A Shortage of Diamond Heroes

Past generations have their collection of heroes and legends. Be it Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, or Jackie Robinson, they savor the moments and memories forever.

They honor them with worn jerseys and baseball caps, black-and-white photos and newspaper clippings, or just the stories to be told of baseball’s golden age.

Yesterday, provided a long list of the legendary names, but today the pickings are slim.

Today, we stare into a dark sky filled with falling stars, making a wish to travel backwards in time. In modern times, names have ballooned on the diamond, only to be punctured and deflated by the same needles of stardom.

When Barry Bonds slugged home run No. 756 to become baseball’s new home run king, he was shunned for the accomplishment. Suspected cheaters achieve without celebration, and are recognized by asterisks.

But many didn’t fret, because they felt his moment at the top would be a short stay. America’s newest hero, Alex Rodriguez, was on a staggering pace to someday shatter Bonds’ feat.

But now, with SI.com reporting that Rodriguez once tested positive for steroids, we’re left with one less hero and far less hope.

More than 30 years earlier, Hank Aaron claimed the slugging crown, surpassing Babe Ruth’s 714 home runs. In 1974, Aaron withstood the death threats and public criticism over an African-American breaking the longstanding record of a white hero.

He was scrutinized, with some refusing to sit him on the throne, because the Bambino played in fewer games.

Now here we are in 2009, with Rodriguez added to a slugging list that includes Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, and Palmiero, and suddenly, a nation that wouldn’t readily accept Hank Aaron’s achievement is viewing the former Brave as the home run king and the truth of baseball.

It took acts of cheating for him to finally gain his recognition. That alone is sad.

Two of the greatest sluggers of my generation have tested positive for steroids. One of the greatest pitchers (Roger Clemens) tested positive, as well.

Players who collected baseball’s biggest earnings and sold the most merchandise have tested dirty, and I’m left with few diamond heroes.

Now I’m skeptical of everyone, from Pujols to Howard, and anyone posing a power threat at the plate. With the findings over the years, it’s difficult to think otherwise, and it hurts those playing the game in fair grounds.

According to the rules of the game, “three strikes and you’re out”. Well, with the newest revelation, I’ve seen more than three, so maybe I should have been gone long ago.

But I love the game, and can’t find it in me to make that separation, though expectations have been altered.

Unlike the past, where I gathered the rosters to project the next surprise team to make a world series run, I now collect photographs and inflating stats to project the next cheater. Baseball has entered its darkest days.

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