RE: “Hammer Falls On A-Rod”
Dear Editor, I find Fits News to be a refreshing and consistent voice. Your website tackles corruption and ineptitude in state government with an entertaining and accessible tone. Fits News also tackles stories other media outlets ignore, for which I applaud you and your staff.
However, I would humbly suggest you have committed a judgmental “error” in your interpretation of the most recent steroids scandal to engulf Major League Baseball.
In your recent post recapping the scandal you conclude by saying “(b)aseball isn’t just a sport – it is America’s national pastime, and its integrity must be protected.” You then go on to opine “(MLB commissioner Bud) Selig should go a step further and strip these tainted stars of their records.”
I am curious how you reconcile this condemnatory language with your prior statements in another column supporting the legalization of drugs?
“There is absolutely no compelling reason to restrict this individual liberty (which was enjoyed by the founding fathers, it’s worth noting),” you wrote in this post. This raises a question: If you support the legalization of drugs, as you say you do, why not extend this liberty to baseball players regarding the substances they choose to put into their bodies? Moreover, as to your contention that the statistics of steroid users ought to be stripped from baseball’s record books I am also confused – did not a great number of “juiced” hitters accumulate these statistics against “juiced” pitchers? Does it all not come out in the wash?
No disrespect intended, I merely wish to raise these points given the remarkable degree of consistency with which you traditionally advocate on the issues. I await your response eagerly.
-Anonymous
SIC SEZ
Thanks for the kind words! And thanks for reading. You raise a REALLY good point. I guess the first thing I would point out in response is that baseball isn’t just our national pastime, it is also a workplace – and businesses get to set the rules for their employees in the workplace. Moreover, every major league baseball player has agreed to abide by these rules. Having said that, your basic point – “why shouldn’t ballplayers be free to use steroids?” – is a perfectly valid one. I’m going to have to give that some more thought for sure! Thanks for raising the issue and I look forward to similarly thought-provoking letters from you in the future!
20 comments
Just make a “Steroids League Baseball” and let the dopers duke it out there.
SNL’s All Drug Olympics
“Oh…..he’s pulled his arms off!!! That’s got to be disappointing…”
LMAO!
Back when SNL was much funnier a higher % of the time. Good Link.
Just make a “Steroids League Baseball” and let the dopers duke it out there.
SNL’s All Drug Olympics
“Oh…..he’s pulled his arms off!!! That’s got to be disappointing…”
LMAO!
Back when SNL was much funnier a higher % of the time. Good Link.
Well first by being open about using if the stats. are going to matter. It should be a “level playing field.” Not only pitchers vs. hitters but the entire league roster……..
…………OR just quit keeping statistics .
714,60,61,56,.406 …..get outta town ……..!
Well first by being open about using if the stats. are going to matter. It should be a “level playing field.” Not only pitchers vs. hitters but the entire league roster……..
…………OR just quit keeping statistics .
714,60,61,56,.406 …..get outta town ……..!
Require everyone that is paid by baseball to take steroids. Then move the fences back.
Require everyone that is paid by baseball to take steroids. Then move the fences back.
It is a workplace and people who use PED’s will have an unfair advantage even though they may be doing a great deal of damage to their body. People who do NOT use PED’s will have a disadvantage and will not be rewarded for their hard work bc they did not want to use something harmful. I know life is not fair, but these guys signed a contract with the owners and a union to abide by rules put forth by their employers and agreed to them. If you go back on a contract (private contract law) there are repercussions to breaking it, ie suspended and lose of pay. There is nothing to debate because this is a private contract, not a freedom question.
It is a workplace and people who use PED’s will have an unfair advantage even though they may be doing a great deal of damage to their body. People who do NOT use PED’s will have a disadvantage and will not be rewarded for their hard work bc they did not want to use something harmful. I know life is not fair, but these guys signed a contract with the owners and a union to abide by rules put forth by their employers and agreed to them. If you go back on a contract (private contract law) there are repercussions to breaking it, ie suspended and lose of pay. There is nothing to debate because this is a private contract, not a freedom question.
Excellent reply Sic. Tough question and thoughtful answer. :)
Excellent reply Sic. Tough question and thoughtful answer. :)
The issue – any little league, high school or college player that has dreams of playing major league baseball would have to juice to get there. That’s why it is such a big issue.
But what do I know. I’ve got shit for brains
The issue – any little league, high school or college player that has dreams of playing major league baseball would have to juice to get there. That’s why it is such a big issue.
But what do I know. I’ve got shit for brains
Not so sure it’s as easy as apples and apples.
We’ve established that smoking dope has some small potential harm to the human body (debatable if it is the same or less than cigarettes), we’ve also established that smoking dope (or drinking) and driving don’t go together. Those two possible dangers aside, who else does it hurt – simple whoever pays for the munchies: but nobody else.
On the other hand, we have unequivocally established that juicing has long term serious negative effects of the body including serious physical and mental damage (‘roid rage or shrunken testicles anyone?).
The work place argument holds water here. Why does MLB outlaw aluminum bats – two reasons, they make the game more dangerous and they’d have to build new parks. Why does MLB outlaw steroids – reason one plus the chance of damage to a marquee player. It begs the question – why has MLB been so lenient so long? Life time bans would send the message.
Pete Rose hurt no one with his gambling (he never bet against his own team) but he’ll never play another inning.
I don’t really care about sports much. Steroid use is their business. But I definitely disagree about your roid comments affects. Doctors have started handing this stuff out like candy to the oldie goldie crowd so they can get it up again. Not sure the jury is in on the damage aspect yet.
Not so sure it’s as easy as apples and apples.
We’ve established that smoking dope has some small potential harm to the human body (debatable if it is the same or less than cigarettes), we’ve also established that smoking dope (or drinking) and driving don’t go together. Those two possible dangers aside, who else does it hurt – simple whoever pays for the munchies: but nobody else.
On the other hand, we have unequivocally established that juicing has long term serious negative effects of the body including serious physical and mental damage (‘roid rage or shrunken testicles anyone?).
The work place argument holds water here. Why does MLB outlaw aluminum bats – two reasons, they make the game more dangerous and they’d have to build new parks. Why does MLB outlaw steroids – reason one plus the chance of damage to a marquee player. It begs the question – why has MLB been so lenient so long? Life time bans would send the message.
Pete Rose hurt no one with his gambling (he never bet against his own team) but he’ll never play another inning.
I don’t really care about sports much. Steroid use is their business. But I definitely disagree about your roid comments affects. Doctors have started handing this stuff out like candy to the oldie goldie crowd so they can get it up again. Not sure the jury is in on the damage aspect yet.