As we all read this week (see it here), Senator Mitchell’s long-awaited report on steroids is out. I can’t imagine any of us are surprised by the findings. Given the chance, people cheat. And athletes are in a high-pressure, perform or die environment. But just because we expected this, shouldn’t we all be a bit more pissed off?
I am struck by the collective yawn this story has caused. Bonds will still keep his record, and most certainly a trip to the hall of fame. A few parents have noted that, “Now I have to explain to my kid what happened” or some such, but really no one is that angry!
Well I am. I’ll tell you why: If other men and women who work in the public eye cheat or lie to get ahead they get crucified. Public servants, from cops and firefighters all the way up to Bill Clinton (little minor lie, Billy) get no break. Whatever it is you do for a living out there, you would get no break. Use illegal drugs, get fired. No questions asked. Especially if you lie about it.
These lying cheaters are going to continue to collect millions per month to play a game. Their excuse?
“Sure we cheated, but everyone was doing it.”
Just add a “mommy” at the end of that sentence and you start to understand who we are dealing with here. What do you think?
Dec 14, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Honestly- baseball lost me years ago, back during the strike. I am bothered by *what* happened, but I am unaffected by who.
And unsurprised.
Dec 14, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I couldn’t agree more. I remember saying, “stay on strike…” I just wish with all these kids looking up to the athletes (nothing we can do about that) they would do a better job. Sigh.
Thanks for visiting…
Dec 16, 2007 at 9:29 pm
That sucks. It really does. Sport plays such a big part in people’s lives in North America, I feel for the kids and frankly anyone else who admired the players and like to watch a good game.
I’m not sure about the “given a chance, people will cheat”, though. I do believe in honesty and I think people are better than we think… if we give them a chance.
Dec 17, 2007 at 1:52 pm
They’re going to keep making millions because people keep buying tickets and sports stuff.
Until people get sick of the lying and stop watching the games and buying their stuff, they’re going to keep getting away with it.
What player can get a salary if they don’t have any fans?
So, what does that say about their fans? They are no different than the players.
Jan 8, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hey– totally agre with you on this-
how come you didn’t post when Adam had his Barry Bonds thread?
mommy– lol– you are awesome!
Jan 9, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Hey- caffeine part of of steroids thinking?
Hasn’t anyone been guilty of something? Not you Aristotle? But in order to win, IF IT IS YOUR THING, then cheating seems to somehow come to play– I cheated on exams- I would write dates on my hands so I could remember– that “A” was always so much better than the “B”– Now ask me which dates– no clue–