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The Spinward Marches

by Steve_Edwards from Los Angeles

Last Post 97 days, 16 hours Ago


Steroids. So what?
May 9, 2007 | 4:07 PM
Category: Sports
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Barry Bonds, barring a catastrophe, is going to break one of sports most cherished records; Hank Aaron's 755 home runs, which in turn broke another cherished record, The Babe's 714.

There may be a few souls left who believe Bonds' power is unaided by any controversial substances but the rest of us are pretty much convinced that it's not the ball that juiced...it's Barry. Well, if it is, it's not just Barry, and it's not just Mark and Sammy and a bunch of guys who can hit the ball 500 feet, It's pitchers, and fringe players who hit 260 and think they would be out of the big leagues without a little of the juice.

It was believed that since the mid nineties, baseball has been in the "roid era, but that timing may be off by a decade. Does it matter? Fans love to see home runs and after all baseball players, just like the rest of the world is always trying to find the extra advantage; caffeine, greenies, brownies, tobacco juice, spit, KY jelly.. whatever. So what's the BIG DEAL? How 'bout the simple argument that baseball, where statistics have emotional meaning and the key records are touchstones shared by generations has been living a Big Lie and probably a lot of people knew it and still know it.


Forget the possible health damage done; you could say that's the players' problem, they brought it on themselves, but what about impressionable kids who follow in their paths and want to emulate them? Sports always finds a way to "beat the cup". stay one step ahead of drug tests. Now steroids and amphetamines are tested for, but do you really think players are drug free? Does it matter that HGH, for which there is no test yet might be behind the success of a lot players? Does it matter if there were no baseball rules broken, just laws? What do you think? Cheers !!!!
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Member Comments Total Comments: 53
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ddain read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 7:43 AM

Steve,

I can't imagine that there is anyone who honestly thinks that Barry has been on the juice. What bothers me is that this was a potential problem in the mid 90's, and Bud Selig who was then "acting" Commissioner knew about, but chose to do nothing about it. And when the summer of Sammy and McGwire resurrected baseball's popularity, there was no way that it was going to be publicized. Now, it's too late. Records have been broken and there is no clear proof that Barry took this stuff, although to just look at him, you have to think that it's more than simply weight-lifting.
wrks4me read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 8:21 AM

It's nobody's business how he got in the shape he is. His personal life should be just that, personal. I realize in a perfect world that would work. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.

With that being said, I believe if you choose to make your living in the public eye. You already are aware of the draw backs. One of those draw backs is that what you do in your personal life becomes public. Unfortunately their are so many athletes using this drug that it's not even funny. I realize Bonds didn't ask to be anyones role model, but alot of young kids do want to be just like him. The media I feel should take more responsibility for what they reveal in regards to any celebrities personal life.

Steriods is just another drug out there waiting for the next generation to come along. What's the difference what drug is being taken, why does it have to become public just because they are idolized? I think the media should use more compassion when it comes to the short comings of our celebrities.

Who authorized the public viewing of the David Hasselhof video. Granted, his own daughter filmed it. And someone got paid to turn it over to the media. Tell me please, what good came out of it? Wow, he now knows he's got an addiction. Do you really think he didn't know that before it was released? Don't you think he would have gotten the same wake up call had it only been viewed at an intervention for him?

My point is this. Why is it so important to crush some kids idolistic dreams about a celebrity, just to "expose" him to the public. Alot of young boys look up to famo
blcoffman read my blog
May 10, 2007 | 8:21 AM

Yeah I think it's hurting the sport it's self! I was so into sammy .But I gotta say I don't really care now who's at the plate!Who wants to cheer for a giant roid running to home plate ?? And know one beat these records before roids so we're supposed to believe these guy's could have done this standing next to Hank ?I don't think so.
wrks4me read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 8:23 AM

Cont..

Alot of young boys look up to famous athletes for their abilities. Alot of these same little boys don't have a father in the house, or male mentor they can pattern theirselves after. So if my son where to use his passion for a particular athlete to pattern himself after. What that athlete does behind close doors is none of our business. All that matters to me is that until the athlete is "exposed" my son is giving 110% to be the best athlete, just like his role model. Don't get me wrong, I'm not for the promotion of drugs. Had Bonds been shooting up steriods on national T.V. then that's a whole different issue. All I know is there doesn't even seem to be any substantial facts other than the guy is extremely buff. To support the allegations that he's been or is using steriods. Unfortunately because of the allegations though a lot of little boys and girls just got their dreams crushed. All because the media feels it's their job to "expose" the celebrity for what they really are.

News scoop for everyone, what Bonds really is. He's a great ball player, bottom line. Steriods doesn't make him a talented ball player, it only makes him stronger.

THe talent that God gave him is what the kids are idolizing. Not what he may or may not do behind close doors.
ddain read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 8:25 AM

Yeah, Bonds has talent but if it's enhanced, that the records he has set are tainted. When he was with the Pirates and wasn't on the juice, he already was headed to the Hall of Fame. But since he started hitting the 'roids he is setting home run records he probably wouldn't have set. Sure, he's shortening his life by doing it and that's his business, but when he's doing things that aren't on the up and up, it's everyone's business.
beepbeep read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 8:42 AM

When I go to a sports venue I want to see what the best have to offer. I could care less if these sports stars are on steroids. I want to see big talented guys hitting balls out of the park. And if I can hear the crash of the ball hitting a windshield...thats even better.
blcoffman read my blog
May 10, 2007 | 8:44 AM

I agree you have to be real and when you think of how hard the Old School guy's worked it's just not real or fair! Fine do it but the old school guy's are just as much roll models too. Don't take old school records though ha !
blcoffman read my blog
May 10, 2007 | 8:54 AM

Whats going to happen when Bonds record is smashed in a week from some other roid Maybe we can just let the old school guys keep there records and then start new roid records for these guys
wrks4me read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 9:19 AM

Exactly beepbeep, that's my point.

When did the love for baseball turn from the just the love of the game, to who's going to beat the records.

So ddain let me ask you this. Have you ever done anything in your life that wasn't on the up and up? I know I have, and I know that it's nobody's business but mine and whom ever in my life it may have affected.

Just like it's none of my business that blcoffman takes epilepsy medication. It only becomes my business if it directly effects me or my family.

I'm sorry but as far as I'm concerned most of the kids out there between the ages of 8 and 14 couldn't care less about anything other than themselves, and what they love. By that the time they start caring about what their idol does behind closed doors to achive their status. The parents should have already taught them their values, and the ability to decide between right and wrong. My son has been taught that drugs are wrong, but some people even good people can get caught up in the drug world. That doesn't mean he should. If the parents are doing their job, why does the media have the right to crush my sons impression of his idol at such a young age?

Next thing you'll tell me is that the media has the right to go out and announce "there's no such thing as Santa Clause" Freedom of speech, right? Yet I've never seen that happen, why? Could it be that the media took on the responsibility of not announcing that information even though Santa Clause might not be on the up and up? I don't think they'll ever do that, because they don't want to crush a million kid's dreams.

wrks4me read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 9:20 AM

Cont...

What's the difference? One is harmless and one is potentially deadly. Yet eventually as your kids get older, the truth is revealed on both. I go back to my statement about the parents. By that time if they did their job, they have to trust that the kids will make the right choice between good and evil.
blcoffman read my blog
May 10, 2007 | 10:05 AM

It's always about records are you kidding look at the family whose records were broke by Marks home run record it's all about the records or you wouldn't have your Hank's Or Babe Ruth's !
blcoffman read my blog
May 10, 2007 | 10:26 AM

I was just watching the Good Day show too, when they said epileptics can't drive and I just wanted Steve to know that some can !Sorry about that info it had nothing to do with baseball at all sorry.
Lonster
May 10, 2007 | 10:28 AM

Bonds can lie to everyone but he can’t lie to himself and that’s good enough for me. Once he breaks the record it will always be a questioned and debated accomplishment period. Only Bonds knows if shattering his gift of integrity was worth it. I personally don’t know what I would have done in his position. I like to think the right thing but you really don’t know until you are there. My option on whether steroids give hitters an advantage. If a player has more strength doesn’t that mean more bat speed? He would be able to handle more pitches in and out of his zone? Wouldn’t he have strength to take an outside pitch over the opposite field fence? I don’t think increased strength could help anyone’s hand and eye coordination. But if you already have that talent wouldn’t increased strength enhance that ability? Sore of like a blower does for an engine. The problem I have with this is, by Bonds still trying to break the record and eventually breaking it. He is rubbing the public’s nose in it and I think that’s the real rub not him getting the record
blcoffman read my blog
May 10, 2007 | 10:41 AM

hey wrks4me it's been fun, you have had great points! thanks hope to see you all at the ballpark !!!! Lonster good point too !
beepbeep read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 12:49 PM

Hey, if i'm paying big bucks at the box office, I want my money's worth.

Entertainment...thats what it is!!!

Besides, they get paid way too much money to be role models...
ddain read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 1:08 PM

Wrks4rme,

I do my best to conduct myself with integrity so I can look myself in the mirror and not have regrets and feel bad that I've done something dishonorable. That is worth a lot to me, perhaps not to those who like yourself who admit to doing things not on the "up and up." But integrity means a lot to me, and when people like Bonds, McGwire, Palmeiro do steroids, then it takes away from the integrity of the game, which is what makes sports worth watching. That's why Bonds record isn't something many will admire and few will cheer about. It reeks of dishonesty.
DfDeportation read my blog view my photos
May 10, 2007 | 4:12 PM

What was juiced first? The player or the ball?
beepbeep read my blog view my photos
May 11, 2007 | 6:13 AM

ddain...I had no idea you were a saint.

Saint ddain


I proclaim Friday 5/11 as "Saint ddain" day.
beepbeep read my blog view my photos
May 11, 2007 | 7:06 AM

and come Windex for those mirrors you like to look in.

You're so vain you probably think this song is about you...you're soooo vain...da da da da.
ddain read my blog view my photos
May 11, 2007 | 7:47 AM

I'm not a saint....but I have integrity. That doesn't make me a saint, it makes me have pride in myself.

Keep the jokes coming beep beep, you've found your niche.
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Steve_Edwards

Steve has been the host of GoodDay LA for 13 years and counting. While it seems that he's been on LA tv for 60 years, it's really been since 1978. Steve's been the host of too many shows to mention but a few are: Am Los Angeles, Two on the Town, Live in La,: he has a closetfull of emmys, a star on Hollywood Blvd and looks forward (most mornings) to his time with Jillian and Dorothy, and yes, he reads a lot of the stuff you write!

Member Since: 7/4/2006


 

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