Use of Steroids in Baseball

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Use of Steroids in Baseball

Since Major League Baseball all-star Ken Caminiti openly admitted to Sports Illustrated to have used steroids during his career, steroid use as a muscle and performance enhancer has been uncovered and become a big issue Major League Baseball is wrestling with. The “ongoing and delicate subject, baseball’s dirty, little secret that is no secret anymore,” is a huge and growing problem (Curry B20). Now that light has been shed on the issue, critics are beginning to realize the magnitude of this problem and do not like it. Steroids are a cheating virus that is spreading quickly. Users cheat other players, themselves, the fans, and the game itself. Action must be taken to rid Major League Baseball of this virus before it takes over the game.

Steroids are illegal in the US, and banned from baseball, however in the past they have not been suspected to be such a big problem. Therefore, Major League Baseball has failed to properly address it with preventative measures. In the 2001, the Major League Players Association’s contract with Major League Baseball protected players on the 40 man roster against testing. As for the minor leagues, testing only occured in-season, and was restricted to some players. Many players use in the off season and know how long the drugs will remain in their bodies (anywhere from 2 weeks to 18 months). If tested positive, they receive a warning about the hazards of the drug and are not punished at all. Five to ten percent of minor leaguers tested positive, and which fails to account for users not tested, those who used out-of-season, and those who found measures around the test. In the majors, some suspect that 50% of players use steroids and some, such as Jose Canseco, as hig...

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National Pastime Altered By Drugs CLEARWATER, Fla., March 31, 2003

Jason Giambi Subpoenaed SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2003

Barry Bonds In Subpoena Lineup SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22, 2003

Designer Steroid Doping Scandal SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2003

Steroid Scandal's Impact Spreads SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 25, 2003

Athletes Testify In Doping Probe WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2003

Baseball To Test For Steroids NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2003

Bonds At Bat In Steroid Probe SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 5, 2003

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