Steroids

So, with less than a week before the start of the Major League Baseball season, I think I'll weigh in on what's been going on. There has been a lot of speculation as to whether or not Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire are worthy of the Hall of Fame. Look, players in all eras have done whatever they could to get a "leg up on the pile." While steroids are dangerous and are obviously performance enhancing, I wouldn't say that they're the only thing contributing to McGwire and Bonds' success. Sure, if they did indeed take them, it's wrong and should be made public. However, it's not like McGwire wasn't a monster from the start of his career. In his rookie season, he hit 49 homers, and there's no accusations that he was taking them at that point in his career.

Bonds also has one of the best eyes in the history of the game. While their alleged steroid abuse does diminish their accomplishments, I don't see how it can reasonably said that they wouldn't have been great players anyway. Perhaps I'm a little biased, as both players are linked to my two favorite teams. But strength, while important for home run hitters, is not nearly as important as being able to see the ball well out of the pitcher's hand or being able to time your swing correctly. Both of those guys were already pretty strong before their alleged steroid used started.

So, considering all that, as well as the fact that people such as Ty Cobb, Gaylord Perry, and Babe Ruth are all in the Hall, I'd say include the people from the 'roid era. Besides, how can you know who has taken steroids? Is it fair that guys like McGwire are singled out while supposedly hundreds of other players have used the same substances? If everybody's using them, how does that make you unworthy? To clarify, I do not condone steroid use. Maybe the records don't mean as much as they would have. But to still be heads and shoulders above other athletes that might be using the same drugs is a sign of superior talent. Time will tell if they are accepted, but I hope they are.