Baseball's Steroid Witch Hunt: 10 Players Who May Have Been on the Juice

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BERLIN - AUGUST 29: Photos of anabolic steroids confiscated in a police bust earlier in the day stand on display at police headquarters August 29, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. Police in the German states of Berlin, Lower Saxony and Brandenburg as well as in

With the recent discovery that the beloved A-Rod was one on steroids at the beginning of the century, I have come up with my unbiased list of possible players, both active and former, who I believe have showed significant evidence in their statistics that they may have been on steroids. My ranking is completely based on judgment and statistical evidence. Based on former players who have admitted to using steroids, it has been shown that once off, players usually decline significantly in power stats, and usual have many injuries. So, here is my list of players who I believe have taken steroids.

1. Richie Sexson

ST. LOUIS - APRIL 3: First baseman Richie Sexson #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers follows through on his swing during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on April 3, 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals won 6-4. (Photo by Elsa/Get

He may just be lazy, but it's hard not to judge the lack of production Sexson has given us since leaving the Brewers in 2003. True, he has hit more than 30 home runs two of the years with the Mariners, but he has been plagued by injuries, and any time there is a huge power drop with multiple injuries, steroids usually come into the conversation.

2. Kevin Brown

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 18: Starting pitcher Kevin Brown of the New York Yankees throws against the Texas Rangers on July 18, 2005 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

After scoring one the biggest free-agent contracts of his time signing with the Los Angelas Dodgers in 1999, Brown had two great seasons, going 31-15, around a 3.00 ERA and 220 K's. Following those two years though, Brown battled injuries each of the next four years, and never won 15 games again. I suspected him of using steroids even before all of the steroid accusations came out based on how much muscle he put on.

3. Andruw Jones

PITTSBURGH - JULY 11: National League All-Star outfielder Andruw Jones #25 of the Atlanta Braves bats during practice for the 77th MLB All-Star Game against the American League All-Stars at PNC Park on July 11, 2006 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Ameri

He had never had more than 40 home runs in a season until he hit 51 for the Braves in '05. He followed that up with a 41 home run season in '06, but then completely fell off the map in '07, batting .222, and .158 in '08, hitting a combined 29 home runs in both seasons. He may just be getting fat, but steroids have come into my mind when talking about Andruw Jones.

4. Bret Boone

He had only hit more than 20 home runs once in his career (1998 with the Cincinatti Reds hitting 24) before busting out with 37 home runs in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners. He had two more good years, before completely falling off the face of the earth in 2005, playing only 88 games in the big leagues and hasn't played since.

5. Nomar Garciaparra

1 Mar 1998: Infielder Nomar Garciaparra of the Boston Red Sox in action at the plate during the Red Sox 11-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins at the City of Palms Park in Fort Meyers, Florida. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport

I don't know why, but a career of injuries (has never played a full season) and 150+ games only three times, plus a complete fall off in production equals to me possible steroid use.

6. Mike Piazza

FLUSHING - MAY 5: Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets hits a three run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth inning during their game on May 5, 2005 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Had a string of 30+ home runs for the Mets between 1999 and 2003. Never hit 25 again. Failed to play in 130 games in any year following. So many players during that time frame have been linked to steroids. Piazza is a good guy, but many others were too.

7. Ivan Rodriguez

15 Apr 2001: Ivan Rodriguez #7 of the Texas Rangers drops the bat to move during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Network Associates Stadium in Oakland, California. The Rangers defeated the A's 10-8.Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

Has already been linked to steroids, which he has denied. Played on the Texas team that included roiders A-Rod and Palmeiro. Didn't help that he dropped a ton of weight following the Congressional hearings.

8. Hank Blalock

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 19: Hank Blalock #9 of the Texas Rangers hits a two run homerun against the New York Yankees on July 19, 2005 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers defeated the Yankees 2-1. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Gett

Also played on the Texas teams with A-Rod and Palmeiro. Had a string of 29-32-25 home runs between '03 and '06 followed by a ton of injuries and hasn't reached 20 home runs since.

9. Juan Gonzalez

27 Feb 2002: Juan Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers poses during media day at Charlotte County Stadium in Port Charlotte, Florida. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Also played on the Texas teams with A-Rod and Palmeiro. A lot of power throughout his career followed by a steep drop of during Congressional hearings.

10. Jim Thome

1Jul 2001: Jim Thome #25 of the Cleveland Indians in action against the Kansas City Royals at Jacob's Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The Royals won 13-11 . DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit : Tom Pidgeon/Allsport

A look at the top 5 home run hitters of 2002:
1. Alex Rodriguez- Steroids
2. Jim Thome
3. Sammy Sosa- Not proven, but probably steroids
4. Barry Bonds- Steroids
5. Rafael Palmeiro- Steroids
8. Jason Giambi- Steroids
I hope Thome has not taken steroids, but as a slugger of the steroids era, could definitely be true.

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