Steroid scandals: to forgive or not forgive

By Sports Editor: Danielle Hamilton

Nowadays, some athletes go to great lengths just to be the best. In professional sports, we often hear of an athlete who has been suspended for the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), which is a reasonable punishment. A performance-enhancing drug is a form of steroids, known as anabolic-androgen steroids or just anabolic steroids, to increase athletes’ muscle mass and strength, as defined by Mayo Clinic.

Testosterone is the main anabolic steroid hormone produced by the body. The two main effects it has are muscle building and male traits, such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Some athletes may take straight testosterone to enhance this and boost their performance. The anabolic steroids that are now in use are modifications of testosterone. Using such steroids to improve athletic performance is not a medically approved use. Consequently, the public sees steroid use in professional sports as “cheating”.

This past season in Major League Baseball (MLB), a PEDs scandal occurred which involved the Biogenesis clinic run by Anthony Bosch. Thirteen athletes in MLB were accused of being connected with this scandal and were suspended.

One athlete suspended in result of this scandal was Johnny Peralta, who was the Detroit Tigers’ shortstop. He accepted a 50-game suspension and was not guaranteed a spot back on the team after the 50 games were done. Luckily for him, he was accepted back, especially after speaking with and apologizing to each player on the Tigers’ roster.

Athletes who are suspended for the use of steroids should be allowed to come back into MLB. A suspension for around 50 days is enough time for their bodies to clean the drugs out of their system, as well as enough time to realize what they did was wrong. Yes, taking PEDs should not be legal in professional athletics, but permanent removal is unnecessary. People make unwise decisions and may be easily persuaded by others. Some athletes may also want to be better and look to the wrong thing to achieve that. Competitiveness can take over one’s mind and make them do anything to win and be on top.

Imagine being kicked out of school and never being forgiven or able to return to any school because you cheated on that one test in math where you got so frustrated and wanted to do well so badly. Kicking an athlete out of the MLB entirely and not allowing them to ever come back sounds reasonable because they have broken a rule and cheated, but the punishment does not need to be taken to such a great extent. In some cases, a 50-game suspension may even be too long. If the athlete admits to using PEDs right away and takes full responsibility for it, then they should not be out for as long as someone who denies it and end up being guilty.

In Peralta’s situation, he came back to the Tigers’ three games before the postseason. The Tigers then proceeded to the playoffs where he made a huge impact. Peralta no longer played shortstop, but he was put in left field. Having his bat back in the lineup may have been the spark that they needed. He went 5-for-12 at the plate in the postseason with many key hits, including a 3-run homerun which tied a game in the postseason.

Such hits can make fans totally forget about the suspension. The use of PEDs should not be forgotten, but it should be forgiven. A resolution to help keep steroids out of MLB could be requiring all players to be tested for drugs more often. Steroid use does seem to be a rising issue, especially with the scandal that occurred this past year.

Using steroids to become a better athlete and boost one’s performance is cheating and not ethical. Although this is true, athletes who use PEDs should be allowed to perform again and should be forgiven for their mistakes. The choices that people make are not always perfect.

Stiffer penalty needed for steroid use

By Staff Writer: Travis Waker

For years baseball has been plagued by a massive steroid scandal that has created mixed opinions among fans, players, and coaches alike. Some believe that players who use steroids are just because they just wanted a competitive edge. Others believe that the suspensions handed out have been fair. Still others believe steroid users should be banned from baseball.

I believe the least common belief that steroid users should be banned for life from the game. The most famous example of steroid use is perhaps New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

Rodriguez broke in with the Seattle Mariners as a shortstop in the late 90s. He was a mere 18 years old and looking to make a name for himself. It was easy to see Rodriguez’s talent and raw skill. He would’ve had a fine career in Seattle if he hadn’t left for Texas and later New York; he may have never been involved in the infamous steroid scandal.

Now his name is tainted in the record books, he has been suspended numerous times. However, after being suspended last year, he announced to his fans, that he would be coming back for the 2014 season.

Another example is Barry Bonds, the all-time homerun leader, with 762 runs, who ruined his career with steroids. Bonds and Rodriguez are almost identical players. They were both powerful players before both their names were involved in scandals.

My personal opinion is that ballplayers who used steroids should be banned for life. Not only did they destroy their bodies and their careers, they also disappointed their teams, who have worked so hard to believe in a teammate and play with them. They are also disappointing their fans who worked hard to support them. Each team was hurt when that player was suspended.

Bonds and Rodriguez are just two of numerous players who have had their name tarnished. Not one player who used steroids really benefited from them in any way. That is why I think players who use drugs should be banned. Maybe this will cause any professional player to think twice.