Quote:
Originally Posted by the 'stache
Steve, it's been said that as long as there is the incentive to cheat, the cheaters will always stay ahead of the testing methods. We may just have to realize that there is no way to ever completely clean up baseball. If they were able to reduce drug usage, the players would find another edge. I guess it's human nature. It doesn't make things any easier. I'd love to know that everybody was on an even playing field. But it sounds like a dream at this point unfortunately.
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That was pretty much my point. There will always be a way to get an edge. some legal, some not.
Many things currently banned were ok at one time, blood doping was controversial in the 80's and is banned now. (Train at altitude, have blood taken while it's rich in red cells, then just prior to competition have that blood put back in. - Instant improvement in oxygen capacity) That was relatively safe, EPO does the same thing but isn't.
The 1880's case in cycling involved a mix of cocaine, caffeine and strychnine. It apparently was neither unusual or illegal at the time.
In the 30's many athletes smoked, holding the belief that it would open up the lungs.
It's simply not stoppable no matter what penalty is involved.
That's not to say there shouldn't be penalties, WADA typically issues a 2 year suspension for the first offense.
Now if people want to retroactively take away awards and records......
Illegal substances are banned right?
And Alcohol was illegal from 1920-1933.
So I'm thinking a ton of records need to be reassessed.
Welcome our new HR record holders! Roger Connor and Gavvy Cravath. (Ok, maybe Gherig instead of Connor)
Steve B
(My edge in softball was being a swing for the fences pull hitter in BP, and a singles hitter to all fields in the game. I think it was legal, and worked great till people caught on to it.)