Top Ten

Aaron Guest by Contributor Written on February 10, 2009

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HOUSTON - JULY 12:  Barry Bonds (C-facing camera) of the Ntional League team jokes with (L-R back to camera) Derek Jeter #2, Alex Rodriguez #13 and Jason Giambi #25 before the 2004 Major League Baseball Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on Jul
(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi... Big names that have completely shrouded an era in baseball known as the "Steroid Era."

All are great players whose use of steroids has tainted their legacy. None were bigger than Barry Bonds, who became the all-time leader in home runs. What would have been a tremendous legend is now feared by the public as tainting the record.

Luckily, we knew there was one player who could eventually overtake and un-taint the home run record, Alex Rodriguez.

There is only one problem...He has now admitted that he used steroids.

With so many great players being accused of using steroids, there's more and more suspicion of other players using steroids. Is anyone clean anymore?

With that in mind, I will try to focus on who I think the top ten players in this decade who could have been on steroids without surprising me are.

No. 10 Craig Biggio

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 9:  Craig Biggio #7 of the Houston Astros reacts to striking out during their game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium September 9, 2007 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.  (Photo by Travis Lind

So he may not have the flashy home run numbers, but playing 20 seasons in the MLB is very tough to do. He might have used steroids to help keep him active and strong enough to play as much he has. I hope he hasn't, but I would not be surprised if we find out he has.

No. 9 Richie Sexson

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 29:  Richie Sexson #44 of the Seattle Mariners runs to first base against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 29, 2007 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

After a few years in the league, Sexson busted out for 45 home runs. He had a couple great years, but then, ironically, his numbers dropped when mandatory testing came around. Coincidence or steroids?

No. 8 Carlos Delgado

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28:  Carlos Delgado #21 of the New York Mets reacts after flying out in the eighth inning against the Florida Marlins during the last regular season baseball game ever played in Shea Stadium on September 28, 2008 in the Flushing neigh

Maybe it's because I don't really like the guy, but I've always had a suspicion that he's used. He hit 457 home runs during 12 seasons he played the majority of.

No. 7 Andruw Jones

LOS ANGELES - JULY 13:  Andruw Jones #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waits during the game against the Florida Marlins at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Marlins 9-1.  (Photo by: Christian Petersen/Getty

Could he really have taken steroids? Some say no, but with all the tainted players we never know.

He was a great power hitter until recent years, when they coincidentally started doing mandatory testing. Could his power have dropped from stopping the use of steroids? Something seems fishy.

No. 6 Jeff Bagwell

HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10:  Jeff Bagwell #5 of the Houston Astros swings the bat during game four of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park on October 10, 2004 in Houston, Texas.  The Braves won 6-5.  (Photo by Ronal

Craig Biggio's former teammate Jeff Bagwell is a shady character.

His first three years in the league he hit 15, 18, and 20 home runs, respectively, while playing at least 142 games each year. His fourth year, he busted out 39 home runs.

That's quite a jump. With that much of a gap, questions start to float around.

He's had three season's with 40-plus home runs and three more with exactly 39. He hit more than 30 home runs in all but two seasons after his first three years and his last year when he didn't play much.

He is a candidate that I think did use steroids and I would not be surprised if he admitted it.

No. 5 Carlos Zambrano

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 07:  Carlos Zambrano #38 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium June 7, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Cubs 7-3.  (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Carlos Zambrano...great pitcher, but flawed.

There may not be buzz around him for steroids, but look at the guy. He's a monster! He definitely has the build and stature for steroids, and his "fits of rage" definitely don't help his case. Throwing and breaking bats, yelling at batters, and arguing with teammates are just a few of the things he's done.

No. 4 Miguel Tejada

BALTIMORE - JUNE 18: Miguel Tejada #10 of the Houston Astros warms up before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards June 18, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland.  (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

We know he's already lied about his age; how do we know he's not lying about using steroids?

Tejada has been questioned in the past, and some rumors ran wild about his usage. But are they true?

...Apparently so. As I was finishing this article, I heard that Tejada was just alleged to have used steroids.

No. 3 Gary Sheffield

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 29:  Gary Sheffield #3 of the Detroit Tigers looks on against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on September 29, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox won 8-2. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Gary Sheffield has the arms of a mammoth and the head of a cow.

His body just looks like it's been on steroids. People have questioned him and it's not hard to think he has taken them at some point.

He has an attitude that seems like it could be steroid influenced, too.

No. 2 Albert Pujols

NEW YORK - JULY 15: National League All-Star Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a single in the sixth inning during the 79th MLB All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on July 15, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/G

No, not Albert Pujols. Are you kidding me? He's the closest thing we have to a savior of the game.

I know, we hope he hasn't taken steroids. But with so many great players taking them, we have to question him because of his great numbers and his status as an elite batter.

If Pujols is tainted, then we have no choice but to throw out all hope of reclaiming the home run title from the clutches of steroids.

No. 1 Manny Ramirez

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 10:  Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks off the field after the Philadelphia Phillies won Game Two of the National League Championship Series 8-5 during the 2008 MLB playoffs on October 10, 2008 at Citizens Bank Ball

Manny? Yes, Manny!

He's been funny, selfish, showboat, unsatisfied, and weird, but he has not been associated with rumors.

Maybe he hasn't, or maybe steroids have driven him to paranoia and now he's trying to seek out as much money as he can before they get anything on him.

Maybe it's steroids, or maybe it's just Manny being Manny...on 'roids.

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written on February 10, 2009 Sports

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