Rethinking Steroids and the Hall of Fame
About Joe HagstromJust a regular working stiff who figured out why there are people with no health insurance who are against national health insurance. They're Faux News watching idiots.
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Baseball Hall of Fame ballots were counted today and for one of the few times nobody made it. The biggest names on the ballot were Roger Clemons, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa. Of course the baseball writers refused to vote for them because of their connection to steroids. And as old baseball commissioner Judge Landis said: “regardless of jury verdicts” the three were guilty as hell.
Up to now I was in agreement with the majority of writers who thought steroid users should not be rewarded with induction to the Hall. But, after looking at the big picture, who am I to make that judgment?
Baseball’s Hall of Fame has plenty of S.O.B’s enshrined in it. Cap Anson and Ty Cobb were racists to the extreme. Commissioner Landis did all he could to bar black Americans from the major leagues and Branch Rickey had to wait till Landis was dead before bringing up Jackie Robinson.
Gaylord Perry, while not an S.O.B. was famous for throwing, or convincing opposing hitters, he was throwing spitballs. So yeah, Perry cheated. He’s in the Hall of Fame.
All through the history of baseball there have been very few who the casual fan would pay money to see. In the 20’s and 30’s most people went to Yankee games to see Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Later people paid to see Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams. Then Willie Mays and Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle.
The list goes on. In 1998 there was the great home run derby between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. People paid to see them hit home runs. They paid to see Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson pitch. Then Barry Bonds got hot. People paid to see him. These guys were the faces of baseball. Not a skinny shortstop or second baseman. Baseball marketed itself through these guys. They made baseball money.
I’ve been a baseball fan my whole life. One of the best days I had at Wrigley Field wasn’t watching the Cubs. It was watching Pete Rose in his last year. It would be hard to find a bigger S.O.B. than Pete Rose. But 30,000 people were there to see him play baseball. When he took batting practice we all watched him spray the ball anywhere he wanted. He even took one deep just to show he could. He played first base that game. I don’t remember him doing anything spectacular. The Reds won.
I also saw Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa at Busch Stadium and Barry Bonds as well. I never saw Roger Clemens in person, but I wish I had.
One guy gambled on baseball and denied it. I’m still glad I watched him play. The others took stuff that prolonged their careers and made them better players. If we’re all honest with ourselves, not many of us would refuse that deal. And despite the goody two shoes moralists who think it’s their job to protect the sanctity of a game that allows bigots and S.O.B.s into it’s Hall of Fame, I do appreciate the memories Bonds, Sosa, McGwire and Clemons left us, and as good as their numbers were I think of all the other players that were using drugs and managed to stay under the radar. The four guys I mentioned stood out against a league that was on steroids.
Maybe it was for the money or glory that players used drugs. But they also loved the game. They used drugs so they could play better and longer. Baseball fans enjoyed the thrills they gave us. I have no problem giving them the thrill of being in the Hall of Fame.
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James Smith
January 10, 2013 at 10:17 am
I always think of the quote from Pete Rose, “It’s men playing a boy’s game.”
Despite the gambling, PR was one of the best players of all time and no one loved the game more or played harder. Then, my first wife went to high school with him so I did meet him once at a reunion thing. That does color your opinion.
Joe Hagstrom
January 10, 2013 at 10:38 am
If I was offered a pill that would help me win the Pulitzer that MadMike has been lobbying for me to get I’d probably take it.
Guys take Viagra. Chicks get plastic surgery. Just being realistic.
James Smith
January 10, 2013 at 11:50 am
Would you take that Pulitzer pill if it made your pubic parts shrivel? There are limits, but maybe not the same for everyone?
Joe Hagstrom
January 10, 2013 at 12:09 pm
If they offer a Pulitzer for shriveled naughty bits no doubt there would be a run on Pulitzer pills.
James Smith
January 10, 2013 at 12:13 pm
The irony is, the Pulitzer would probably help you get laid.
I agree though, there would be a run on the pills.
Bill Formby
January 10, 2013 at 1:18 pm
I am with James On Pete Rose. “Charlie Hustle” really made the game fun to watch. I still believe that he should be considered for the Hall of Fame. Gambling on the game is one thing, but the fact that he broke records is still a testament to his on the field skills and love of the game.
Johann Wagener
January 10, 2013 at 1:36 pm
if these clowns want to juice, then let them be up front about it so those that play fair are aware that there are those who want to win at any cost, even if it means cheating. Arrogance and lying are what corrupts, not steroids. Sure, put them in the hall of fame but be sure to but a big footnote that they only made it because they juiced!
Just a bunch of pussies who can’t cut it without some help.
Michael John Scott
January 10, 2013 at 4:55 pm
The Pulitzer pill will make your pubic hairs shrivel? Damn pharmaceutical industry. That being said don’t these players get tested for steroid and other drug use? If so why do so many seem to pass?
James Smith
January 10, 2013 at 5:31 pm
Pulitzer candidates are smarted than the average. They are more likely to know how to avoid getting caught. But, even Lance Armstrong eventually was, so stand by for updates.
Mr. Dean
January 10, 2013 at 5:11 pm
I get sick and tired of these whiny sports “heroes.” They aren’t heroes but overpaid, underworked pussy boys who indulge themselves at every opportunity. I don’t think there should even be a hall of fame. Fuck ‘em!
Michael John Scott
January 10, 2013 at 5:16 pm
LOL! Well why don’t you tell us how you really feel Mr. Dean, although I agree with you on the self-indulgence.
anonymous
January 11, 2013 at 10:21 pm
I dont care if they are on drugs as long as they win. It costs A LOT of money to go to the games, so why not be happy when they win and not worry about how they won? Everybody is doing it dude so we need to level the field man, you know , all for one and everyone.