The Daily Gist: With Ben Istiphan

In a recent interview, Alex Rodriguez admitted he took steroids back in 2003. I suppose that Rodriguez felt that it was now best to disclose himself with dignity and respect, in order to avoid a disgraceful and embarrassing confrontation with congress in the future. On the other hand, it is unfortunate that the onus is still heavily placed upon the players. Major League Baseball is a business, and the objective of every baseball owner is to sell as many seats as possible, at any cost. If performance enhancing drugs equates to more home runs, which thus leads to a high attendance at games, then you can see why an owner would turn a blind eye.

As long as the owners increased their profits, the players could take all the drugs they wanted over the years. If acting now is a means for bringing back the credibility to America’s favourite pastime, then a broader perspective must be examined. The use of steroids in baseball has become so prevalent because of the enormous financial compensations that dictate the game. When success and money become so intertwined, athletes will find ways to gain the advantage. No ball player wants to be the skinny dud earning the league minimum.

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