Steroids, HGH and Supplements, Oh My!

I have read the Mitchell report. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that I scanned the Mitchell report. It is, including appendices and such, more than 400 pages in length. There aren't many pictures. It is written in attorney speak. Who would want to read it word for word?

Those among us who follow baseball, and even sports in general, know a little something about the Mitchell report. It is authored by former US Senator George Mitchell, and is the conclusion of a 20-month investigation into the use of illegal and banned substances by professional baseball players.

Barry Bonds has been the steroid poster child for the last few years. Bonds, who broke into the majors as a skinny, fleet-footed Pittsburgh Pirate, is finishing his career as a large, slow power hitter with anyone still willing to pay his salary. The all-time home run king is hated for his alleged cheating and various public relations blunders.

In the court of public opinion, and I think in reality, he is guilty. The question is, beyond Barry Bonds, who else is guilty, and how widespread is the problem?

The conclusion of the report -- many are probably guilty, and the problem has been widespread. I was glad to see that my past and present favorite players were not named, guys like Ryne Sandberg, Derrick Lee, and Albert Pujols. But like many, I was surprised to see many current and former All-Stars, including Roger Clemens.

So much has been written about this topic. To me, it all boils down to this. Players take this stuff because they want to perform better, because better performance leads to more lucrative contracts. Guys like Bonds earn $15-20 million annually, payed for through TV deals, ticket prices, and jersey sales. Bonds earns that kind of money because fans support MLB with their wallets. If we didn't go to the games, buy the Cracker Jacks, turn on the TV, and slip on our favorite hat (AKA reduce the demand) things might be different.

But, who's kidding who? Things will not change. Some percentage of athletes will always look for ways to get ahead. This is not new -- it is the human condition. And, why not inject yourself with HGH for a couple years, avoid detection (MLB drug testing does not detect HGH), and sit on your pile of millions the rest of your life? Not an unattractive life, depending on your scruples.