"Say it ain't so, Joe"
Maybe the saddest words in baseball, if not all sports. Gambling, drugs, whatever form cheating takes, it tarnishes not only the player, but the whole sport. How do you deal with it as a player, and perhaps more importantly, as a fan?
Now we have another "great" player whose records have become suspect in light of more steroid revelations. Yes Virginia, it's A-Rod. What's next? Jeter kicks little kids? Cal Ripken knocks over convenience stores? Who is left to believe in?
The same excuse is now being offered up that was used for Bonds & Clements. They were great ballplayers anyway. Perhaps, but let's not forget that this is a two-headed dragon. Yes, they do build muscle-mass, increasing strength. But Picasner thinks the larger benefit is the fact that they promote healing, which means recovery from injury faster and lessens the severity of those injuries. Both Clements and A-Rod are noted for outrageous workout sessions. With steroids aiding ability to work longer and harder, those revelations make more sense.
No doubt, there are some players whose abilities were greatly helped by the PEDs, but that doesn't excuse those who were helped simply by not losing time to injuries. So far, we have not heard anything regarding Ken Griffey, Jr. It has often been said that Griffey's numbers would be outrageous if it were not for all his injuries. Assuming he was not guilty of using PEDs, this all makes even more sense, now, doesn't it?
Baseball has a major problem, now. What should be done about the numbers that have been put up in the last 10-15 years? And how do you treat those players?
Picasner wishes he had some answers. I'm going to go have a beer. ...and cry.
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