Literature Review:

Steroids in Baseball and How to Solve the Problem

Steroids in Baseball and How to Solve the Problem

            The topic of steroids in Baseball is a highly debatable and problematic issue facing fans and players across the globe.  Fairly recently steroids have become a major problem in sports, despite the fact that they have been around for over a half century. ( Donohoe and Johnson, 1986)  In Major League Baseball players like Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, and Jason Giambi have been targets of criticism bringing the topic to a whole new level.  All of baseball must decide on how to approach this problem in years to come and just how they will mark the history books at the Baseball Hall of Fame.  The ultimate question being pursued is: which path of action do fans of baseball see fit?  The many ideas floating around about how to deal with steroids include, “legalization, legislation and enforcement, education, and/or changing societal values and attitudes about physical appearance and winning in sports.” (Yesalis and Cowart, pg. 192, 1998)  It is hypothesized that the best path of action for all of sports will be to outlaw the use of steroids and to heavily enforce this.  As far as the record books go, it is hypothesized that an asterix will be placed next to certain names and/or a certain time period to mark when steroids became prevalent across baseball.  The following literature reviews will attempt to support these views and further the information regarding the subject of steroids in baseball and the Hall of Fame.

            In the Labor Law Journal Paul D. Staudohar (2005) addresses some of the policies that have already been enacted in baseball and also some of the reactions by fans.  It chronicles how cheating within baseball has been generally more common then other sports.  Factors like, “doctored balls, corked bats, and stolen signs,” according to Staudohar, have been known methods of cheating in the past.  The inclusion of steroids poses an entirely new way of cheating that harms the body as well.  An alarming study is cited in the paper where, “198 athletes capable of performing at the Olympic level [were] asked if taking a drug would provide a certain win and no probability of being caught, only two of the athletes said that they would not take the drug.”  This study shows that athletes minds are often controlled by an incessant want and need to win.  You really can’t blame it on them though because our culture supports the notion of winning.  A new policy was enacted in 2005 that would require all baseball players to be tested at least once within the course of the season.  Over fifty baseball players were caught using steroids and, “it was predicted that violators would be vilified by fans and the media.  Yet, there has been scarcely a ripple of condemnation.”  The paper attributes this to punishments that are not strong enough and the fact that 95% of the players caught were in the minor leagues.  The rules being put in place in Major League Baseball have been focusing on eliminating steroids from the sport completely.  This can be seen from the rules put in place in 2002 and the changes made for 2005 (Staudohar, 2005).  This shows how MLB is beginning to deal with the problem by enforcing some rules.

            Vanessa Gangidino’s study entitled, Playing Against the Rules, shows just how it is visible that players are taking steroids, risking their health for success, and reasons why MLB has been so slow at enforcing steroid laws.  A study found that there was a 20% increase from 1997 – 2002 in the length that a player spends on the disabled list.  This has been partially attributed to the fact that steroids build up muscles quickly, putting stress and strain on ligaments which can lead to injuries.  Gangidino points out that, “to spectators this “edge” [massive muscles and performance] looks like talent.” (Gangidino, pg. WRW – 31)  It is more than obvious though that the league knows about this problem and has been reluctant to fix it.  Another study conducted assessed the Human Growth Hormone and its affects on sports.  This study and Gangidino’s both found similar results when it came to the question of why would scientists and developers continue to make these illegal drugs?  “There is a market for their services, and the demographic is extremely wealthy and willing to pay,” according to Buffa, Rettke, Catrambone, and Connor. (pg. 15)  Hopefully Major League Baseball will look past the money that could be made marketing these “juiced-up” players and turn toward the side of ethics.  Our hypothesis states that they will and recent actions and rules support that this is where they’re heading. 

            One theory that has been studied over the years is that of the rat race.  The belief that people will do whatever it takes to stay alive or keep up.  Benjamin Allaire conducted empirical research in 2006 regarding steroids in baseball.  His research showed the trends from the late 90's, when there were no laws against steroids, to the present.  It gave evidence that power statistics like Home-runs and slugging percentage had a noticable decline from the late 90's. (Allaire, pg. 7)  This research supports the trend that MLB is attempting to completely eradic steroid use by implementing stricter penalties.    The book, Foul Play, by Donohoe and Johnson also exhibits the rat race philosophy stating that, "athletes may feel forced to take drugs in order to keep up with opponents who they believe are taking similar drugs."  (Donohoe and Johnson, pg. 129)  At this point in time I would hypothesize that if asked, "Do you believe that steroids sholdn't be involved in sports?" most baseball fans would agree, but most wouldn't really understand the effects that steroids can have on a person's body.  Foul Play also notes this point that everyone deserves to be well educated about steroids and their effects so that when it comes down to banning certain drugs everyone involved will be well informed  (Donohoe and Johnson, pg. 144).

            The man under the headlights of the media over the past couple of years has undobtedly been Barry Bonds.  If you were to ask someone, "what comes to mind when you here the word steroids?"  There's a good chance they'll say Bonds.  It is important to our research to look into the Bond's case because a) he is a huge figure in baseball today b) everything he does or says is recorded because the media is always around him c) he is extremely close to breaking the record for most home-runs in a lifetime held by Hank Aaron.  If this were to happen then the Hall of Fame would have several questions to ponder regarding voting him in or not.  It would be a much tougher decision then the present one just because he has had so many statistically good seasons, yet no way of knowing if or when he took steroids.  An article entitled, Court rules feds are entitled to baseball steroid testing data, by Kravets and Elias explains how the results from the 2002 testing were seized and how a constant limelight has been focused over Bonds (Kravets and Elias).  The book, Game of Shadows, mainly explains the Bonds case and everything involving BALCO (a steroid producing and distributing company), but it also discussed the testimonies from the recent Supreme Court case saying, "baseball doesn't get it.  It's policy is a joke, and the Garibaldis left Washington with little hope that attitudes were changing." (Fainaru-Wada and Williams, pg. 246)  This government involvement has had its problems, but it's believed to be working because of the changes that MLB has enacted in 2005. 

            An article from 2006 stated the dillemma that we are looking to research quite well in its title, "From Hall of Fame to Hall of Shame." (Strupp)  The questions that are and will be posed to the MLB Hall of Fame will have a big effect on the game itself.  This is exactly why we are doing this research to figure out just what people think about steroids and how they want everything to be settled.  If representatives of the Hall go against the majority of people they could be potentially throwing away baseball fans.  A journal article by Skip Rosin details the recent Hall of Fame voting results that involved Mark McGwire, a player who broke the single season record for home-runs in 1998 and has never been tested (because he retired before it began).  The article states, "This was not a legal decision.  We may never know if Mr. McGwire cheated, but in the eyes of the public, and on the ballots of those sports writers, there was enough question to keep him out of the Hall of Fame."  This statement was made in regards to the recent voting that put Ripken Jr. and Gywnn in the Hall and left McGwire out.  Although McGwire isn't in the Hall, his records still are and it is the hope that this reseach will help pinpoint what fans feel is a proper way to explain this period of steroid use.  Are people ok with leaving records in the Hall that may have been achieved using steroids?  Hopefully we will see.  An article in the New York Times explains how, "the verdict on McGwire could have a trickle-down effect on the Hall of Fame chances of other players who have been linked to steroids."  Is this what fans want, though?  It may be, but only time and rules put in place by baseball will help the matter (Curry, pg.2).

            A survey conducted by the Business Wire in October of 2006 shows how many baseball fans feel and is essential in shaping our hypothesis for our research.  It found that 51% of fans felt that MLB wasn't doing enough to combat the steroid problem and that only 18% of fans said that they didn't care at all about the steroid situation (Business Wire, pg. 1-2).  These cold, hard statistics really help lay out where people are at the moment in regards to steroids in baseball.  It can give a good estimate of the percent of fans that really care about this issue.  With our hypothesis and research we are looking to build on findings like these and determine just how people would feel about certain players getting into the Hall or what they think about enacting different methods to cut down on steroid use.

            In recent news there has been some talk about different methods of combating the steroids problem; methods that would enact much more harsh penalties.  In The Journal of Legal Medicine Jarred Tynes offers up some ideas on a new solution, "eliminate the statistical achievements and records of any player who tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs or other illegal substances."  This idea comes from The WADA code which was used effectivly for the 2006 Winter Olympics (Tynes, pg. 9-10).  Another pathway would and is combating a younger generation in hopes that the steroid problem can be eliminated by reaching the youths of today.  The ATLAS program is detailed in the book, When Winning Costs To Much.  It gives participants ideas for different vitamins, eating solutions, and work-out plans (McCloskey and Bailes, pg 112-114).  Their is no doubt that the future of steroids in baseball lies in the hands of our generation, but will programs like this be enough to eliminate it entirely.  Slowly, but surely many states are helping combat the steroid problem.  States like Michigan and Florida are using the ATLAS program.  Others like California and Georgia have completely banned the use of any steroids.  Many continue to put other drug prevention programs into place (Fainaru-Wada and Williams, pg. 11).  This supports our hypothesis that most people would like to see steroids eliminated and getting further research on what methods people believe work will certainly help for the future.

            When it comes to steroids there are just so many questions that can and need to be asked.  They have invaded our sports and threatened the integrity of many players and people.  What exactly do people see as a fitting way to solve these problems?  Can we allow players that have been shrouded in steroid talk into the Hall of Fame?  And what about records that are being broken today; should they count?  Which is the best course of action for MLB policy?  Hopefully the results of our research will determine how fans feel, in turn giving baseball authorities an idea of which way to vote when it comes to making important decisions.  Steroids are hurting baseball, player's integrity, and most of all their health.  This problem must be solved before it gets to out of control and Major League Baseball needs a certain route to take.

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