Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Continued use of Steroids in Baseball

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Steroids continue to find the headlines in major league baseball. The 2011 National League MVP, Ryan Braun recently tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. The reigning MVP was later given a 50 game ban by the MLB as a punishment for his positive test. Braun later appealed the suspension and eventually had it overturned, the first suspension of this magnitude ever overturned in baseball history.
The article explains that Braun did test positive for PED's, or performance enhancing drugs, and did plan on appealing his 50 game suspension. The article also says that Braun called the test results "BS." ESPN reported that Braun took a test in the 2011 playoffs and was informed later in October of the test results. The article says Braun tested positive for high levels of testosterone in his system. The tests showed the testosterone in his system was synthetic. Braun claimed his urine sample had been tampered with from whoever was handling it. Whatever evidence he had to support this accusation was good enough for the MLB to overturn their ruling. The article also shows other MLB players showing their support for Braun as he was going through this rough patch.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2011/12/ryan-braun-steroids-50-game-suspension-appeal/1
Image DetailIn class we discussed steroids and their harsh effects on the body on 4/3 and 4/5. We  discussed the 6 major categories of performance-enhancing drugs which are : stimulants, narcotic anagesics, anabolic steroids, beta blockers, diuretics, and peptide hormones. These drugs are very dangerous and can become addictive as well as lower a person's life expectancy. We discussed the fact that sports are now drug filled, with drugs that cannot be detected by the testing policies in place by each league. For me being a huge sports fan, I really wish there was a way to remove PED's from every league for good. Coakley speaks to the fact that it is so tough to deter athletes from using these substances because it gives them the athletic advantage on page 184 of his text. He says the substances help them pursue their dreams and keep them in the sports which are their jobs. He also says that drug testing is needed to not only keep a level playing field, but also protect the health of these athletes. Coakley says drug testing is controversial as their are powerful arguments for and against it.

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