The logic is kinda skewed:
MLB rules did not ban until apprx 11/17/2005 the use of steroids so therefore using prior to that was not cheating.
BUT
Steroids are illegal to buy and use without a prescription. You can be prosecueted for illegally obtaining and using them.
So in a purely legal since ANY athlete who is using steroids is a criminal and by proxy cheating.
Personally, I am not opposed to steroid use but the facts remain.
1st pt . yes, MLB did have an OFFICIAL rule against steroids and related drugs as early as the mid 90's.
They didn't start testing however until recently. So, it was against the rules and also the law of the country where most games are played.
2nd pt - I too agree that steroids should be used and monitored for proper use by a Team Doc, no question.
However, our opinions don't carry the wt of the law. For example, we might think that it is safe and fine to drive 85 mph on certain roads, but if the law says 60 mph is the limit we get pulled over and fined.
Pt 3/ An organization has the right to regluate the performance of its players and how the game is played,
NASCAR and dragsters take great pains to ensure some guys car conforms to limits on HP, and performance for safety and consitancy, etc. A guy can't use a corked bat or run guys over out of the baseline, etc.
There needs to be an organized well established standard and conduct for all athletes in all sports if the game or sport is to have any meaning.
pt4/ I agree, Bonds being an A-hole and a major star hurt him greatly. He didn't juice any more or less than plenty of other guys that never even got a slap on the wrist. I suspect that from the Comm. on down they just looked the other way and now are embarressed. Now, the public pressure and perception demands they do something.
Bonds is the ideal guy to take the fall for the whole wacked situation. To be fair if you DQ what Bonds does, you gotta DQ a whole bunch of others with him.
