Hi Guys! Just been reading my new Sports Illustrated. It's making me sick. I'm hoping you all have read it, or at least heard some about the latest contorversy surrounding baseball. Steroids.

Maybe I'm a little more sensitive to the Steroid issue having been (well, I guess I still am) an Athletic Trainer. I have seen the statistics and know what steroids does to the body. The thing that gets me the most, is so have they. These ballplayers know what Steroids do to the body. They have seen the statistics, heard about the Lyle Alzado's and seen the physical effects on their body. Bottom line is either one of two things...they want the money OR they want to play. In any case, they think this is the only way. And Major League Baseball allows it! In some cases, they even encourage it. The drug testing they do is a joke! And punishible by nothing. No fines, no sitting, no rehab., nothing!

I can't believe I'm about to say this...but every year I get more and more disillusioned by baseball. The first strike didn't put me off the way it did some people. Some of America is just starting to watch baseball again. Now, they're threatening to strike again. Why? Steroids getting too expensive to buy on a 2 million dollar a year budget? I'm sorry if I have trouble sympathizing, as I may never see 2 million dollars in my lifetime, let alone 2 millions dollars I can blow jetting to Mexico to buy Steroids which inhibit my body's natural functioning AND cause you to hit a homerun, so you can play baseball to make 2 millions dollars to jet to Mexico.

And what if they're not doing steroids? Mark McGwire admitted to being on Andro. Andro is a GNC thing. Not regulated by the FDA, so therefore cannot be banned by the NCAA, IOC, or the professional sports who care enough to test for drugs. But, just because you can sell it in stores, doesn't mean it's safe. Look at Phen-Phen. It was sold as a diet drug over-the-counter and available to anyone. So many years later, they realize all the problems it causes. Just because it's not banned, doesn't make it o.k. to take. Since those "drugs" aren't regualted, they could contain anything!

And Selig sits in his office and claims it's a shame, that he cares, but does he? He doesn't care enough about the player's health to regulate their drug use. (And, for as horrible as it is, at least if they had mandatory surprise drug testing the players would have to cycle their use at least giving the body some time to recover; instead of enduring the chronic use or abuse of Steroids) He doesn't care enough about the fans to mandate a "fair" game. He even claims the fans WANT to see the homeruns and strikeouts, more than they want to see a the game that inspires childhood memories. And the records! I want to see Mickey Mantle's record or Hank Aaron's records broken by a drug user? Do you mean to tell me that hitting 60 homeruns in a season without drugs should be surpassed by someone who has more juice than a Florida orange? I'm sur eI could hit a 95 mile and hour fastball out of a 400 something foot ballpark if you gave me horse juice. And then, I could say I'm better than Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, or Hank Aaron!

As you can tell, the current state of baseball really has me upset. For as hard as Athletic Trainers, Team Physcians, and even coaches work to keep the college playing field somewhat level, in mandating surprise drug testing and proper coaching/playing techniques; the "exceptional" college player gets drafted into a team which immediatly begins teaching Steroid use for hitting and pitching excellence, not to mention how to groove a baseball, or cork a bat. Maybe what Mr. Selig and the baseball community really needs to do is invest in creating a long term alliance between fans and sport, instead of trying to patch a broken relationship by encouraging drug use and cheating as a means of making money. Money. which is what it really all comes down to. Who cares about the health of the players. If they want to use drugs in order to give better performance which will create a fan base and put people in the seats to make money.

There are two things I'd love to see baseball change. Add mandatory drug testing ( like college...surprise -sort of-) and create a salary cap, like the NFL. And if Mr. Selig can't do it...we need to bring in someone who can. they only people, truly with the power to do it are the fans. :)

Hope you all have a good Sunday! Go Phils! :)