Babe Ruth. Hank Aaron. Nolan Ryan. Cal Ripken Jr. These outstanding Major League Baseball players deservedly earned their spot in baseball’s Hall of Fame. Hank Aaron held the league’s home run record with 755 for 33 years, until it was broken by Barry Bonds at the height of the steroid era (Andy). Aaron has never been accused of steroid use; however, Bonds has. Nolan Ryan can be found at the top of the all-time strikeout list, but Roger Clemens is not far behind. Once again, the former has never been proven to have been on steroids, while the latter was found guilty. It is not fair to the players who achieved their greatness on their own merit to be surpassed, or even grouped alongside, those who cheated the game. The Hall of Fame needs to …show more content…
uphold the highest standards to allow the best people in the game to get the recognition they deserve. While these players are some of the best in the world, steroid users should not be recognized in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, because they cheated the game and they do not uphold the qualities of sportsmanship, integrity, and character.
Taking illegal substances gives players a distinct advantage over others and should not be recognized in the Hall of Fame. Steroids have been a part of the game for years and more and more players are using them. It is inevitable that they are an easy way to help improve a players numbers. Based on statistics gathered from Major League Baseball, during a three-year span Melky Cabrera increased his slugging percentage by 100 points (Victor). Slugging percentage is the number of total baseball divided by a players number of at bats (“Slugging Percentage”). Cabrera was an outfielder for the Chicago White Sox. In Melky’s case, he quickly went from an average player to one of the games best. 100 points is a drastic change in only a few seasons. These steroids improve a players strength and recovery time. This is a major advantage because the MLB is season is very long and taxing on the body. Steroids help promote quicker muscle recover so players can be stronger and fresher game after game. In the same way, taking steroids also gives a player an upper hand when it comes to hitting home runs. It is the improvement in this power category that most people think of in regards …show more content…
to steroid use. According to statistics, Alex Rodriguez only averaged 36 home runs per season in his first years in the league. However, he launched over 50 per season when he was later found guilty to taking steroids (Hadhazy). This data shows that Rodriguez increased his home run total by over 14 per year from when he entered the league to when he was caught taking steroids. When Rodriguez entered the league as a rookie, he was already regarded as one of the games best young talents. However, after taking Performance Enhancing Drugs, he was suddenly in the conversation with the all-time greats. There is no question that these performance substances give a player more strength and power. During these seasons when on steroids, typical fly balls that would be caught for easy outs were flying into the stands as souvenirs. Some may argue that while on steroids, Rodriguez’s batting average took a hit by dropping from .315 to .305 (Hadhazy). However, one study reveals that Mark McGwire raised his average by nearly 40 points and also hit more homeruns during his steroid days (“Mark McGwire”). Steroids not only impacted McGwire’s home run production, but also his batting average. Obviously using these illegal substances can improve more than just one category of a player’s stats. These significant increases in a player’s numbers correlate directly to the presents of steroids. They are not only increasing their power, but also have a great influence on a player’s day-to-day production. Unquestionably, steroids give players an advantage over non users and therefore, should not be welcomed into the Hall of Fame. There is no place for this type of cheating in the sport. A player should not be admitted into the Hall of Fame if he does not display sportsmanship,integrity,and character.
Professional athletes serve as role models for younger players. However, some of them are terrible examples to follow based on the way conduct themselves and constantly lie. Sports writer from The New York Times, Michael Schmidt reports, “The 19-page indictment charged Clemens, 48, with three counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of Congress during his testimony in a nationally televised hearing in February 2008 before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform” (Schmidt). Roger Clemens was charged with six total felonies. This might be the most severe attacks of someone's integrity. Five of his six charges were directly related to lying under oath of congress. This is not the type of person that the Hall of Fame should want representing them. More importantly, it is even worse when a player testifies in front of judges and says he never taken steroids. Ever. When looking back at symply baseball statistics, Rafael Palmeiro can be found in many record books for hitting more than 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. However, six months after he swore he never took any type of substance, he was found guilty and suspended (Harris). Rafael Palmeiro is one of the greatest hitters to every play the game. There is no denying his impressive stats. These stellar numbers are later tainter after it is discovered he has
been on steroids. Even worse, his character is forever destroyed after he testifies under oath to congress that never ever took steroids. The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame cannot let someone of this caliber get recognized as one of the best players when his character is one of the worst. Some may argue, Barry Bonds has hit the most home runs ever in Major League Baseball and Roger Clemens is in the top three in strikeouts. These are both historic marks that will never be forgotten (Svrluga). However, based on the criteria set forth by the Hall of Fame committee, “Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played (“BBWAA Election”). Obviously the players that are eligible for the Hall of Fame have the statistics to back it up. However, the stats are not the only criteria that gets looked at by voters. They are also considering a player's character and integrity. The Hall of Fame obviously wants more than just stats, this is why they include the traits of character and integrity. Without a doubt, a player that doesn’t display character and integrity while in the big leagues, absolutely does not deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame. Major League Baseball players who enhance their ability with steroids to improve their performance and elevate their statistics do not deserve a coveted place in the Hall of Fame, because they cheated the game and did not comply with rules of sportsmanship, integrity, and character. If these players are allowed to enter the sacred Hall, just think about what type of message this sends to the younger generation of players. The work ethic and motivation will greatly decrease among players trying attain greatness if they know cheating is not penalized. It will become disheartening to morally upstanding players to fall short of the games highest honor because they are surpassed by those on steroids. Imagine being the superstar who just misses being inducted by someone who succeeded with the help of illegal substances. Society as a whole needs to expect the institution of Major League Baseball will uphold the highest moral standards and not just physical achievements in their Hall of Fame. As a fan of the game, you have the power to support the players who do not rely on cheating to reach their personal success. The game will only get better if the pure talent of the players is what makes the headlines, instead of yet another drug related scandal.
In the late 80s to mid-2000s, steroids changed the way baseball was played. It became known as “The Steroid Era,” and it is a part of history that baseball wants to forget. The players during this time did some of the greatest things to ever happen to baseball such as Barry Bonds breaking the single season homerun record with 73, and Roger Clemens winning his record seventh Cy Young Award (Ortiz). These are Hall of Fame worthy stats, but they have a very slim chance of ever getting into the Hall of Fame because they are linked to using Performance Enhancement Drugs. These players should be allowed into the Hall of Fame because of their accomplishments, but they need to have a wing dedicated to “The Steroid Era” players because conditions change so dramatically in different eras that it is hard to compare them to players now (Ringolsby). Even though PED users cheated the game, they should be allowed into the Hall of Fame if they have their own wing. They played in a different era than the players now, and it is hard to compare the different eras.
The urine samples that Major League Baseball took from Bonds have shown evidence that indicate he has used performance-enhancing drugs. “A person who has reviewed the evidence said that the authorities detected anabolic steroids in urine samples linked to Bonds that the authorities gathered in connection with their investigation” (Schmidt). This fact indicates that Major League Baseball knows that he used the steroids, but the officials are too languid to make Bonds come out and tell the truth instead of lying like he has in the past. Congress also has taken urine samples from Bonds, but has listed them and marked them as confidential evidence. Also, Barry Bonds’ body became so big in such little time....
Major League Baseball (MLB) has widely been regarded as America’s pastime for the longest time, however it is now becoming known as the sport tainted by one thing, anabolic steroids. An anabolic steroid is related to the natural steroid, testosterone. They are able to stimulate growth in the muscle tissue. They usually increase muscle mass and strength. The MLB has created some of the most historic American icons, such as Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. Players like them showed us what it was like to play baseball the right way. They played with passion, heart, and above all they had fun playing. Players today in the MLB focus way too much on becoming the best player ever to play. They see what the greats did before them and they want to match them, so they turn to anabolic steroids. An example of this is Alex Rodriguez. In 2003 he tested positive for anabolic steroids because he was “naïve” and couldn’t take the pressure of his expectations of being called the best. He felt the pressure from the game and he turned to steroids. Anabolic steroids are ruining the game of baseball. They are tainting the records and the changing the game for the worse.
Throughout the history of America’s pastime, baseball has continually battled scandals and controversies. From the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal to the current steroid debate, baseball has lived in a century of turmoil. While many of these scandals affected multiple players and brought shame to teams, none have affected a single player more than the 1980’s Pete Rose betting scandal. Aside from the public humiliation he brought his family and the Cincinnati Reds, nothing has done more to hurt Pete Rose than his lifetime ban from baseball making him ineligible for hall of fame. While many are for and against putting Pete Rose in the hall of fame, the four ethical theories, Kantianism, Utilitarianism, Egoism, and Ethical Realism, each have their own unique answer to the question. Through Kantianism Pete Rose should be inducted into the hall of fame, while Egoism, Utilitarianism and Ethical Realism all support the lifetime ban.
Many baseball athletes believe steroids will give them an edge on the game by making themselves stronger. This is true in the respect that it makes the athlete stronger and more superior but they also cause more problems then they solve.
George Herman Ruth Jr., also known as Babe Ruth, is known as one of the most influential people in America. George Herman Ruth brought many fans into the stands when baseball was not very popular. Additionally, he is most known for his home run record. Although, he has downfalls in his reputation and his actions, he still changed the game of baseball and gave people hope while doing so.
Many athletes use steroids to become stronger and improve their abilities to play their sport. Certain players believe there is nothing wrong with using steroids. Athletes who excel greatly would normally be chosen to be in the Hall of Fame, but if using steroids, they should not be allowed. Steroids have many effects on people. Baseball players are big influences on children and teenagers which could cause even more steroid use because of major league baseball players. Even though many people agree with famous baseball athletes using steroids being in the Baseball Hall of Fame, other people disagree for many reasons because steroids are an illegal drug and the use of this drug should not be rewarded by such an honor as being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The issue of performance-enhancing substances in baseball has been mostly present over the past ten years. The reason for players taking steroids is simple, by taking steroids, hitters like Barry Bonds gained more strength to hit better averages and more home runs, while pitchers like Roger Clemens gained better stamina and powerful arms.... ... middle of paper ... ... Steroids are not fair to the players who worked hard everyday to achieve Hall of Fame status, without performance enhancements.
The argument to this is that if these men can make it into the Hall of Fame why is Pete Rose banned. It is obvious that these players made it there with just their playing abilities and not by all of the other characteristics needed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame (Maury). Pete Rose started playing professional baseball in 1960 in the minor leagues and by 1963 he reached the Major Leagues as a rookie second baseman with the National League’s Cincinnati Reds. Rose won the National League’s Rookie of the Year Award for 1963. He spent most of his 24 year career playing with the Reds, Rose also played with the Phillies and the Expos. In 1985 Rose broke one of the most “unbreakable” records of all time, by passing out Ty Cobb for the most career hits ever (Sports Illustrated.). Rose holds many records, some of which are: most games played, most at bats, and mos...
Performance enhancing drugs have been a longstanding problem in sports. It not only deteriorates the honesty of the game, but also can have broader social affects that one may not even realize. The use of performance enhancing drugs is especially apparent in Major League Baseball. This problem can be traced back to the 1980’s when baseball was facing one of its first “dark periods”. During the 1980’s Major League Baseball was experiencing a home run drought. Home run totals were down as far as they had been since Babe Ruth, and fans were seemingly becoming bored with the sport. The lack of home runs was a growing concern for players whose salary relied on home run totals. Players needed to find a quick way to boost their power and performance in order to keep the sport alive and to keep bringing in their paychecks. This desire for fame and fortune introduced steroids into Major League Baseball in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Home run totals jumped tremendously during these decades and players were willing to risk being caught using illegal substances in order to shine above the rest. New idols and role models started to sprout up from these outstanding home run statistics and young children started to take notice. This all came tumbling down when these new idols and role models who were making the big bucks and hitting the ball out of the park tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Here lie the affects of a growing social problem in sports. These famed athletes become walking advertisements and promotions for the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports. The influence professional athletes have over aspiring young athletes is very powerful and these roles models make it seem acceptable to use performance ...
People frown upon steroids in baseball because they say they are an unfair advantage even though they can be used as big advantage. Steroids have always been looked down on because people say that they are unfair and unsafe to use. So far players that have used steroids in Major League baseball have been healthy and the only side effects of them have been success. Steroids have become a huge part of baseball since the 1990’s. players feel like they need to use them to stay competitive. Steroids help increase muscle mass and help athletes train harder and faster. This results in better play on the field. Most steroid users in the MLB (Major League Baseball) are pitchers and homerun hitters. Steroids need to be legalized in Major League Baseball to bring more excitement into the game so that more people will watch, it will level the playing field for all the players, it will keep athletes healthy during the long season, and it will be more efficient since the consequences for using the substance does not keep players from using them.
The world is a very different place than what it was in the 1920’s; however, despite our differences, many things have stayed the same. No matter what, there’s always something to refer back to. Nearly one-hundred years ago, the 1920’s holds a great deal of historical events that changed the world. One of these historical events is when Babe Ruth changed the outlook on negro leagues and african american baseball players. Ruth could do many things that other people couldn’t in baseball. He in general was an amazing baseball player, but he also did something much more, something that would change the world’s views of not just him, but everybody.
rotten start” in life; he spent his childhood days on the streets and piers of
Since at least the 1980’s performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) have been a major challenge in the world of Major League Baseball, and past trends indicate they will continue to pose an ongoing problem. A number of the most prominent and accomplished professional baseball players, such as Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Roger Clemens, are also the most famous examples of baseball players who have broken longstanding records, attracted countless numbers of fans, and allegedly have taken performance-enhancing drugs. Athletes who have been caught using steroids in order to increase and better their performance rates have been suspended, fined and traded from the teams on which they once played. Despite the punitive actions taken against them by the League and lawmakers, players continue to use performance-enhancing drugs and likely will continue to do so, because the associated athletic effects will draw more fans and bring more money to the individual player and franchise.
The era in sports from the late 90s and into the 2000s has often been nicknamed “The Steroid Age” due to the raging use of anabolic steroids and other PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) by professional athletes. The usage of drugs in sports has never been more prevalent during this time, and many people are making it their goal to put an end to the abuse. Influential athletes such as Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez, and Roger Clemens, who were once held as the highest role models to the American people, now watch as their legacies are tarnished by accusations of drug use. The American population, and lovers of sports everywhere, have followed in astonishment through recent years as many beloved athletes reveal their dark secrets. As organizations such as the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) and BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative) attempt to halt the use of PEDs, both the drug users and their high-end suppliers work diligently to avoid detection. The use of performance enhancing drugs in recent years has proven to be cancerous to the honesty and competition of modern sports. Although some strides have been made over the past few decades, the use of steroids is in full swing in Major League Baseball, The dangerous side effects of the drugs are often overlooked and many do not realize the message this sends to the youth. The support for halting the usage of PEDs is in need of attention or professional sports will face the loss of all progress made through the past two decades in its war on steroids.