire told Congress in front of an eager television audience that he did not want to talk about the past.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is on the precipice of game changing decision...

How will the "Steroid Era" and the Mitchell Report impact future HOF stars Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds?

Normally, this question is answered with a bevy of options from suspensions to rehab. Those aren't going to be enough this time around. Yes, people have admitted they made mistakes and people have said they are sorry.