Barry Bonds denies ever using steroids or any other illegal performance enhancing substances. Mark McGwire told Congress that he wasn’t going to discuss the past and like Bonds, has never admitted using any illegal substances. Neither Bonds nor McGwire is remorseful, at least not publicly, and the chances that either will be voted into the Hall of Fame are slim and none, which brings up Tim Raines, who is in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility.
Tim Raines Used Cocaine During Games
In 1982, Tim Raines admitted using cocaine. He used crack cocaine before, after and even during games and said that he would slide head first because he had bags of cocaine in his pocket that might fall out if he slide feet first.
Differences Between Bonds, McGwire, and Raines
Significant differences exist between Bonds-McGwire and Raines. First, neither Bonds nor McGwire has admitted anything. Second, while both steroids and cocaine are illegal, the steroids used by athletes are for performance enhancement while cocaine is a recreational drug. Third, steroids such as testosterone have medical benefits and finally, neither Bonds nor McGwire has shown any remorse (for what, one may ask).
Bonds and McGwire Have Not Been Proven to Have Used Steroids
Our system presumes innocence, which means that legally speaking, even the obviously guilty are treated as though they are innocent. Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire have not been proven to have used any illegal substances, but they have not been treated as innocent in the court of public opinion. The Hall of Fame is a private institution that makes its own rules with the cooperation of Major League Baseball. Circumstantial evidence will be sufficient to keep McGwire out of the Hall of Fame and Bonds may found guilty of perjury, which will eliminate his almost non-existent chances.
Health Risks of Low Testosterone Levels
Nothing can be said in the defense of cocaine use, but a study released in November 2007 has found that ”In otherwise healthy men, low testosterone is associated with an increased risk of death from any cause as well as from cardiovascular causes and cancer. An obvious implication of the study is that healthy men with low testosterone might reduce their risk by taking supplements.” The issue is not one of protecting an athlete from harming himself, as did Lyle Alzado, but rather one of preventing an athlete from gaining an edge, and that is fine.
Athletes Take Steroids to Enhance Performance
Athletes who take testosterone or androstenedione, which is a testosterone precursor, want to increase their performance. No one knows if taking steroids under medical supervision is safe, but the individual and his physicians must weigh the benefits against the risks. In the case of baseball, if a substance is banned, it cannot be used. Steroids and cocaine have been banned. Only Raines used a banned substance.
Bonds is Arrogant and McGwire Refused to Answer a Congressman
Barry Bonds is an arrogant individual who treats the media with disdain. Mark McGwire had the temerity to refuse to answer St.Louis congressman William Clay’s question about whether he could assure fans he had played "with honesty and integrity," McGwire said, "I'm not going to go into the past or talk about my past. I'm here to make a positive influence on this." He also told Clay that his lawyers advised him that answering certain questions could jeopardize his friends, family, and himself. Bonds’ and McGwire’s behavior is not acceptable in America.
Admitted Cocaine Users
Tim Raines admitted his addiction, was rehabilitated, and continued his baseball career. Other players who have been used cocaine include Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, thirty game winner, Denny McLain, 1971 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue, all star first baseman Keith Hernandez, and former Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli. All expressed remorse at their actions and those who appeared before a grand jury never had their testimony questioned.
Tim Raines is eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. He used cocaine during baseball games. Did that affect the integrity of the game? Many factors will determine if Raines is elected, but the use of cocaine will not be one of them.
References:
Low Testosterone Increases Death Risk
McGwire and Congressional Committee
Harold Friend - I became a science teacher because I couldn't throw a curve ball or hit one. On a warm September day in 1951, I came home from school ...
