Steroids in Professional Baseball

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Perhaps one of the most controversial topics in Major League Baseball is the discussion of the use of steroids and human growth hormones. Both are completely illegal in the sport, and come with drastic consequences. One would think a fifty game suspension as a first offense would scare players away, but for some reason steroids in baseball is occurring more and more often to the disappointment of Major League Baseball. The reason players take steroids in the first place is to enhance their performance on the field. Steroids make players stronger and they perform at a higher rate. Another use for steroids is to help the players on certain rehab assignments for injuries. Either way, it is still illegal and banned in the sport.

One of the biggest problems with steroids is that more players are testing positive every month. But the common defense for the players is that they took steroids before they were actually outlawed by the commissioner Bud Selig. The argument is that they took steroids while recovering from an injury before they were illegal, or that they took a certain type of steroid, one that was not already illegal and has now become illegal. It is a highly debatable topic when it comes to deciding on punishments. Most cases involve the first offense being a fifty game suspension, and the second offense being a one hundred game suspension, taking into account there are only one hundred and sixty- two games in a season.

The most well-known scandal is the Barry Bonds case. Barry Bonds was arguably the greatest home run hitter to ever play the game. He holds the all-time home run record, and the single season home run record. When he tested positive for steroids, the records he held became tainted. “When ...

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...ime during the offseason. “In addition to one mandatory test each season, players will be randomly selected for additional tests, with no limit on the number, and for the first time will be subject to random tests during the offseason”

Reference Page

"SI.com - MLB - Shadows Reveals Truth behind Barry Bonds' Steroid Use - Tuesday March 7, 2006 4:49PM." Breaking News, Real-time Scores and Daily Analysis from Sports Illustrated – SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Web. 02 Nov. 2011.

"Manny Ramirez of Los Angeles Dodgers Will Serve 50-game Suspension for Drug Violation - ESPN." ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports. ESPN. Web. 02 Nov. 2011.

"Mitchell Says Naming Names Was Right Decision - Baseball- NBC Sports." Sports News Headlines - NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, PGA, NASCAR - Scores, Game Highlights, Schedules & Team Rosters - NBC Sports. NBC Sports. Web. 02 Nov. 2011.

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