Steroids in the game of Baseball | The Physical and Statistical Effects |

Anonymous |

Many players have been accused of the use of steroids. Some have denied it, but has been proven guilty. Some have admitted by will that they have used Performance-Enhancement Drugs/Steroids at some point during their career.
EXTERNAL PHYSICAL EFFECTS There are several signs known of to identify steroid use. For example, in men he might notice baldness and growth in the chest (around the breast) area. In women she might notice increase facial hair, reduction around the breast area, and their voice may deepen. In both men and women they may notice Jaundice, aching joints, mood swings, and nervousness. There also can be major effects for men and women from steroid usage; for example, high blood pressure, liver damage, increases of bad cholesterol, males risk shrinking of the testicles and infertility. Females’ menstrual changes these are some of the noticeable signs of steroids use. There has not been any conclusive proof that the use of steroids alone would make a drastic change in the body size or weight. Although steroids are said to enhance the muscle mass, which could give a false belief of increased body strength. To acquire the muscle mass and body strength desired one would need to have a workout plan in place. If the ligaments and tendons are not strong enough to support the muscle mass one could end up with torn ligaments and tendons. Steroids alone will not work; it could hurt more than help.
There has been quite a bit of talk of Performance Enhancement Drugs being used in the world of sports. Some of the biggest names in the sports world have been accused of steroid use. Some have denied using steroids and some have admitted to the use of steroids, whether for rehabilitation or for other reasons. Although, there is no guarantees that Enhancement Drugs will make one a better athlete, there has been use of steroids in the game of baseball by players to advance their skills.
PLAYERS ACCUSED OF STEROID USAGE The following players are linked to Steroids by their association with Ex-Mets Clubhouse Manager Kirk Radomski. “ Players purchased Steroids from Radomski with checks, money orders, and cash. Radomski provided copies of cancelled checks and money orders to prove that the following players, purchased steroids from him.”
Some of the names are as follows:
“Chad Allen Rick Ankiel Rafael Betancourt
Larry Bigbie Kevin Brown Mark Carreon
Howie Clark Jack Cust Brendan Donnelly
Chris Donnels Lenny Dykstra Ryan Franklin
Eric Gagne Jerry Hairston Jr. Matt Herges
GlenAllen Hill David Justice Nook Logan
Kent Mercker F.P. Santangelo Mike Stanton
Mo Vaughn Fernando Vina Rondell White
Gregg Zaun”
(Kendrick (2007). Baseball Players accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. about.com, pgs 1-3
PLAYER’S GAME SKILLS

In some cases when a player is brought up to the major league, it’s because of absents or injuries to key players, which causes a shortage on the bench. Some of these players have already been in the game of baseball for years. Once brought up this is their time to shine (no one wants to return to the minor league). If given the chance to enter a game they are going to show all they have in efforts to stay in the majors (or at least make way for the chance to be brought back to the majors when needed). There are some players who have impressive stats in the minor league (which is why they are chosen to be brought to the majors in the time of need).
Once a player has been put in a major league game, he realizes that one would have to be physically up to par to survive. For instance, as a pitcher in the minor league he may only be required to pitch three endings, but in the majors one would like the pitcher to be in the game as long as possible, but at the very least five to six endings. If he is use to working three or maybe four endings, five or six could feel like a lifetime of work, especially if one has a batter that is fouling balls off. This could be quite a bit of wear on the body (more specifically for a pitcher) their pitching arm. As a player (whether pitcher or position player) in the major league one finds that the money is quite a bit better than the salary in the minors. So, of course he is going to do all that one can to get a major league contract.

With this the problems arise; one is not quite as young as he use to be and although he flourished as a player in the minors for years. He is not quite sure that he would be able to continue the stats that one has put up while in the minors in the majors. This begins to wear on him mentally, he is faced with the possibilities of not being able to produce the numbers to keep ones’ spot in the majors and he is not getting any younger (he could already be at the age that is consider prime in the game of baseball). And for all he knows at this point his good years and production is already behind him. He begins to talk to people that have been through and had the feelings that he has. Some may have taken the correct approach and done all in their natural power to succeed in the game of baseball. But then there may be some that didn’t. The ones that didn’t is going to be the more logical and easiest to listen to (at least in his head and at that time). This is the one that introduces him to the thought of the use of steroids. Although introduced to the thought, one may decide not to go that route.

Here we are five to six years down the line; he has made it to the majors and actually flourished. The numbers are outstanding and he is on the cusp of free agency. Due to the numbers that you have already produced, this is likely where the bigger contracts are offered. Here’s the pressure again, but this time it’s pressure of reality. One knows he has pretty much reached his peak and is not as young as he was. He has suffered minor aches and pains and is very much feeling the wear and tear of the game on his body. Steroids are looking and sounding better. This is where one could decide that Steroids are the way to go. For example, the following player’s stats seem to inflate during the time span of accusations of steroid usage.

These players’ game stats may have inflated during the period of steroid use.
“Kevin Brown ERA from 1996-1998 1.89, 2.69, 2.38
Signed a 7-year $105 million contract with the Dodgers after the 1998 season.
Brown had always been a good pitcher. He won 20 games as a 27 year old for the Rangers, but it wasn’t until 1996 that he became dominant. Skeptics will say his improved statistics starting in 1996 can be attributed to expansion, experience, and moving to the National League. The fact is 1996 was the most inflated offensive season statistically in the history of the game. During that season Brown was able to lower his ERA nearly two full runs.
Lenny Dykstra 19 HR 44 2B 143 Runs 129 walks in 1993 signed a 4-year $24.9 million contract extension after the 1993 season.
Dykstra was ousted as a steroid user by former bodybuilder Jeff Scott and business partner Lindsay Jones. Scott went so far as to say that Dykstra had increased his usage in 2003 because it was a contract year. Dykstra set career highs in home runs, runs, runs batted in, walks and doubles finishing second to Barry Bonds in the NL MVP voting. Dykstra’s contract extension made him the highest paid leadoff hitter in baseball.”
(unknown, 2006)

SUSPENSION TIME AND POLICY FOR STEROID USAGE

Although it has not proven that all players accused of steroid use, did actually use steroids. There were quite a few players suspended for the usage of steroids. Suspensions ranged from 10 days to 60 days. Since the use of steroids has spread through the game of baseball, the Baseball Commissioner as well Congress has asked for stiffer penalties for the use of Steroids. Prior to the “Steroid Era” the penalties were as follows:

“The sport's current penalties are a 10-day suspension for a first offense, 30 days for a second offense and 60 days for a third. The earliest a player could be banned for life is a fifth offense.”
(ESPN, 2005)

After the Baseball Commissioner and Congress’s request, the penalties have stiffened.

For example, the policy is “fifty games for a first offense, one hundred games for a second and a lifetime ban for a third, plus testing for amphetamines.”
(ESPN, 2005)

Athletes should be more aware of what steroids could do them physically as well as mentally. They should also realize that in most cases they are role models (whether they want to be or not) and they have younger and future professional athletes watching them closely. In using steroids to enhance their own skills, this is giving those who are watching and idolizing them the false belief that the use of these types of drugs are okay. Once you have become an athlete, singer, or anyone that is in the spot light one should realize that they are being watched and critiqued. This makes it critical that one, for the most part make the correct decisions.

If you know someone who wants to become a professional athlete, let them know that the use of steroids is not the way to go. If you cannot perform a skill by your own abilities, then you cannot call yourself a skilled or true athlete.

Citations

Brewer, A. (2006, April 6). Players accused of steroid use innocent until proven guilty. The rocket

Kendrick, (2007). Baseball Players accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. about.com

Mitchell Report: Baseball Slow to React to Players’ Steroid Use.” ESPN.com, December 14, 2007, espn.gov.com

Sheinin, D. (2005, March 18). Baseball has a day of Reckoning in Congress. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 9, 2009, from washingtonpost.com