A Passion Foresaken: Steroid Usage in Baseball

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Well unless Manny Ramirez can come up with another excuse that would show why he took a woman's drug, usually taken by players to end the steroid cycle, I think Ramirez has now been added to the elite class of legends that felt they needed more.

Let's look at the most recognizable steroid cases. Rafael Palmero, Roger Clemons, Barry Bonds, Andy Pettite, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Jason Giambi, and now Alex Rodriguez. Those are just some noticeable names that have ruined their legacies with usage of performance enhancing drugs and it is a shame.

If you look at that list, you will see some of the greatest players of their respective eras.

All of them were bound to be hall of famers. Barry Bonds is the "Home Run King." Rodriguez was supposed to be the man that led us out of this era by showing that we do not need to cheat to be legends in the land of baseball. Clemens was argued to be the greatest pitcher of all time. Why take steroids when you do not need them?

Now  Ramirez of all people comes up with this excuse:

"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons."

Why in God's name would you take some pill from your physician and not talk to your trainer about it? Maybe he's shy or afraid of his doctor? Sorry to say Ramirez, but that will not work if you are planning to have that as your excuse. The real reason has to be because it was an illegal substance that his trainer would never allow.

It is a shame too, because Ramirez did not need this drug. Unless he's been taking it throughout his career, he's already hit 500 home runs and was a first ballot hall of famer. Does that recognition not mean anything to the players anymore?

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