Steroid Use in Major League Baseball

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Steroids Used in Major League Baseball

In baseball there have always been problems with steroids damaging our most talented Major League Baseball players. Some 1995, the steroid problem has amplified. Many of these major league baseball players are now in taking harmful drugs that boost their performance. Steroid products that should not be used; illegal to use them. Mandatory drug testing should be part of Major League Baseball, and all other sports. Last year, random and anonymous tests were given to some of the MLB ’s players. Between 5% and 7% of the tests, came back positive for steroid use. (Antonen,2006,pg.4) I feel that all players should face harsh punishments if resulted positive.

Steroids are drugs commonly classified as anabolic,

androgenic, and corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are used therapeutically to mimic or augment the effects of the naturally

occurring corticosteroids. Another name for this steroid is adrenocorticosteroid. It is used for hormone replacement, suppression secretion, and to suppress the immune response. They are also related to the drug cortical, a hormone which is naturally produced in the adrenal cortex(the outer layer of the adrenal gland). This steroid acts on the immune system by blocking the production of substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory reactions, such as prostaglandrins.

Anabolic is another steroid that professional baseball players use. This steroid helps with the tissue building effect. A common form of this steroid is testosterone. It is used to improve in body weight in adolescent teens and middle-aged adults. Some major effects of this steroid include liver tumors, jaundice, fluid retention, sev...

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...ds and Jason Giambi who both reportedly tested positive once. In both cases the results were leaked to the media and neither players denied the reports and neither was suspended under the

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terms of Major League Baseball’s drug policy.

Although there are numerous negative effects of steroid usage, many players use steroids for other reasons. Players may use steroids to increase leanness, muscle definition, increase muscle mass and weight, increase strength, increase effectiveness of training, improve recovery rate, increase aggressiveness, and for a sex drive.

Unfortunately, the player’s ability to stop using steroids at any point in his career, even the harsher new punishment scheme will not curb steroid use until a player has already been caught once. If the league wants to inhibit steroid use completely, it will need to tighten its policies .

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