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July 01, 2007
Is there a Steroid Exception?
Barry Bonds is now within hailing distance of MLB’s career home run record; barring some unforeseen development he should overtake and pass Hank Aaron’s career mark of 755 sometime after the All-Star break.
Aaron’s approach to the game was as steady and methodical as Babe Ruth’s, the larger-than-life playboy whose record he pursued for most of his career, was erratic and flamboyant. Also, given that Bonds’ assault on the record began late in his career and has almost certainly been steroid-assisted, there is considerable drama being added to whatever disgraceful racial hatred remains nearly thirty-one years after Aaron retired.
That drama is certain to draw increasing interest in the weeks ahead; however, as usual, those with an urge to comment will probably continue to treat the steroid issue as if there were no such thing as a drug war, while drug policy pundits will predictably remain just as curiously silent on whether ad-hoc steroid therapy has anything in common with the use of other non-prescribed “drugs of abuse.”
Perhaps it’s time for a rhetorical question: how would Bonds, or any sports superstar for that matter, be treated if caught with a couple of ounces of pot in an airport under circumstances as compelling as the known facts in the Balco Case?
Doctor Tom
Posted by tjeffo at July 1, 2007 08:39 PM