Steroids in Baseball: A Major Problem

Steroids in Baseball: A Major Problem

Over the course of the last century, American culture has become the dominant influence on the rest of the world. American movies, television, music and literature have become in many instances the central form of entertainment and amusement throughout the globe. Although American cinema and music have become important trendsetters in the world today, no one form of entertainment has dominated the world as much as American sports. While this world fascination with American sports is primarily focused on the game of basketball, within the United States, Major League Baseball (MLB) reigns king. Baseball has become the de facto pastime of America, and to its fans much more than just a game. It is an essential part of American society and culture. There have been many instances in which baseball mirrors the actions of the country, and in many ways, baseball represents the heart and soul of the United States. However, recently baseball has come under significant scrutiny because of the issue of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs in the game. Unlike the other great eras of Major League Baseball, including the Lively Ball Era from 1921 to 1940 and the Expansion Era that lasted from 1961 to 1976, the Steroid Era has brought on many negative effects that have been detrimental to the game. Although the use of steroids ultimately comes down to the individual players desire to use performance-enhancing drugs, much of the blame also needs to be placed on the fans, owners, general managers and media figures involved with baseball. While blame can be placed at many different levels throughout the game, because of the performance enhancing qualities and effects of steroids on a player, all statistics and records from proven steroid abusers must be stricken from the books.

While the exact dates may vary, most sport pundits classify the Steroid Era as lasting from 1993 to 2003, a ten-year period. Many significant and important events have taken place within this ten-year stage, and in order to fully understand the Steroid Era and the issues surrounding it, one must be completely educated on the entire spectrum of events. Currently, the issue of steroids has been in the news quite frequently. On March 30th, 2006 the Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig announced that former Senate