Silly Steroids

Today, Bartolo Colon was suspended 50 games for Performance Enhancing Drugs, commonly known as PEDs.  This is just another announcement in baseball's war against steroids.  Last week, Melky Cabrera was suspended 50 games for testing positive for high levels of testosterone, which is of course a side effect of PEDs, just like Colon.  Last offseason, Ryan Braun failed a PED test, but was able to get out of his suspension due to a technicality.  Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Canseco, Palmiero, Clemens, ARod, Pettite, Big Papi- All roided up, all on PEDs.

While I know that not every person suspended for PEDs is a superstar (Marlon Byrd and Guillermo Mota, for example), it seems like a good deal of them are.  Sure, Colon is way past his prime, but won a Cy Young back in the day.  Melky was a solid player who had a huge comeback year last year without failing a test, so why did he have to illegal enhancements to push his performance higher?  That big list of past players and superstars, all on some kind of substance that did more to hurt their legacy than help their performance.  What is the point?

I give you Ryan Braun.  Braun won the NL MVP last season, then the news came out that he failed a drug test.  They said he should get stripped of the award.  He was facing a 50 games suspension.  His name was being besmirched.  He appealed, and managed to get his suspension overturned because the sample collection agents failed to follow protocol, apparently.  Clearly, he is playing clean this year because he can't risk a 2nd offense, knowing he couldn't pull the wool over MLB's eyes again.  And what is he doing this year?  He is having an amazing season.  Entering today's game, he was batting .305 with 33 home runs and 85 RBI.  He made the All Star Team, and should be in discussion for the NL MVP again.  All of this without the PEDs.  He has the talent to be great without drugs.

It seems nonsensical that people would do it when they are healthy and talented.  Barry Bonds was already a Hall of Fame player by the time he signed with the Giants.  Same with ARod.  Same with Clemens.  These guys obviously have the talent to be great without PEDs, yet something about their ego or their delusional self-image made them turn to steroids.  Bonds couldn't handle that McGwire and Sosa were getting all the attention in their big Home Run Derby Summer.  ARod claimed that it was the culture of baseball that made him do it, instead of relying on his own ability.  The more I think about it all, the less sense it makes. 

Sure, not everyone can be a Hall of Fame player like they may want to be.  But if you are really good and have a solid 20 year career in baseball, why do you want to jeopardize your legacy just for a few extra dingers each year, or faster return from injury?  It isn't like steroids only have a positive effect.  They are terrible for the heart and longterm abuse can have horrible consequences.  I simply don't understand why anyone would still use steroids if they have the talent to stay in the majors without them.  Colon hasn't been amazing the past few years, but has still found a team to take a chance on him, and still collects big paychecks.  He didn't need PEDs to help him.  He just needed to go out and pitch.