The Effects of Steroids in Baseball
The actual time when steroids became part of the baseball world is unclear. Some players said steroids were being used as early as the 1960s, but the drug's hold on the game didn't really start until the late 1990s. Since then, many have questioned and debated how steroids have changed the history and integrity of the game.
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History
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Baseball players have always looked for illegal edges, whether that was putting spit on a ball, tampering with a bat, stealing signs or taking amphetamines to increase energy. At some point, steroids made their way into baseball clubhouses in the 1960s, but had no real effect.
Debate vs. Other Sports
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While sports that relied on strength and bulk, such as football and wrestling, battled steroids throughout the 1970s and 1980s, baseball seemed to have no problem. The theory was that great ballplayers didn't need muscular bulk and, therefore, steroids were useless in the sport. As a result, the sport did little testing.
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The Home Run Explosion
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The 1990s home run explosion was the first clue that steroids were being used by players to get stronger, quicken reflexes and play through injuries. However, many fans put the onus on diluted pitching, smaller parks and better training. The statistics from this era are questioned because of this.
A House of Cards
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Admissions by former league MVPs, such as Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti, to using steroids while playing led to people questioning what was happening. Almost every player of the 1990s who posted large numbers in offensive statistics was under suspicion, despite the fact that the sport did not ban the drugs.
Major Investigations
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Following 2005 congressional hearings and a 2006 report by Major League Baseball that looked at steroid usage, pro baseball finally banned the drug. Still, problems arose. Several big name players, including the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, have been linked to positive tests. Meanwhile, many baseball fans state the game has been corrupted, even though many players have been suspended.
Outcomes
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While it appears that home run production has increased due to steroid usage and fans are ultimately unhappy with the game, there has been little hindrance at the turnstiles. Attendance at Major League Baseball games, which grew throughout the 2000s, remains high.
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