Transcript Steroid Era
The Steroid Era By: Lucas Qualman How did the steroid era affect baseball’s regulations, its popularity, and US legislation? What are Steroids? • • • • Controlled substance as of 1990 Used to better athletic ability Multiple side effects Type of performance-enhancing drug (PED) along with human growth hormone (HGH) Beginning of an Era • • • • Jose Canseco was first known user All illegal drugs banned by MLB in 1991 Testing began in 2001 Positive test only meant treatment The BALCO Scandal • Involved athletes from many sports • Led to stricter regulations in baseball Early 2005 Steroid Rules: 1st positive test – 15 game suspension 2nd positive test – 30 game suspension 3rd positive test – 60 game suspension 4th positive test – 1 year suspension 5th positive test – commissioner’s discretion “Three strikes and you’re out” • Bud Selig changes rules again in 2005 – 10 players have been caught under these rules Current Steroid Rules: 1st positive test – 50 game suspension 2nd positive test – 100 game suspension 3rd positive test – lifetime ban Mitchell Report • • • • Compiled by former Senator George Mitchell 20 month investigation Found “a serious drug culture within baseball” 86 players named – 7 MVPs and 31 All-stars • No suspension handed out Popularity in 2004 • • • • • Attendance up 14.4% in first 3 weeks Average attendance 29,718 in 2004 Rays jump from last in attendance to eighth Fans have negative opinion of steroids Record crowds Record Breaking Performances • 1 home run per 91 at bats in Babe Ruth’s time • 1 home run per 30 at bats in 1999 • Mark McGwire battles Sammy Sosa for most home runs in a single season in 1998 & 1999 • Barry Bonds sets most career home runs record in 2007 Memorabilia Sales • • • • Roger Maris game jersey from $100,000 to $350,000 Sosa rookie card from $120 to $15 McGwire rookie card from $250 to $30 Investors avoid current players Player Opinion in 2005 • 79% believe steroids played a role in record-breaking performances • 80.2% think less than half of players use PEDs • 35% think steroid users should be stripped of records or have them denoted with an asterisk • 69% feel punishments for being caught are severe enough New Legislation • Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 – Amended the Controlled Substance Act – Broader definition of steroids • John McCain introduces the Clean Sports Act of 2005 – 2 year ban for first positive test – Did not pass From the Field to the Courtroom • Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds both indicted – Both for lying to congress • McGwire, Sosa, Canseco testify at congressional hearing on steroids What was the Effect on Baseball? • Creation of new rules • Popularity increased while credibility decreased • New legislation and player prosecution