Do the Giambi/Bonds "revelations" really surprise anyone who follows baseball? With Bonds in particular, we're talking about a guy who's career numbers skyrocketed after age 35, a time when most hitters are slowing down. How many other numbers may be tainted? Guys like McGwire and Sosa are immediately suspect, but what's really disconcerting is the fact that a player like Armando Rios was implicated; suggesting that even the mediocre players are hepped up on supplements.
The arguments that steroids don't impact statistics are ludicrous -- while steroids certainly haven't been shown to improve or affect hand/eye coordination, which is critical to hitting a baseball, the drug absolutely has an impact on recovery time and stamina, which over the grind of a 162 game season will catch up with a player and contribute to slumps and problems with hitting. The bottom line is that any competitive advantage that is not sanctioned by the sport cheapens the record. Say it ain't so Barry...
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