ped's and the hall of fame

Running head: PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS AND HALL OF FAME 1

Major League Baseball Performance Enhancing Drugs and the Hall of Fame

Connor W. O’Shea

Sports Management 201- Dr. Perryman

Keuka College

MLB PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS AND HALL OF FAME

Introduction

Money and sports have always been linked and that trend has continued without any

hesitation. In Major League Baseball, the lure of big money pushed players harder and

pressured them to perform at their peaks. The continuous, constant training and

conditioning needed to perform at these levels could only get players so far and presented

them with obstacles, such as injury. Because of these pressures, and constant wear and

tear on the players bodies throughout the 162 game season, players felt the need to gain a

competitive edge; not only to put themselves at the top of the game, but as a recovery tool

to heal their ailing bodies.

These pressures led to what has been called the “Steroid Era” of Major League

Baseball. Although this was called the “Steroid Era,” the use of illegal substances in

Major League Baseball was not a new issue. Baseball’s drug scene can be dated back to

the 1960’s where amphetamines where extremely common among players. Players would

take these pills called “greenies” which would relieve the players of jitters and relax

them. In 2003, Tony Gwynn spoke out about baseball’s amphetamine problems. He

estimated that 50 percent of position players were using them routinely, many of them

before every game (Kreidler 2005).

In 2014, Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles and Cameron Maybin of the San

Diego Padres were both suspended for amphetamine use. It was reported that baseball

greats such as Willie Stargell and Willie Mays were heavy users of amphetamines back in

their playing days (Bush 2010). Because amphetamine use in baseball flew under the

radar and never surfaced, people are hesitant to classify it as a performance-enhancing

drug when in reality it is because it sharpens focus, increases energy levels, and helps an

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athlete overcome exhaustion. There are evidently players in the Hall of Fame who used

amphetamines, so what makes them any different from players who used steroids? There

is an interesting debate in Major League Baseball and in Cooperstown debating whether

or not players who used performance-enhancing drugs (or those speculated to have used)

have a place at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Known Performance Enhancing Drug Users

Each year the Baseball Writers’ Association of America cast their votes on the

years Hall of Fame class. Each year new players are added to the ballot and if they

receive less than 5 percent of the total votes they are removed from the ballot. Known

performance-enhancing users have been losing traction in the recent years. The vote

percentages of these players have been steadily declining and approaching that 5 percent

cut off. A member of the 500-homer and 3,000-hit club member, Rafael Palmeiro, was

recently removed from the ballot this past winter after receiving 4.4 percent of the votes

(Baseball-Reference).

Notable players who have been accused of using these performing-enhancing

drugs are Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriquez, and Roger

Clemens. Barry Bonds is the all time leader in homeruns, most homeruns in a single

season, and most career walks. His steroid use was introduced in the BALCO report,

which was a San Francisco based company that supplied “invisible” steroids, which

would fail to appear on drug screens. To this day, Bonds has denied his steroid use and

was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for providing false

information to the grand jury during the investigation (Fainaru and Williams 2006).

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Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were two of the most remarkable power hitters

in baseball history. McGwire and Sosa gained the eye of the nation in 1998 when they

were both in pursuit of Roger Maris’s single season homerun record. McGwire ended up

at the top with a record 70 homeruns (Baseball-Reference). Both of these players are

members of the 500-homerun club and have always been correlated with each other but

they share one major difference. McGwire actually admitted to using steroids over the

course of his career, but Sosa has not and the evidence against him is vague. In an

interview with ESPN he said, “I will calmly wait for my introduction to the Baseball Hall

of Fame. Don’t I have the numbers to be inducted?” (Adames 2009).

Alex Rodriquez was one of the most highly publicized prospects of his time and

followed that speculation up with a remarkable career. His career has been highly

controversial because of his lucrative contracts and involvement with performance-

enhancing drugs. Rodriquez was one of the players named in the Biogenesis scandal by

Anthony Bosch. Rodriquez was then suspended for 211 games and as of November 2014,

has admitted that he used this banned substances (Weaver 2014).

Roger Clemens is one of baseballs most notable and decorated pitchers of his

time. He was a staple in baseball for 24 years and joined the 300-win, and 3,000-strikeout

clubs (Baseball-Reference). His career was also controversial after he was named in the

Mitchell Report. This report was an investigation conducted by formed United States

Senator George J. Mitchell on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League

Baseball. This report included the names of players such as David Justice, Andy Pettitte,

Miguel Tejada, and Jose Canseco. Pettite admitted his use of performance enhancing

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drugs to recover from an injury that was widely accepted and he continued to pitch in the

majors (Mitchell 2007).

Jose Canseco took an unorthodox approach to admitting his use. He was, and still

is, extremely open about his use and doesn’t hesitate to accuse others of use. He wrote a

book called “Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got

Big.” This book was Canseco’s personal account of steroid use in his Major League

career. Not only was it about personal use, but also accused his fellow “Bash Brother,”

Mark McGwire, of using these steroids and actually recalled injecting McGwire himself.

Canseco also identified Rafael Palmiero and Ivan Rodriquez of being involved also. It

seems as if every player that has succeeded and thrived in Major League Baseball

throughout the past few decades has been somehow linked to performing-enhancing

drugs. If performing-enhancing drugs were so prevalent in baseball in this era, why

punish the ones who posted astonishing records and statistics? Both sides of this debate

possess their own unique views and arguments that are persuasive and factual.

Against Performance Enhancing Drug Users in Hall of Fame

Major League Baseball and the vast majority of the Baseball Writer’s association

of America members are more than likely to agree on the fact that performance-

enhancing drug users do not belong in the Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers’

Association of America have evidently backed this side due to the fact that no known

performance-enhancing drug users have places in Cooperstown. The Hall of Fame has

urged the voters and informed them that, “Voting shall be based upon the players record,

playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, [and] character” (BBWA 2014). This statement

published by the Hall of Fame clearly backs the argument that performance-enhancing

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drug users shouldn’t be in the Hall. The fundamental arguments that support this

statement are that cheaters should never win. People argue that they should never be

recognized or honored for their efforts after they have been caught and held accountable

for playing against the rules.

A major similarity between the majorities of the arguments is that performing-

enhancing users on the Hall of Fame ballot take away from the so-called “clean players.”

In the 2014 Hall of Fame vote, Craig Biggio received 74.8 percent of the vote and a total

of 427 votes (Baseball-Reference). To be inducted a player must receive 429 votes, this

means Biggio missed the Hall of Fame by two votes. If performance enhancing drug

users such as McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Clemens, and Palmiero were left off of the ballot

then Biggio possibly may have been inducted in 2014 and wouldn’t have to wait another

year and risk being removed from the ballot. Biggio played for the Houston Astros and

had a tremendous career. He had over 3,000 hits and was a great all around player;

Cooperstown definitely has a spot waiting for him. These performance-enhancing drugs

users also take away from players who never got inducted into the Hall of Fame that

should have been such as Tim Raines, Alan Trammell, Fred McGriff, and Jack Morris.

Many former players and front office personnel have expressed their

dissatisfaction with players using performance-enhancing drugs and them having a

plaque in Cooperstown. Former greats and current Hall of Famers such as Hank Aaron

have been quoted saying “The game has no place for cheaters,” but has also stated that he

is not totally against allowing those players entry to the Hall of Fame, as long as there is

an “asterisk or something mentioned on the plaque that he used steroids” (Madden 2009).

Hank Aaron is understandably going to have a biased opinion regarding performance-

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enhancing drugs and their users because his all time homerun record was beat by

someone who “cheated” but it also is very honorable and respectable to the game that he

is open to allowing them in at all.

Another former player and Hall of Famer Andre Dawson has been a little more

direct and non-forgiving in his approach. When asked about these performance-

enhancing drug users, Dawson replied that, “[These] Individuals have chosen the wrong

road, and they’re choosing that as their legacy” (Neyer 2013). Former United States

Senator from Kentucky and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning has also been vocal in

regards to this issue. Bunning said the following:

“They work hard to get where they are today and if you want to know how they

feel about sharing the stage with players who took shortcuts to beat their records,

just go to the Hall of Fame dinner on Sunday night. The message is simple-

cheaters need not apply” (Bunning 2009).

It seems that if these players are acrimonious about the fact that they worked hard and

had successful careers, without any supplementation and they feel as if the players who

took shortcuts cheated them out of these accomplishments. These players keep arguing

their viewpoints on this issue but ultimately they are in the Hall of Fame and the

performance-enhancing users are not and their chances seem to be diminishing.

Other notable supporters of the argument that they shouldn’t be allowed in the

Hall of Fame include Frank Thomas (2014 Hall of Fame), Lou Gorman (former General

Manager of the Boston Red Sox), and former pitcher Denny McLain. In an article posted

by McLain called “Steroids, the Polygraph Test, and the Hall of Fame,” he discussed

how “The Hall was supposed to be for playing accomplishments only, but now we have

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the electorate judging character […] The message that these players have given to our

kids and grandkids is to disregard fair play for personal gain,” (McLain 2007). The

context of this message contains a moral message about right and wrong, and the judging

of those actions. At the same time, his actions during his career give him no room for

discussion. He was involved in bookkeeping and gambling, which is also cheating. It

seems that these people have apparent and worthy reasons that support their argument

that cheaters should not be allowed to be in the Hall of Fame. Although these are

legitimate reasons, there is a multitude of people on the other side argue that

performance-enhancing drug users who have the careers that are hall of fame worthy

should be permitted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Allow Performance Enhancing Users in the Hall of Fame

In recent years, Hall of Fame voting has become based on factors that should not

determine if a player is inducted or not. It has become grounded on moral judgments,

finger-pointing, and baseless speculation about crimes that may or may not have

happened decades ago. The Hall of Fame’s mission is, “Preserving History. Honoring

Excellence. Connecting Generations,” (Hall of Fame). This is mission statement is very

unique and ironic. The all time leader in homeruns, also the holder of the most homeruns

in a single season record, and the all time leader in hits are not in the Hall of Fame

because of their own exclusive forms of “cheating.” Barry Bonds has 762 homeruns and

Pete Rose had 4,256 hits, which are both incredible records and a clear indicator of career

success. If the Hall of Fame really wants to preserve history, honoring excellence, and

connect generations then they should include players, regardless of what happened with

performance-enhancing drug use. If anything, voting these playing in could be used as a

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learning lesson to future generations to exhibit the importance of fair play and that these

players who used these illegal substances fought a difficult struggle and will always have

an asterisk next to their name. It also is a deterrent for current professional players but

they surprisingly continue to get caught despite knowing the strict drug policies.

Drug use in Major League Baseball is not a new topic and has reoccurred over the

years in different forms. On page 26 of the Mitchell Report it concluded that steroids has

invaded baseball since at least 1973 (Mitchell 2007). It dates back to the use of

“greenies” which gave players a competitive edge in multiple ways. Technology

continuously improves resulting in advancements in drugs and supplements. Knowing

this, Major League Baseball should have enforced a strict drug policy before they did in

2003. Players back in the day actually used these “greenies” or amphetamines to actually

enhance their performance on the field. The only reason the greatest batters of the

twentieth century such as Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Joe DiMaggio,

didn’t take steroids was because they weren’t invented yet.

A common misconception among society is the idea that is that players use

performance-enhancing drugs to get stronger and faster to have more power and

endurance. This may be true, but many if not most players said they used them to recover

from injuries that otherwise would take a toll on their aging bodies. Andy Pettitte was one

of the players that were mentioned in the Mitchell Report. Immediately following being

identified in the Mitchell Report he publicly stated the he used a human growth hormone

on two occasions, stressing he did it to heal faster and not enhance his performance.

Andy Pettite described his use as follows:

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“In 2002 I was injured. I had heard that human growth hormone could promote

faster healing for my elbow […] I felt an obligation to get back to my team as

soon as possible. For this reason, and only this reason, for two days I tried human

growth hormone. Though it was not against baseball rules, I was not comfortable

with what I was doing, so I stopped,” (Pettitte 2007).

After previously denying his steroid use, Mark McGwire finally admitted to using them.

In an interview with Bob Costas on MLB Network, McGwire said “I was given a gift to

hit homeruns […] I truly believe so, I believe I was given this gift. The only reason I took

steroids was for health purposes,” (McGwire 2010). These two confessions provided

substantial evidence that most players used the drugs for personal health. No one can

truly speculate the toll these players endure during the 162 game seasons; with travel,

injuries, games, and the pressure to play and need to meet expectations.

In 2003, Major League Baseball conducted a testing survey to see just how

widespread performance-enhancing drugs use was in the league. Approximately 100

players tested positive which led Major League Baseball to implement a stricter drug

policy. Mark McGwire admitted to using androstenedione during the 1998 home run

chase, which was banned in the National Football League, but not banned in Major

League Baseball until 2004 as a result of the findings. The Baseball Writers’ of America

need to take these things in to account and not fully base their votes on pure speculation

and judgment.

In most cases, the first thing that comes to mind regarding performance-enhancing

drugs is that they invalidate a player’s career if they use them, which may not be the case.

Take for example Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. It is speculated that Bonds began

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steroid use in 1998 based on the extravagant numbers he posted in the years following

including 73 homeruns in 2001 and posting a batting average of .370 in 2002 (Baseball-

Reference). But looking at his career before his apparent steroid use he would still

arguably be a first ballot Hall of Famer. From his rookie year in 1986 to his suspected

steroid use in 1998, he won three National League Most Valuable Player awards, 8 Gold

Gloves, posted a .290 batting average, had 1,917 hits, hit 411 homeruns, drove in 1,216

runs, and stole 445 bases. Those are remarkable numbers for just that span of his career.

The same can be applied for Roger Clemens. It was suspected that Clemens began using

illegal substances in 1996. Prior to this suspected use, from 1984 to 1996 he had startling

numbers and a vast number of accomplishments. He was the American League Most

Valuable Player in 1986, a three-time Cy Young award winner, posted a 3.06 Earned Run

Average, a 1.158 Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched, had 2,590 strikeouts, 2,776

innings pitched, and 192 wins. Those numbers right there are Hall of Fame numbers and

that is without adding the “tainted years,” (Sports 2013).

(Chart source: Sports 2013)

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In Ken Burns’s documentary “The Tenth Inning,” a Washington Post columnist

named Thomas Boswell described a time where he was in a team clubhouse and saw a

player, who was later elected to the Hall of Fame, mixing a “Jose Canseco milkshake.”

This caused a bunch of speculation concerning who it could be in regards to Mr.

Boswell’s vague hint on which player it could be. This resulted in a major issue in the

baseball world (The Tenth Inning). If what Thomas Boswell saw was credible and true

then a performance-enhancing drug user is in the Hall of Fame, which would have

resulted in the admittance of other known users and criticism towards the Baseball

Writers’ Association of America for not voting them in.

In order for performance-enhancing drugs to be deemed as cheating, beneficial

and actually “performance-enhancing” there must be proof or evidence to back it. There

have been no studies or research published or conducted that will prove or disprove the

fact that performance-enhancing drugs will help players hit the ball farther, have more

endurance, or run faster. It would almost be impossible to conduct this type of research

and get significant results. 2008, Tony Gwynn was extremely vocal about the “Steroid

Era.” Gwynn stated that he was part of the Steroid Era and that’s what people are going

to think fifty years from now, although he denies any performance-enhancing drug use.

He said, “Steroids do not guarantee you’re going to have success. I think a lot of the

people think they will but they don’t,” he also went on to say, “It’s about getting in

position and taking a swing. I don’t care if you’re taking steroids or not; if you don’t do

these two things, its not going to matter anyway,” (Shriver 2008). Mark McGwire said

that everyone was using performance-enhancing drugs back when he was playing so why

punish players who actually succeeded and had amazing baseball talents that Major

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League Baseball may never see again. There has been no conclusive relationship between

performance-enhancing drug use and successful playing performance. In Jose Canseco’s

book he said, “How do you determine what- what their stats would be without steroids.

Its impossible to tell,” (Canseco 2005). It takes special and talented players to be able to

hit a 95-plus mile per hour fastball, but it takes an even greater player which inhuman

characteristics to be able to have the power that both Bonds and McGwire had. They had

that special power to hit before they took steroids and it would be extremely difficult to

recreate that power with a drug. More than half of the players on the Mitchell Report

were subpar players and had below average careers that many have never heard of.

Conclusion

My research indicates that players who have took performance-enhancing drugs

and had extremely successful careers with the accolades to back it should have plaques at

the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The arguments for letting them in

the Hall of Fame completely outweigh and overpower the counter arguments. The

numbers that these players put up during their careers are truly remarkable. Past seasons

and the statistics indicate that no player will ever hit more than 70 homeruns in a single

season any time soon or repeat any of the great accomplishments achieved by these so-

called “cheaters.” The closest any player has come to beating Bonds’ single season

homerun mark was Ryan Howard in 2006 when he had 58 homeruns. Mark McGwire had

a career at bat per homerun statistic of 10.61 and is the career leader. Following him is

Barry Bonds with a 12.92 at bats per homerun. This past Major League Baseball season,

two players led baseball with 37 homeruns each, Giancarlo Stanton and Nelson Cruz.

Cruz was named in the Mitchell Report and has ties to performance-enhancing drug use.

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Giancarlo Stanton is one of the best power hitters in the game. This past season, he

posted an at bat per homerun statistic of 14.6. Mark McGwire hit a homerun in in four

fewer at bats and that is during his career, which is astounding and shows continued

success (Single-Season Records).

When Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa were playing it was a great

time for baseball and the fans. The race to beat Roger Maris’ single season homerun

record between Sosa and McGwire was one for the ages. This offensive spike at the end

of the 20th century caused a great deal of fans. As the early 21st century progressed,

baseball started losing fans again. “The Steroid Era,” arguably impeded the game of

baseball. In today’s day and age, baseball is a pitchers league. Strikeouts are at an all-

time high and runs scored at an all-time low. Because of this, baseball has lost

viewership. Baseball needs to figure something out to gain the attention of the national

audience again in ways that players such as Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, and Clemens once

have. Until proven research and viable information and data is provided that shows a

positive correlation between performance-enhancing drug use and the player’s

performance then they deserve to be included into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

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References

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cheaters-ballot

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id=3156305

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