WOT: Steriods in Baseball, are you still a fan? Options

[MattR]

Two players have come out in two days. Yesterday it was Jason Giambi of the Yankees who knew he took steriods and today its Barry Bonds of the Giants who claims he didnt know they were steriods. What are your reactions? Can you still love baseball? Does this change how you look at these new power hitters? What should Bud Selig do? (commissioner).

For me, I was elated when both a Giant and Yankee were found guilty of steriod use, but when you eliminate the competition aspect from a homer's point of view (go dodgers), but I think this really hurts baseball. I think its similar to the strike of '96, they're going to lose a lot of fans. Its too bad, and I do think its the worst thing to happen to the sport since '96.

[cha914]

Anyone who has been watching baseball for more than the past few years HAD to know roids were a part of the game. Even the freaking middle infielders look like they can bench 300lbs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I had a coach in HS who played AAAball for almost 10 years...EVERYONE is doing roids or some kind of stimulant in pro ball. He said at one point they had him on 3 different kinds of roids, his average build was a 180lb and 5' 10"...that year he was pushing 220lbs!!!

The fans wanted to see more home runs and they got em, I almost can't enjoy sports center any more because the only highlights they show are the damn homers...BORING...where is the real base ball of double steals, sac bunts, etc...you know the small ball? That is what I miss, these days you just get a guy on base and wait for the homer.

[soapbox]
OH and sure baseball may be the least "athletic" sport, but I would like to see Ron Artest be able to field a ground ball, throw it acuratly 120ft to beat the runner, then come in and hit a 85+mph 2inch ball with a round bat (statisticly the hardest thing to do in ALL of Sports), and finally he would get to do what he is good at and run...WOOO...yeah that running is hard stuff, and he could even punch the first baseman... my point being there is just a *little* bit more of a skill set in baseball than most of the more "athletic" sports.
[/soapbox]

don't worry, I am not upset, I like having this argument with all of my baseball hating friends (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

And to answer the question, no I don't think it will hurt baseball that much at all, other than to maybe bring the homerun count down a little...its old news to every baseball fan I know...it might actually be good for baseball, if they handle it well, we will see.

Tony (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)