STERIODS: WHAT’S
THE DEAL AND WHO’S
RESPONSIBLEY
By Ryan Eshoff
SSuch a prominent news story
like the steroids ordeal should be looked at properly, first giving
the present state, then going back in time before tying everything
together...
STEROIDS: Episode IV- A New Dope
A used syringe containing a mysterious substance is sent to the
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in the spring of 2003, sparking a string
of investigations upon BALCO Laboratories in Burlingame. Charged
with money laundering and distribution of illegal steroids are
BALCO president Victor Conte and VP James Valente, track coach
Remy Korchemny, and the personal trainer of Barry Bonds, Greg
Anderson. Eventually, the mysterious substance is identified as
tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).
STEROIDS: Episode V- The NFL Strikes Back
Statements by New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett that steroid
use was rampant during his playing days with the Pittsburgh Steelers
shifted some of the federal focus from MLB to the NFL. Probes
by varying groups culminated in a CBS “60 Minutes”
broadcast that reports a South Carolina-based Dr. James Shortt
prescribed steroids to punter Todd Sauerbrun and linemen Jeff
Mitchell and Todd Steussie of the Carolina Panthers. Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue has been called to testify in Washington. When
punters are more Chewbacca than Jar Jar Binks, the NFL’s
in a world of trouble.
STEROIDS: Episode VI- Re-tank of the Head Guy
Spawning from the dark shadow hovering above baseball, the House
Government Reform Committee issued 11 subpoenas to big names in
baseball, including Commissioner Bud Selig. Selig promised that
his new testing and harsher suspensions will result in changes
for the better. But it was under his oblivious watch that steroids
came about in the ‘90s. Many feel he is to blame. Is Selig
on his way out?
STEROIDS: Episode I- The Phantom Maris
Among those involved with both the BALCO probes and the government
subpoenas are baseball’s single-season home run leaders
Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa. If indeed asterisks
are placed on the numbers of these three men, what happens next?
Go back 40 years to the forgotten one, Roger Maris, and his steroid-less
61 home runs.
STEROIDS: Episode II- Attack of the Cansecones
Although there have been scattered confessions of steroid use
by former major leaguers, none had quite the effect of former
player Jose Canseco’s book Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids,
Smash Hits and How Baseball Got Big. In his book, Canseco calls
out many players, former and current, who he says he saw used
steroids. Many of these players, along with Canseco himself, received
subpoenas from Congress.
STEROIDS: Episode III- Revenge of the Slim
His nickname was Big Mac, and it looks like he hasn’t eaten
one in 3 years. A meek-looking and rarely seen Mark McGwire’s
lame showing, physically and orally, only bolstered suspicions
about him. The rapid weight loss of Jason Giambi, and the first
sign of possible mortality (knee injury) in Barry Bonds make us
wonder if these investigations have taken a toll on baseball’s
power, and if we just may see the return of a cream-less, clear-less,
syringe-less, and Selig-less America’s pastime.
