Sports in America Steroids in Baseball

Lesson EQ What impact has steroids had on the game of baseball?

1980s Home Run Totals American LeagueNational LeagueTotalYear

1990s Home Run Totals American LeagueNational LeagueTotalYear

Steroid Era 1987 – Mark McGwire hit 49 home runs – “juiced up ball” – Total – 4, – jump of 2, 655 more home runs

Testing in Baseball 1991 – MLB bans steroids 2003 – year baseball began testing for steroids and other performance enhancing drugs Policy – – The first positive test will result in a suspension of up to ten days. – The second positive test will result in a suspension of thirty days. – The third positive test will result in a suspension of sixty days. – The fourth positive test will result in a suspension of one full year. – Finally, the fifth positive test will result in a penalty at the discretion of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Players will be tested at least once per year, with a chance that several players can be tested numerous times per year.

Suspension for Steroids

Cheaters or not? Mark McGwire Statistics – Homeruns during last 10 years 1992 – – – – – – – – –

Cheaters or Not? Barry Bonds – Homeruns during last 10 Years 1993 – – – – – – – – – –

Other Sports Testing Policies NFL - Steroid use is banned. Players are randomly tested, and those testing positive could face game suspensions. NBA - Rookies are tested up to four times per season, and veterans are subject to one random test during training camp. Prohibited substances include amphetamines, cocaine, LSD, opiates, PCP, marijuana and steroids. Penalties range from game suspensions to lifetime bans.

Other Sports Testing Policy NHL - There is no mandatory drug-testing policy. The only drug testing that is done is for players that are already in the league's substance abuse aftercare program. Players who are abusers can seek help the first time without being exposed or suspended. NCAA - Athletes are randomly tested at NCAA championship events and football bowl games. Banned substances include cocaine, amphetamines, ephedrine, anabolic steroids, diuretics, heroin, marijuana, peptide hormones and urine manipulators. Athletes who test positive for any banned substance are ruled ineligible by their schools for at least 365 days and lose one year of eligibility.

Writing Activity Write an essay answering the prompt below. – Essay should be at least 5 paragraphs long – Be sure to include specific examples from the articles – Also include SRA paragraphs Prompt – Steroids have been a part of baseball since the mid 1980s. What impact – positive or negative – has steroids had on the game?