Mark McGwire Used Steroids?

[Ian]

I disagree. What if Bonds admits it (which I think he will to minimize jail time) but Sosa never does. Then Sosa gets to keep his 66 homers stand as the record? Not fair. And using your last statement as an example, wrong yes, but if a player were to shoot another player, would their records be erased? I don't think so.

Oh well. Happens every day. There are tons of guilty people walking around in the world who, for whatever reason, weren't able to be convicted of their crimes.

But when you're convicted, you're punished. Period. Fair? Maybe not. Reality? Absolutely.

While there is precedent for some sports, there isn't for the big 4 sports. Guys who were found in the NFL to have used steriods haven't had any of there records erased. People still think Merriman is so great and you can't tell me he hasn't found a way to hide his steriod use. Once a guy is caught, I will be suspicious of him forever.

Look, I don't see Bonds admitting his use, as I don't see him wanting to work in baseball like McGwire. Bonds is just going to live off his millions.

Regarding Rose, he broke a rule that has been in place for over a century. If you bet on baseball, even if it isn't your team, you are banned if you get caught. End of story and every player knows it. I have absolutely no sympathy for him.

His records are not erased from the books however as he still holds the hits record.

Rose shouldn't have his records erased, because A. he gambled as a manager and not a player and B. he didn't cheat like these guys did.

Just because none of the big four have ever done it, doesn't make it right. I'm actually surprised that none of them have, really. I think it shows how squishy we've allowed morality to become when it comes to our athletes quite frankly and how much the almighty buck really powers pro sports. If everyone else is doing it and the big four aren't, that's their bad not everyone else's. Let's take this opportunity to right a wrong.

[Hammer]

Rose shouldn't have his records erased, because A. he gambled as a manager and not a player...

Just wanted to comment on this point. The gambling rule applies to all who work in baseball, including managers.

Just because none of the big four have ever done it, doesn't make it right. I'm actually surprised that none of them have, really. I think it shows how squishy we've allowed morality to become when it comes to our athletes quite frankly and how much the almighty buck really powers pro sports. If everyone else is doing it and the big four aren't, that's their bad not everyone else's. Let's take this opportunity to right a wrong.

Never said it was right, but unfortunately, it is the reality. It's a lovely idea to think big money pro sports are suddenly going to develop high moral fiber, but it isn't realistic. Like with all other forms of business, money talks.

[Ian]

Just wanted to comment on this point. The gambling rule applies to all who work in baseball, including managers.

No I totally get it and I get that's why he was banned. The point I'm making is it should in no way have affected his records as a player because his records are not tainted in any way like these guys' are.

[gueli]

As far as the records- lets face it - the records are there.
Should they be eliminated- I do not know- but they should be noted.

Now- NFL & NBA & MLB & (wait who is the other "big one"- oh right) the NHL
all have different rules & regs regarding steroid use.
Mostly the NFL blames the player- does not strike anything he has previosly done (catches,sacks, takles,etc) but removes them from the game (usually 4 game ban).
I do not know the NBA or NHL plan on this-
But in my opinion they should not have these records removed from the books.
Why - because you do not know how much steroids played a part before it became public - these guys are the big fish, but how many others are out there ? I do not think you should rewrite the books. You should make notes about them, not even astericks - but it should be noted that prior to (whatever year BB banned steroids) that some of these stats might have been influenced by steroids.

Is it right - No.
is it fair- well what is ?

Go Baseball. Go team.