The New York Times is reporting that both Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for steroids in 2003 under the same "anonymous" test that also caught A-Rod. Some people will be shocked by this news, but that's because they are asking the wrong question. We should not be asking who did steroids during this period, but who did not use steroids? Jose Canseco estimated that at least 85% of all players were using them, and since he's been right about most things so far, as much as I hate to, I trust him on this as well.
The biggest misconception, however, is that this was somehow limited in time to a "generation." The people who have studied this in detail, and that does not include George Mitchell whose report looks more and more ridiculous every day, date the beginning of the steroid era to 1984. Peter Gammons says he thinks 1986 is a better year, and I'm fine with that, but this is not just something that appeared in 1998. Let's also not forget that what Mark McGwire took in 1998, at least what we know of, was not only legal in baseball it was legal in the US and could be bought at GNC, and I believe it's national spokesman was Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies. Also, since those who tested positive in the minor leagues for banned substances were split 50-50 hitters and pitchers, we should ask who got the biggest benefit?
This was not a new problem that suddenly exploded onto the scene, it had been developing and increasing for a long time. And long before the public knew about it those inside baseball knew about it and did nothing. Why would they, everyone was making money? The commissioner could have implemented testing and punishment anytime he wanted to in the minor leagues, where there is not a players union, but he didn't do so until 2001 and even then the punishment was only 15 games.
To think that "cheating" in baseball is anything new is ridiculous as well. The Hall of Fame is filled with guys who cheated by scuffing the ball or using spit balls long after they were illegal, among lots of other things. I even heard Peter Gammons once say that Ted Williams, without argument the greatest hitter of all time, used a corked bat the last year he played in order to increase his bat speed. How many more home runs did Mickey Mantle hit because he was taking greenies then he would have hit without them? (and by the way, Roger Marris was also using them in 1961 when he hit 61, so how "pure" is that record? And I love the M&M boys).
Let's just deal with the era for what it was. There is no way Hall of Fame voters are ever going to know who did or who didn't so just vote on them like normal. Because, after all, did steroids really help Big Papi become a better hitter in the ninth inning with the game on the line? I don't think so. People who love baseball usually know the history of the game as well, and so we'll talk about these 20+ years for what they were, they will be asterisked, and then let's move on because until you can prove to me someone wasn't using I'm tired of hearing about it. And for those who think this is ridiculous, let me ask you if you still watch the NFL and are talking about steroid use there or do you just not care?
One final question: Do Red Sox fans have the temerity and sanctimoniousness to still taunt A-Rod when he returns while applauding Ortiz?
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