Another wonderful memory. Why do Dominicans always get in trouble? Miguel Tejada, Samy Sosa, and now Manny… I remember going to lunch my senior year in high shool when Yoncel came with the news. he said: “guess who got suspended for 50 games. it’s someone you would never guess.” Of course i started naming the least likely players to use steriods, but not once did Manny Ramirez cross my mind. I didn’t even eat that day. I was completly shocked. Manny was caught using fertility drugs that are often used to reverse the effects of steriods. Manny said they were prescribed by a physician, but that did not stop the League from suspending him for 50 games. In a 162 game season, 50 games is the equivalent to 25 game suspension in the NBA, or a 5 game suspension in the NFL. That’s Manny being Manny… I guess
50 Game Suspension
Taking Action
Commissioner Bud Selig is completely aware about Steroids. This banned substance (in practically every athletic event) and Baseball have become so intertwined with this epidemicthat it may not be able to survive without its presence. Most players do not seem to live up to the expectations of staying clean leading the author to ask if steroids are just another part of the game as any other aspect of the sport. MLB’s involvement with this problem has extremely negative effects on the game. Steroids are synthetic replicas of the male hormone testosterone used to build muscle, strength, and endurance. Steroids have become such a part of “The New American Culture” that they have destroyed the faith of the audience of a particular sport, and in this instant, baseball. There is a huge doubt that is created by the numerous counts of allegations, both proven and unproven. No one can take this any more… It’s time some one starts taking action.
The Good Ol’ Days
Before 1958, steriods was not a problem in sporting events. Baseball especially. Some of the most prestigous players played befor the 1970′s. A decade before the alleged introduction of steriodsd in baseball. Ty cobb played from 1905-1928, Ted Williams played from 1939-1960. Babe Ruth Played from 1914- 1935, Mickey Mantle from 1951-1968, and Roger Maris from. 1957-1968. It was said that Mark McGwires quest to break Roger Maris’ single season home run record led to the recognition of overly powerful players at the time. McGwire and Sosa went on to both break Maris’ record. Sosa ended the 1998 season with 66 Home runs; only four shy of his opponent McGwire who ended up with 70 that season. The quest to be the best led to the corruption of the good. Maris (for all we know) accomplished 61 home runs clean. His record held for 27 years (from 1961-1998), yet two players break the record on the same year. Why can’t baseball just be how it was like in the good ol’ days?
The Sandlot
Most people have been subjected to some form of dishonesty or treachery. We call it cheating. We live in a victory obsessed society where winning is the most important aspect of a game, and striving to be on top subsequently leaks into everyday life. Competition is all around us. There is no way to avoid it. It is imprinted in our brains that only winning is acceptable…Knowing this, what happens to those who have a different approach? To those who play fair? The term “loser” no longer defines those who are less talented or less threatening, but those are actually willing to cheat! The term “Winner” defines those who can hold up their head, even after a loss, and know they are worthy. This clip is from a movie called The Sandlot… It is the perfect representation of everything that is sacred about the game! Just a bunch of friends playing with one goal in mind; FUN!!!!
The Mitchell Report
In 2007, former United States Senator George J. Mitchell released a 409 page report containing the name of 89 Major League Baseball players that have alledgedly use perfomance enhancing drugs. The report exposes players such as: Barry Bond, Jason and Jeremy Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Roger Clemons, Andy Petite, and Chuck Knobloch. (most of which are under federal indictment). The main purpose of the report was, and still is, to slow the once increasingly use of steriods through-out Baseball. The Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig supported the report, and worked to help resolve the steriod epidemic. The report is not fair in a sense though. Some players are exposed while others still continue their careers without any problems arising because of this Report.
Corked bats
It was a Tuesday. The Cubs were playing the Rays…or as they were called before_The Devil Rays… My cousin, Yoncel, a die hard “Cubby” fan and I were watching the game. I remember it was the first inning and our favorite player Sammy Sosa, a Dominican like us, was making his first plate appearance of the afternoon. I didn’t understand it at first, but shortly after taking his first swing, Sosa was ejected from the game. His bat shattered and the officials found a cork on the field from the bat. Sosa said the bat was his “practice bat.” I may have been a little biased at the time, but i believed him. Now, i see this could have been just another failed attempt to get ahead
After
During the following seasons, Bonds became stronger and faster with increasing numbers in every single category. From 1992-1998 Bonds’ Hr’s increased from 25 to 39 and his Rbi’s increased from 79 to 110. That’s not all…From 1999-2004 his numbers increased once again from 39 Hr’s to 49 Hr’s. His wieght increased from an average 186 to a solid 220. It was incredible how from 2000 to 2004 he did not hit less than 45 Hr’s a season. He not only hit 45 in 2004, but he also turned 40 years old. No one knew Bonds when he hit his first home run on June 4, 1986, but the whole world watched him in 2001 when he shattered Mark McGwire’s single season homerun record. They all watched again in 2006 when he passed Babe Ruth for sole possession of second place on the leader board. They finally watched in 2007 when Bonds Became King passing Aaron on the all time list.
Before
On May 30, 1986 Barry Lamar Bonds made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates at the age of 20 weighing in at 185 pounds. During his first 7 seasons (1986-1992) Bonds averaged 25 Hr’s with 79 Rbi’s. These numbers are average for any 20-27 year old (with the exception of Albert Pujols who has put on far beyond normal numbers in his first 8 seasons) in the Big league. When Bonds was with the Pirates, he was just an ordinary player… Just the son of Bobby Bonds. My father told me that no one spoke of him as an extraodinary player. My father also admited that he did not know who Barry Bonds was before he came to the San Francisco Giants in 1993…That Was Then!
Super Bonds
Based on his Homeruns alone, Barry Bonds should easily make it into the Hall of Fame. His stats [all together] are off the charts. He is the homerun king. He holds the record for the most Hr’s hit in a single season, 73, and the all time record for Hr’s hit in a career, 762. He also holds the record for the most Base on Balls with 2558. He is a 7 time N.L Mvp, 14 time all-star, 3 time Major League Player of the year, 3 time Hank Aaron award winner, and an 8 time gold glover. He is undoubtably the best player of all time. He should have no problem being inducted. Unfortunately, Bonds started the concept of the *Asterisk*. If he is inducted into the H.o.F an asterisk will be placed next to his name to indicate his use of steriods.
Cheating…Everyone Does It!
Stewie Griffin
In a season 8 episode of Family Guy, Stewie is beaten up by a girl. Peter (His Father) is ashamed and takes him to a gym where a trainer suggests steriods for the child. Peter ignorantly injects Stewie and he becomes hooked.
Respusha
In the 2007 movie Norbit, Respusha (Norbit’s wife) cheats on him with her tap instructer while she believes he is at work.
Corey Mattews
In an episode of Boy Meets World, Corey and the High School Seniors take a class trip to the ski slopes. He hurts his leg and is not able to ski, but he meets a girl who works there. They stays up all night talking and she falls for him. Corey decides to go out with her while still with his girlfriend, Topanga.
R. Kelly
“Trapped In The Closet” is a complex song that tells the story of 4 people caught it a large web of cheating.
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart was caught receiving tips about the stock market.
Bill Clinton
Everyone knows the story about President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
Frankie Lymon
He had three wives. In the movie based on his life, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” his three ex wives fight to see who is truely considered his wife and the rightful owner of his fortune.
Kelly Kapowski
On an episode of “Saved By The Bell” Kelly cheated on her boyfriend Zach Morris with the new manager of “The Max.” She then dumped Zach.
Sarah Marshall
In the Movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” Sarah cheated on her boyfriend Peter with the famous singer Aldous Snow.
Timmy Turner
This cartoon show is about a boy with Fairy GodParents who can grant all him all his wishes…(Lucky)
Usher
Usher’s 2004 album “Confessions” consist of songs explaining to his recent girlfriend how he cheated on her and got his ex pregnant.
Jennifer Silcox
My ex-girlfriend… no comment!
Mulan
In the beginning of the Disney movie “Mulan,” she writes down everything she needs to know on the inside of her arm for the quiz the ”Match Maker” will give her.
Odysseus
On his 20 year journey home from the Trojan War, Odysseus spends 7 years on an island with a nymph named Calypso as her sex servant, while Penelope (his wife) was in Ithica awaiting his return.
The California Angels
In the movie “Angels in the Outfield,” the team is helped by actual Angels. They help the team win the Penant.
According to a study conducted in 2005 by the Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles, 65 percent of high school athletes have openly admitted to cheating whereas, non athletes cheat at a rate of 60 percent. Cheating is created by the insecurity that one is not good enough. My purpose is to reach those who work hard with their god given talent. Those who believe they are good enough and able to prove themselves in more ways than one.
