Sport Report: Steroid Edition

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:14:41 GMT

By Quinn M.

Staff

Ever since we were young, cheating has never been tolerated, whether in school, on the sports field, or elsewhere; yet grown men thought it acceptable to cheat in professional sports, most specifically baseball. Recently, arbitrator Shyam Das cleared Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun of all charges of steroids. Braun, who tested positive for steroids in October, faced a 50 game suspension; however, Braun claimed innocence since first hearing the news. Winning his appeal, Braun became the first MLB player to do so since MLB started cracking down on steroids. Notable athletes that were not so lucky include Manny Ramirez and Rafael Palmeiro, both members of the 500 Home Run Club. Let’s take a look at those who have taken steroids, and how they should be punished. First and foremost, we define anabolic steroids, a type of performance-enhancing drug, as drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the body. Performance-enhancing drugs consist of anabolic steroids along with human-growth hormone injections (HGH) and other hormone/testosterone enhancing drug. Don’t be fooled about these lies that these athletes are telling us; athletes knew exactly what they were administering into their bodies. When taking medicine for a cold, allergy, or some other malady, we always check the label to see what it’ll cure, how much to take, and so on and so forth; athletes are telling us that they had “no clue” that the liquid they were injecting into their bodies. The only partially legitimate excuse for steroids is to heal from injuries quicker, but that is borderline. Let’s play the role of arbitrator and evaluate several high profile cases. All of these players have been connected to steroids but have varied in degrees. Case number one: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers slugger and reigning National League Most Valuable Player Ryan Braun, appealed a fifty game suspension for failing a steroid test. Everybody naturally produces testosterone at a ratio of 1-to-1, but Ryan Braun’s test showed a 4-1 ratio. Braun beat the suspension because of a bizarre set of circumstances surrounding his drug test: his urine sample was left in the tester’s refrigerator instead of being immediately sent to a laboratory. Cleared of his suspension, Ryan Braun heads into the 2012 season working to restore his “good boy” image. Knowing Ryan Braun, the steroid allegations were ridiculous. In the post-steroid era, beginning around 2004, all players are aware of the seriousness of steroids and the harsh consequences. Few players are stupid enough to risk suspensions by taking steroids. I believe Ryan Braun and so should America. Let us move on from the dark days of steroids. If Ryan Braun continues to hit like normal, it will be prove his innocence. Case number two: Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod), future Hall of Famer with over 600 career home runs at only 36. Although A-Rod has posted a couple big seasons after quitting steroids, I find fault with his credibility after he lied about his use of steroids. In a 2007 interview with Katie Couric, Rodriguez denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs; however, in February 2009, Selena Roberts and David Epstein of Sports Illustrated reported that A-Rod had tested positive for testosterone and Primobolan (types of performance-enhancing drugs) during his 2003 season playing for the Texas Rangers, the same season in which he won his first AL MVP award, broke 300 career home runs, and earned a Silver Slugger Awards. Approved by the players themselves with the promise of being unnamed, the survey was conducted by Major League Baseball to see whether a mandatory drug testing program would be necessary. Due to the agreement, no penalty or punishment could be administered for a positive test; although 104 out of 1200 MLB players tested positive. In my opinion, A-Rod lying on national television was worse than actually injecting himself with steroids because if A-Rod admitted use of steroids he could not receive punishment but instead he lost all credibility with this blatant lie. Although A-Rod cannot be suspended for his steroid use, he lost popularity and possibility his spot in the Hall of Fame, all because of a little lie. Case number three: Manny Ramirez, the one and only. Known as much for his crazy antics as his hitting, Manny Ramirez has proven for years that he is an established hitter; however, steroids have minimized the grandeur of his accomplishments. Unlike A-Rod, who stopped steroids in 2003 but lied about his use, Manny Ramirez has been suspended for administering steroids...multiple times. As one of the 104 players who tested positive in 2003, Manny Ramirez’s image was already tainted, but after serving a 50 game suspension in 2009 for taking women fertility drugs, his popularity hit rock bottom. Players have been known to take women fertility drs guilt. Manny still refused to play by the rules, and was suspended yet again for steroids in 20ugs to hide the effects of anabolic steroids, an almost sure sign of Manny’11. Instead of facing the 100 game suspension, Manny Ramirez decided to retire; however, in 2012, Ramirez signed with the Oakland A’s with the hope of returning to the big leagues. Should he even be allowed to play in the MLB? No. In baseball, it’s three strikes and you are out. Manny Ramirez has failed not one, not two, but three drug tests (although the 2003 test results do not technically count), so it stands to reason that everything Manny Ramirez accomplished should be erased from the record books. Although a naturally gifted athlete, would Manny Ramirez hit .312 with 555 home runs without steroids? Unfortunately, we will never know. Though Hall of Fame numbers, Manny Ramirez should never be allowed in Cooperstown (the Hall of Fame). Heck, he should never play again in the MLB for this breach of trust. These three cases represent the varying degrees of usage: allegations of Ryan Braun, lies that A-Rod told, and the three suspensions of Manny Ramirez. Although steroid users deserve their punishments, it still casts a dark shadow over baseball’s image. Hopefully we will rid sports of steroids once and for all.

The Eagle Eye

Sport Report: Steroid Edition