Skip to main content

Constant Leakage Sheds New Light on Steroids

Today, I think many people are in agreement with White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, when he said, "please, stop. I'm sick of hearing about this" in regards to the latest steroids controversy. And to be honest, how can you not agree with Guillen? It seems the dark cloud that is the steroid era has made its way over us again, and is raining down its drops of allegations, admissions, speculation, and degredation over the game.

However, the truth of the matter is that this is not over. As more names are leaked, and the confirmation of our suspicions occur, the Pandora's box that was the steroid era is exposed and revealed more clearly. Does it change the past? No. Should we change the past? No. Nonetheless, no matter how much certain writers and members of the national media prefer to add asterisks, labels, and cause a frenzy, there are two distinct (and very polarizing) perceptions that are rising from the constant leakage of these names.

The first situation is the greatness of Derek Sanderson Jeter. For over fifteen years, Jeter has embodied what Major League Baseball seeks in one of the faces of the league. As the names are revealed, ones which were synonymous with power, fame, notoriety and the insane, videogame-like statistics, Jeter, on a pace for 4,000 hits, slowly rises as the single greatest talent during the era. In fact, Jeter is the one player that MLB cannot afford to be connected to performance-enhancing drugs. Any other name will not surprise a fan anymore - except Derek Jeter. And that in it's essence shows how special of a talent Derek Jeter was, and is.

On the other hand...

The second, and most significant situation is the absolute bias towards steroids and baseball. Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't Calvin Pace of the New York Jets suspended for performance-enhancing drugs recently? Yet, that received little press time, even less scrutiny from reports and sports outlets, and absolutely no criticism based on it it's morality and transgressions of the game. It was a mere blip on the screen. Instead, ESPN's NFL Live focused on how it would affect the Jets defense.

Unbelievable.

Save the excuse of the focus being a result of baseball's historical records and connection to American culture. Save it. Steroids should not be prioritized based on record at stake or sport. It wasn't a priority for the coverage of Marion Jones. It shouldn't be for Calvin Pace. If we are truly concerned with curbing steroid connection with athletes, our sports, and most importantly, our youth, steroid issues should be dealt with equally.

Yet, football and the NFL continues to get a pass. Amazing.

Two players caught for cheating six years ago when awareness and testing were minimal, or a current player being caught today under strict (and federal) supervision?

It seems we're so concerned with the "steroid era" of the past, that we may not even notice it still exists...or in some cases, we choose not to.

Recent Favorites

WWE Survivor Series 2023 Review: "Whaddya Wanna Talk About?"

Well, following that premium live event, in the words of Cody Rhodes... "whaddya wanna talk about?"  The obvious is there, right? CM Punk, somehow, makes a bid for another moment-of-the-year candidate for wrestling fans with another "return" - his second over the last four years. This one, back to the WWE, in what felt like the most improbable of opportunities. But as we've learned, WWE truly is where you "never say never".  You can go in so many directions on this one. But without going too far down a road that hasn't developed or we have some headlights on, it's quite clear that WWE is absolutely crushing the wrestling business right now, and adding anything - or anyone - to that continued record success is the mission. They. Are. Not. Settled.  Second, the unveil I thought was great. Just absolute pro wrestling at its peak. As soon as the guitar riff to "Cult of Personality" hit and the familiar graphics hit the screens, my immedia

Quick Ponder: Gratitude

  My sense of gratitude explodes within my heart when I cease expressing it through the tangible, but rather through, time and moments.  Happy Thanksgiving, all. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/26/23

3 Up 1. Hostages Released - It might not be an overwhelming consensus - as this topic is so polarizing that I doubt we come to such agreements. Regardless, having innocent individuals released is a plus in the situation. I wish we still didn't have innocent people dying, but that's a whole other topic.  1a. Cease Fire - Who knows how long this will last. But the fact there is an agreement in place while hostages are being released is a plus. Take it.  2. Thanksgiving - The older I get, the more this day has a deeper focus and a sense of gratitude. Please take a moment today to focus on that among all of the chaos of food, family, friends, and everything else.  3. CM Punk Return - How cool was that? CM Punk returns to the WWE at the Survivor Series. Never say never in that company.  3 Down 1. NBA Ethics Optics - From Miles Bridges to Josh Giddey, its been really difficult lately to trust the NBA's moral compass. I'm not throwing them under the bus as they've done the