Dear Baseball, You’re Welcome. Sincerely, Steroids
P.S. Listen, I realize that after the strike people had given up on you. Your games were too “long” and too “boring.” People thought the players were nothing more than greedy, overpaid showmen. Attendance was already at an all-time low and football was quickly becoming America’s favorite past time. That’s when I stepped in.
That’s right. Me. Good ol’ Steroids. I brought this game back from the dead, baby! Players started getting huge. Leadoff hitters started crushing home runs every 6 at-bats. It was awesome. And you knew it too. You knew something was up, and you did nothing about it. Because it was just too much fun to watch, wasn’t’ it?
Admit it. I was Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men – you needed me on that wall . But, like Tom Cruise, you were too much of a coward to let me just do my thing. You decided that I was “harmful” and that kids would get the wrong idea. Meanwhile, I was making pitchers freak out on the mound and throw fireballs. Sure, I made Barry Bonds’ head swell to the size of a bowling ball, but I also gave the casual kayaker something to do on game day.
I did more for this sport than Selig did in his first ten years on the job. You remember Brady Anderson don’t you? Well, you wouldn’t have without me. 16 homeruns in 1995 – pedestrian. I come along, and in 1996 he jacks 50. You’re telling me the Camden Yards faithful weren’t happy to follow something else than a never-ending count to 2,632? I don’t think so.
Oh, and then there was that little homerun race back in 1998. Some guy named Sosa and another named McGwire, sprinting to see who could crack Maris’ timeless record. The whole country was glued to their tv’s every time one of these giants stepped up to the plate. I mean, NBC would interrupt their hallowed Must See lineup to show an at-bat. And did I mention both the Cards and the Cubs sucked back then? Yeah, that’s how relevant baseball had become. It was back in the fabric of America – and it was back because of me.
So go ahead, blame me for ruining baseball. Blame me for taking the purity out of the game. But don’t forget that in 1994, absolutely no one cared about baseball. And I was the one that brought it back. I made you care about it again. I made it possible for you to be this upset. You needed me on that wall.
I am an avid baseball fan, and i agree with the fact that steroids most certainly saved the game for the average fan. My favorite game is still a pitchers duel, but i think the choir i’m preaching to is slim to none and slim just left town.
My biggest problem with the steroid era is, I can’t even decided if i think it is wrong. We have conflicting views on if it even improves performance, but even if it does, is it wrong. Back when McGuire and Sosa were dueling it out, steriods weren’t even illegal in the sport. So why is everyone so damn concerned with this. It is now illegal and for some reason i agree with this rule, but only to the point that i agree with the istitute of marriage… because i’ve been taught to by society forever. My question is… Are steroids really bad for the sport or society? Or is it just another extension/developement in the world of physical fitness. If doctors can presribe and distribute safely, is it even bad or is it something we should embrace? It’s gotta be just as safe as some of the medicines we see on tv with “sudden death” as a side effect. Please enlighten me on your views on this topic because i’m torn and tired of thinking about it.