It's not that we have a problem with athletes using steriods-this seems pretty obvious if you just open your eyes for a moment and take a look at the size of some of the players who are currently under fire for alledged use of illegal substances-it's that we have an even larger problem of ethics, or the lack there of. The sporting world is a double edged sword: on one hand we have folks who relentlessly broadcast the evils of illicit drug use and how they lead to an inevitable downward spiral; on the other hand, we have athletes and their supporters-whether this is the owners, managers or fans does not matter, take you pick-demanding greater and more spectacular results from the players. It does not help matters that their simply must be some sort of condonment of this behaviour, otherwise it would not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form. So here comes the harder question we must all answer...
Is there a workable solution to this situation that will actually accomplish something? Off-season testing would be a good place to start. Huge monetary penalties-the kind tied to a players salary-should be the next step. Who wants to risk being suspended for half the season and losing half of their yearly income in order to increase their batting average 25 points or to steal 5 extra bases? I like to think players are intelligent to figure this out for themselves and if they make the wrong choice and get caught, c'est la vie!
Seriously, I love watching Barry Bonds hit spectacular homers just as much as the next guy. However, will things balance out if all this drug use ends immediately? Or will they trade these guys because their stats drop by a few percentage points? My biggest fear is that fans will be severly disappointed and ticket sales will drop off, resulting in a huge decline in network broadcasts revenues, and therefore less televised games. Oh, sure it will eventually level out and things may improve, but this is not a chance I am willing to take. But, then again...
Those up-and-comers in athletics would then not be at a disadvantage if all there was to worry about was their individual performance, and not their inability to compete against those who are taking illegal drugs to enhance their chances of winning medals or to be chosen during the first round draft picks. And hey, maybe ticket prices will fall when owners attempt to increase attendance and more folks would be able to afford to attend major sporting events. An added bonus: not having to listen to John McCain threaten us all with more legislation.
Competition is the nature of sport; doing what it takes to make the cut, break the record, to win the game. Illegal drug usage tarnishes the name of those who use them in order to better their abilities, and in doing so, places an unfair burden upon those who choose not to: having to compete in an uneven playing field.
Of course, now it feels even better knowing the Yankees lost to the Red Sox even with Giambi's habit.
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