The use of steroids has been around for many decades now. Whether you make it into the HoF or not should not be based on how much publicity your steroid scandal was. It’s not fair to the players who have more than worthy careers, but their scandal blew up and went viral. The steroid era is part of the MLB’s history. Players were on steroids and the MLB did nothing to stop it until records were being broken. These players had the skills, stats, and accolades that should be honored in Cooperstown. MLB legends who are worthy of the HoF should be allowed even if they used steroids at one point in their career.
In the MLB 1994-2004 is considered as the Steroid Era, and it produced some of the best and most feared baseball players the game has ever seen. The Steroid Era was part of the game and a part of its history and the players who played during this time should still be honored and not swept under the rug. It was a time in baseball when players were juicing, and the MLB did nothing to stop it.
They didn’t add the anti-steroid policy until 2004. There were only a handful of players who were banned from the Hall of Fame during a time where more than 20% of players in the league were using. Dave Studemen, Manager at The Hardball Times, states, “Baseball allowed these players to play…. It’s well-known that many players took amphetamines … without a prescription for several decades before the 1990s, many of these players are now in the Hall of Fame”. Players like Ivan Rodrigu, Jeff Bagwell, Cavan Biggio, and others are suspected and proven to have used steroids and are still in the Hall of Fame. The MLB has picked and chosen what players they will allow in the HOF based on how much publicity their steroid use got. Which is not fair to the players who are not being allowed.
Many players who played during this time hold multiple records and have stats well-deserving of the HOF. Barry Bonds, the most feared batter of all time, holds the single season (73) and career (762) home run record and is the career leader in walks. Another player, well deserving of the HOF, who failed just one drug test is Alex Rodriguez. He had career stats of BA: .295 HR:696 RBI: 2,086 OBP: .380 and an OPS: .930. These stats are more than worthy of the Hall of Fame.
One of the most dominating pitchers during this era was the “Rocket” Roger Clemens. He played 24 seasons in the MLB, won 352 games, and had 4672 strikeouts. He also won seven Cy Youngs, the most in MLB history. “Why is he not in the Hall of Fame?” you might ask. It’s because he was suspected to have used PEDs, was never actually found guilty, just suspected. Players like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Manny Rameriez, and many more who have the stats and accolades to make it into the Hall of Fame, but sense they played in an era where steroids were pretty much allowed, they aren’t allowed into Cooperstown.
Steroids and PEDs have been proven to enhance training, improving strength, exercise efficiency, recovery time and aiding in injury prevention. But this can only help so much when you’re playing one of the hardest sports of all time. Being strong doesn’t do anything if you don’t have the skill to make good, solid contract with a 95+mph fastball or a 70-80 mph slider or curve with rmps between 2410-2500.
This also goes for pitching. Professionals are going to be able to hit a fastball or hanging off-speed that is down the middle or that missed its spot out of the park no matter who’s throwing it. You have to know who you’re pitching to and be able to hit your spot with every pitch if you want to be successful. One mistake and it’s a bomb.
Steroids don’t help your ability to track down a fly ball, or field a ground ball coming 90+ mph off the bat. You can take all the steroids and PEDs you want, but if your mechanics lack, then you’re going to lack. Baseball is a game of skill, and having an athletic advantage can only help you so much in baseball. These players had more than enough skills that are worthy enough to make the Hall of Fame.
