Steroid Issue

I hate this topic. I hate how it dominates every single sports media outlet, it's old. The worst part is that there is no end in sight. People will be debating for decades who was on, who is on, who wasn't, it's madness. The subject came back to the forefront of sports media the past few weeks because of Mark McGuire appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.

A day after that the New York Daily News reported that Barry Bonds failed a test last year for amphetamines. A one time amphetamine best doesn't get you suspended but it certainly won't help Bonds' already shady reputation.

The problem is that there is no way to know for sure who was on steroids unless it's a guy like Rafael Palmeiro who actually failed a steroid test. Palmeiro, a sure fire hall of famer, is probably going to be left out in the cold. McGuire and Bonds have never been busted for a thing. Even though it sure looks they are both guilty, there's absolutely no way to prove a thing. I can't decide where I stand on this issue. I wouldn't be surprised if only a few dozen guys have abused steroids or if 95% of guys have, it's just a bizarre situation. I think you either need to exclude every guy from this era from the Hall or just vote for the people who excelled whether they did steroids or not. Personally, I think I'd have to vote for McGuire, I wouldn't want to, I couldn't even stand him when he did play. However, I think there's just as much proof on someone like Bonds or McGuire as there could be on someone like Roger Clemens or Curt Schilling. I think if the public didn't love Clemens and Schilling so much there could be some dirt dug up on them.

Here's what really gets me though: why is there such a massive double standard on the steroid issue. NFL star, Shawne Merriman (right) was suspended for four games for violating the steroid rule in the NFL, as was Detroit star Shawn Rogers. These guys both got pretty substantial suspensions but weren't nearly as chastised and their baseball counterparts. Merriman was even voted to the Pro Bowl and made the NFL All Pro team. It seems like the guys on ESPN talk about how there is this double standard and just leave it at that, like it's no big deal. They still praise them for doing amazing things on the field. Merriman still makes all the highlights on the clip shows. I hate it.

Instead of acting like these things don't happen and don't matter, I'm going to make a conscious effort to talk about NFL offenders in the same way I talk about MLB offenders. Look out Shawne Merriman, I'm attacking you as a cheater and as someone who spells his own name incorrectly.