Printable View
Ok. Here we go with my annual Baseball question.
The Steroid Era. I see that there are many players who have either been accused or proven to have taken steroids but are still playing.
Were these players banned at any point. If so, how long for?
Finally, if guilty will these players ever be considered for the Hall of Fame?
If they would be considered do you think it's right?
So far anyone with even rumors to their names that they have used Steroids or PED's haven't come close to the Hall of Fame.
McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Ramirez will all never get into the HoF. I'd be in favor of having a "Steroid Wing" of the Hall where everyone linked to it would go if they would have made it, but no way should they be allowed to go as it stands now.
The bans didn't really start until recent years. A lot of those guilty in the "steroid age" are based on rumor and testimony from witnesses, but there wasn't testing back then like there is now so many can never be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, but the stigma will always be there.
Players are selected through election by either the Baseball Writers Association of America, or the Veterans Committee, neither of which seem to want to induct those marred by steroid accusations.
I'm kind of in the asterisk* camp, kind of like what WDWfanatic742 is saying. There is no denying some of these players achieved greatness, but they cheated. If they ever made it in there needs to be some notation or separation between them and the other inductees. However, I think MLB is trying so hard to distance itself from the steroid scandal that it will never happen, at least not any time soon.
I'm way too tired to look this stuff up so I'm going to post what I "think" I remember.Testing and suspensions began in 2003. Prior to that, there was no rule or penalty on steroid use. Since 2003 there has been testing with a 50 game suspention on 1st offense and 100 game suspension on second. I think lifetime ban on third wich no one has had.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reservoir Dog
Not sure about third offense, but other than that, yes, they are eligible with consideration to the HoF.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reservoir Dog
Personally, I would try to think and see if they would have been a HoF'er without steroids. If so, then yes, I would vote for them.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reservoir Dog
As Maryanne said, it's up to the BBWAA.
On a side note, I wish the veterans committee had never gotten involved. :down:
I like to play by the rules and make judgements based on them, but MLB is making it difficult. They need to pick a stance and stick to it, implementing the consequences across the board. For instance, if a player is removed from consideration for the HOF due to "cheating," then all of the player's records should be wiped. The home run record of 73 should not stand if Bonds is excluded for Steroids/HGH.
I think that a special area should be devoted to the "steroid era." It is a significant point in baseball's history and should be told as part of the story. However, only the ERA should be inducted, while noting some of the more outstanding examples. The players should not be officially inducted.