Steroids and Carrots

I might argue that, re: "the steroid era", the dead ball era affected all upstanding players equally, whereas the steroid era unfairly prejudices those who cheat. Do players who don't use steroids get their numbers inflated? Or do they get thrown out, like the proverbial baby with the bathwater?

Interesting post though.

I'd like to think that our recent conversation had a hand in the dingers reference, but that's just me.

Don't your politicians have more important things to focus on than who took what when?

Like the current financial crisis, various wars, an incompetent president, a farcical election process etc etc.

I'd seriously question why this type of commission has even been set up.

Comparing the dead ball era to current times isn't exactly fair. The dead ball era was caused by factors primarily outside a players control.

1.Ballparks were bigger; Ebbets Field was almost 500ft to centre, and 400ft to left.

2. The ball was used too long. The ball wouldn't be replaced until it was beginning to wear. In that time the ball became softer and dirtier, making it hard to hit. Also, this was an advantage to pitchers, as a worn ball would curve much more than a new ball.

3. The foul strike rule was adapted at the start of the dead ball era.

4. The spitball was allowed. Pitchers were allowed to put all kinds of shit on the ball.

Now I'm not saying I don't agree with you for the most part Nate. But I think the bigger concern is where congress thinks this is something they sould concern themselves with. They're on the verge of economic recession have been at war for the past 6 years or so, yet are sticking their communitative noses in MLB's business. Fucking brilliant.

P.S. - Nate, thanks for Rolen....and Eckstein.

What I don't understand is, where does congress derive the authority to conduct investigations into MLB? Is this written down somewhere? Are all sports subject to this same government oversight?

I've been confused for a while but unwilling to do any research.

court: pro sports are legal monoplies so they have anti trust exemptions which allows for government oversight to some degree. The pro sports owners have to (you'll love the pun) play ball, as it were.

Knowledge like that is why Nate has an assistant.

How about those of us that get pissed off when professional athletes start taking steroids just because they're violating the rules of the game? I don't really care about records/sanctity/child health very much, but I figure if a professional athlete is playing in a league and one of the rules of that league is "don't take steroids" then punishment, as determined by the controlling body of that league, is entirely appropriate.

OT, you are correct. But baseball didn't ban PEDs until two years ago and most of this shit happened long before that. All of Roger's allegations stem from years before PEDs were outlawed by the MLB.

I totally agree with your comment about how baseball players should not be allowed to have unprotected sex... Derek Jeter has shared his STDs with enough girls.