Beating a Dead Horse...

by iLukeisamazing on Feb 13, 2009 10:04 AM EST

Ok guys, I'm sorry for this, but I have to bring it up.

In the wake of A-Rod's admission of steroid use and one of the bright-shining bastions of hope in the old ways of baseball - hark work, skill, baseball intelligence - dies a slow, painful death, how do we go forward?

For me, this was sort of the last straw. It killed me. I don't know why, I just don't. I think the worst part of it is the punditry:

1. Bud Selig comes on and says that A-Rod has tarnished the game... Really? You didn't tarnish it when you used inferior techniques because you didn't want a slow down in the baseball economy? You didn't tarnish it when you ignored this on your doorstep? So we're supposed to absolve the 2nd most culpable person (outside of those taking the supplements).

2. TV pundits say that A-Rod is a farce, a sham, whatever. Peter Gammons (who I like) grills A-Rod and then makes him into a sham, but you're telling me that Gammons had no clue, at all? We didn't say anything about this ruining the game when they had knowledge. They didn't know in 2000? 2001? 2002? Am I the only one outraged here?

3. Finally, I really don't think anyone is above reproach now. Did Greg Maddux juice? Peter Moylan? Pete Orr? I understand we get upset when people "insult" our idols, but is it that far-fetched to believe that Chipper took something? I don't think so.

Sorry for this rant and beating this dead horse.

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.

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Oh, Bobby.

by sdp on Feb 13, 2009 10:06 AM EST reply actions

Pitchers and Catchers report tommorrow. Thank Pujols. We reeeeeeally need something new to talk about.

by 10-4 on Feb 13, 2009 10:13 AM EST reply actions

ROIDED

I think Arod was such a shock because he did it at a young age. There is not way to convince me that he didn’t ever take them before that, and I don’ t think he would admitt that. Bonds, Palmero, Sosa and some of the more obvious players that have taken it have done it to prolong careers. So the tranformation is apparent. What about the ARods, I suspect started taking it in their early 20s, it just appears they are going into their bodys. I think there are some players that have disappeared one testing started. Players like Marcus Giles, Brett Boone, players like that probably did take them, then couldn’t stick around after. I very well could be wrong, but numbers rarely lie. In my opinion ARod is one of hundreds, maybe thousands that have done steroid the last 25 years in MLB. I don’t think any records should go to waste because of this, its just the game changed. In the 70s there was a big cocain and amphetamines problem, im bet other times there have been problems. Players trying stuff to get the advantage has happened since baseball started. Should we really be suprised that players did something that made them better that wasn’t illegal in baseball.

by wcubmac on Feb 13, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions

I agree with you there. If Bud Selig wants to try and put asteriks on Bonds home run mark then he better be able to go back to the beginning of baseball and check out how people were cheating back then.

How do we know Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron never cheated? I don’t think they did, but did they have any kind of testing back then?

by Sparhawk on Feb 13, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

While not cheating

Babe Ruth didn’t have to face any Latin or Black players. Now this is in NO way taking away from what he did, but every era has a black spot. Amphetemines (sp?) before this, and now steroids. We just have to take it as a part of the era and move on

by eaheckman10 on Feb 13, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

Bud Selig Is An Idiot

I think most fans realize the Bud Selig wants to focus the attention away from himself. He’s a pathetic joke now. There is no way in hell he didn’t know that players were taking PED like sterioids.

I’ve always been one to think that steroids don’t make you a better baseball player. You still have to hit the ball. How many players take steroids and still don’t amount to much. But now I’m thinking they can help. How many times have I seen a player have a career year in a contract season, get paid a ton of money and never come close to those numbers again. It isn’t luck people, something had to be going on.

Even with the knowledge that Bud Selig had that PED were probably rampant in baseball, he still kept his mouth shut instead of trying to put more testing measures in place to prevent this. I also blame the Baseball Union for this as well. But Selig was happy that the money was rolling in and that’s all that really matters to anyone.

I just feel my favorite sport has become so corrupted that it makes me sick. I love baseball and will always love baseball. There will always be cheaters and people to take the easiest way to make the most money. Baseball just needs to have better standards and tougher penalties so there will be fewer to try. 30-40 game suspensions are like a slap on the wrist. I’m talking about losing a whole season, 162 for a first offense and full time bans for a second. This is a million dollar industry with kids looking up to these people. They should do more for the sanctity of the game and help make sure that kids can have the right kind of role models (although I think sport role models is just stupid).

rant off.

by Sparhawk on Feb 13, 2009 12:27 PM EST reply actions

ur sanctions are intense full season for one offense and bannishment for a second… I think the penalties they have now are pretty rough.. they dont get paid for the 50 games they are suspended which means they lose 1/3 of thier money for that year.

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Feb 13, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

selig acts like he didnt know back in 03 that arod was on roids. what kinda jackass is selig, the worst kind… a used car salesman.

by heapofoatmeal on Feb 13, 2009 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Penalties

As far as penalties go, Im not sure what else they should do. I think one year is a little tuff first time. But I agree with you one the second time, kick them out. I have not read to find out exactly which drugs are banned, but when it comes to steroids, test posititve twice, you should be gone.

by wcubmac on Feb 13, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions