Big surprises in the report on steroid use and the use of “performance enhancing drugs” in Major League Baseball, eh? — NOT!
I wonder how many years we want to continue this cultural hypocrisy that sees pro sports of any kind as 1) noble inspiration for the youth of our nation, and, 2) big-money, high-stakes business geared to the bottom line?
The MLB “scandal” really demonstrates that kind of hypocrisy. We tell young men and women that they can get paid unimaginable amounts of money for being the very best at playing a game. Then we pat them on their heads, chuck their rosy cheeks, and tell them to be shining examples, above all else, of truth, justice, and the American way.
We, as a society, SAY we adhere to the old adage by Grantland Rice (I think?): “It’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game.” But look at just about every aspect of what we do as a nation and you’ll see we live by those words attributed to Vince Lombardi: “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
If you truly believe there was NOT a time in MLB, NFL football, pro tennis, NHL hockey, or any other pro sport when players didn’t do SOMETHING or take SOMETHING to get an edge on their opponents — hey, then I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn I’d be willing to sell you cheap. (Okay, one caveat — I doubt pro golfers ever use steroids. I mean, really, it’s just golf, it’s not a real sport.)
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
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