Steroids In Baseball example essay topic

Steroids in Baseball: The Future of Baseball It was a warm, sultry night in September. The fans were crazed in anticipation as Mark McGwire stepped to the plate. With a gentle stretch, he paused, patiently poised, waiting for what would eventually be the greatest hit baseball had ever seen. The pitcher, Steve Trachsel, came set. He shot a determined look to the dirt.

In a rivalry such as this (Cubs, Cardinals) he did not want to be the one to give up the great number 62. He cocked his arm back, to let loose what would be an eighty-eight mile an hour fastball that most men would not see fly by, but Big Mac was not most men. With one mighty swing, sixty-one was no more, ney sayers were silenced, and the game of baseball was changed forever. There was uproar in the park, cheers and screams, laughter and joy, fathers hugged sons and husbands kissed wives. Everyone in the stadium had a story to tell about where they were sitting and what they saw. Too bad many of those stories will not live on, will not be passed down, and might never be heard again.

If you wonder why, the answer is simple, use of anabolic steroids being considered cheating. One of the greatest sports moments since the beginning of baseball should not be tarnished by reports of steroid use. That season helped bring baseball back to the spotlight; made it the American pastime again like it was for our parents and theirs before them. Steroid use has nothing but positive effects on baseball. Steroid use is not hurting baseball, the associated press is with its unmitigated accusations of cheating. Steroids are not cheating; they are the natural progression and way of the future in baseball.

Ever since the first accusations of steroid use made public in 2003, the game of baseball has got a bad rap in the United States. It may have a bad rap right now, but when people understand both sides of the steroid debate, that will all change. The American Academy of Pediatrics is quoted saying", One of the most disturbing effects of steroid use for males is that the body begins to produce less of its own testosterone, as testicles may begin to shrink. Following is a list of some of the other effects of steroid use for males: Reduced sperm count, impotence, and increase in nipple and breast size, enlarged prostate". The major problem with their argument is in the very same article they say quote", Anabolic steroids help build muscle tissue and increase in size acting like the body's natural male hormone, testosterone". It is obvious the player should have the right to weigh the means.

Steroid. org noted only two external side affects (balding, changes in skin) and noted only the following 11 internal changes: Psychic, Feminization, Cardiovascular, Gynecomastia, Growth Deficits, Headaches, Kidney problems, Liver problems, Immune system, Impotence, and Stomachaches. Which all may seem bad but are less of a threat to athletes than most prescribed allergy medicines. The article even goes on to admit, the biggest factor leading to negative side affects is misuse. A regulated and informed usage policy would be very beneficial to the game as well as the athletes themselves. If baseball's administration thinks that steroids are honestly hurting the game so much, why the delay in finding a suitable means of testing?

Players have suggested to Sports Illustrated that: One reason for baseball's slow response is that by making players bigger the average All-Star weighed 211 pounds last year, compared to 199 in 1991-steroids have contributed to one of the greatest slugging booms in the games history. The single-season home run record was broken twice in four years, while the 60-homer plateau has been surpassed six times. Even lead off hitters and utility infielders are hitting home runs in record numbers (qt d. In Caminiti comes clean. S.I. com). The players understand good business and know what is good for the game.

Curt Shilling, pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, says, "We " re playing in an environment in the last decade that's tailored to produce offensive numbers anyway, with smaller ballparks, the smaller strike zone, and so forth. When you add in steroids and strength training, you " re seeing records not being broken, but completely shattered (qt d. In Caminiti). Records set, homers hit, and one hundred five mile per hour fastballs are interesting and exciting. Watching a defensive battle in baseball is like watching paint dry. Fans like baseball for the excitement.

Excitement sells. If something sells it is going to be around in the future. Jose Canseco says in his autobiography: By the time my 8-year-old daughter, Josie, has graduated form high school, a majority of all professional athletes-in all sports-will be taking steroids. And, believe it or not, that's good news", he continues, "I have no doubt whatsoever that intelligent, informed use of steroids, combined with Human Growth Hormone, will one day be so accepted that everyone will be doing it. Steroid use will be more common than Botox is now. Every baseball player and pro athlete will be using at least low levels of steroids.

As a result, baseball and other sports will be more exciting and more entertaining (qt d. In Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids', Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big). The biggest argument against the use of steroids is its long-term effects on the users' body, but even one of steroids biggest opponents D. Gwartney is quoted saying, "This drug was highly discriminated against until it was discovered that the apparent 'edge' it produced was so insignificant that fairness could be maintained". (Gwartney 65) If it is so easy to maintain, then make it available for use by all major league athletes at their digression. It is their body, so it should be their decision. Baseball is more exciting now than ever.

Viewers and patrons alike are loyal. Baseball will survive this small tarnish on the game, but only by embracing the future of the game. If the administration of baseball and the associated press keep dragging our heroes down in the dirt, baseball will find itself on a shelf. The players use steroids to make themselves better, therefore making the game better for us. We as fans can not sit ideally by while the great game of baseball, the American pastime, is drug through the muck that has become the American media. Bigger, stronger, faster; that is the future of baseball.

Whether those things are obtained by natural causes or performance enhancers, we should appreciate great athletes and their means of obtaining greatness. Spreading a dark film over some of the greatest accomplishments in baseball only hurts the game. Limiting the potential of the players only hurts the patrons of this great game. Steroids mean better players. Better players mean better games. Better games mean more fans.

More fans mean a place for baseball in the future. Steroids are the natural progression. Steroids are the future of baseball.