A Light in the Darkness: Albert Pujols Is a True Hero During a Dark Time

The Power of the *.

So many true American icons have been smudged by that *.

Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Jose Canseco...

So many Future Hall of Famers, all with their bronze plaques marked by an *. That darkness has blanketed the world of sports for the past two decades.

That darkness is the Steroid Era.

That darkness is coming to an end thankfully, thanks in part to a light that shines through that darkness.

Albert Pujols, one of the greatest to ever grace the game of baseball, is that light.

Pujols, along with others, has proven there is a different path, an ethical path, an honest path.

So many have denied their use of performance-enhancing drugs; some have excuses—there are no excuses. No injury can excuse the fact that they used steroids, the easy way out.

Pujols has shown that through hard work, determination, and a cold shoulder, they do not have to cheat their way to the top.

For quite some time now, Pujols, along with Alex Rodriguez were the honest people in baseball. But that all came crashing down when Sports Illustrated reported that Rodriguez injected himself with steroids.

A-Rod did the correct thing though—he came out, admitted what he did, apologized for it, and went right back to work.

If all these trademark American icons that have their records and stats blemished with that *, then they would be forgiven, and would be voted into the Hall of Fame.

So thank you Albert Pujols and so many others, for making America's Pastime enjoyable.