Within the past couple of weeks, Major League Baseball has handed out two 50 game suspensions. Melky Cabrera of the San Francisco Giants (and hero of the All-Star game) and Bartolo Colon of the Oakland A's were the two who got caught cheating. Do these two suspensions prove that there is still a problem with steroids in baseball?
While these suspensions look bad for baseball, many could see them in a different light. Instead of pointing out that there is still an issue with steroids, maybe this shows that the new testing system is actually working. I believe these suspensions are a good thing for the game.
Throughout the last couple of seasons, pro are always talking about the constant checks and tests they undergo. Testing is being done at a higher rate than ever, and I believe these instances are examples of testing working and finding the true cheaters.
These severe punishments are proof that baseball is cleaning itself up and getting back to a clean game once more. If testing is done constantly and only two have been caught, that's a good ratio of clean players to dirty. The other positive is that neither player is one of the game's elite (although both were having fine seasons).
I will only start to worry when more of these suspensions occur, and if they occur with some of the best players in the world. Until that day, I congratulate the MLB for the job they have done in making its way out of the "Steroid Era." Now they just need to continue to constant checks until the problem is fully behind us!
Andrew
Ok, so the here of the all star game, a guy having a career season, and in possible MVP talks isn't one of the best players in the game? What about Ryan Braun, who tested positive, but got off on a techincality? Is he one of the 'best players in the game'? Yes, Colon isn't one of the best pitchers, but without these PED's, which are not steroids, but synthetic testosterone, he probably wouldn't be healthy enough or strong enough to play. These guys both tested with a 4:1 ration of testosterone, meaning they had 4 times the normal testosterone a normal man would have. You think that's not giving them a competetive advantage? Maybe if I took synthetic testosterone I could be a Major League player too...combine that with the fact that Cabrera created a website to cover up his use and blame it on an over the counter drug obtained through a street dealer, and approved by the players union, and you have a dirty player, who is among the statistical leaders in the game, who actively cheated and actively tried to cover it up. Yes, MLB testing is better than ever, but saying that it is not as rampant as it used to be is plain wrong, bc guys and drugs are better than they used to be, and it is much more well-disguised. I still think its a huge issue, and the 50 game suspensions are necessary. At this point you can never be surprised by who tests positive.
ReplyDeleteMelky is not elite. He is having one great season (and cheating obviously), but to be elite you must sustain a high level of play over a period of time. Elite players are guys like Pujols, Kemp, Cano, etc. Doesn't mean they can't have a great year.
ReplyDeleteColon should have retired years ago, end of story.
And no I don't think it's as much of a factor. I do still think players use things, but not like 5-10 years ago. We'd here about use much more if it was still going on like that.
You are the bigger baseball fan, so if you have an issue with steroids and substances, why do you still care and watch? I personally have no issue with it and it's still boring to watch compared to other sports. My best baseball memories outside of the Braves winning in the mid-90s, is when I watched McQuire chase 62 along with Sosa. Who cares that they were juicing, that was entertaining. Let players use! Nobody is gaining an advantage if everyone is using. Just saying...
Andrew