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Sports

Canseco's book sells out players

Stat Whiz

Todd Kastendiek

Jose Canseco is a rat. He took the word "teammate" and threw it in the trash along with the steroid needles he used. Thanks to Canseco, no one in sports will be able to trust any other player because of fear of a "tell all" story leaking out that they may have used steroids.

If you don't think players like Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi or Mark McGwire are juiced, then you need to wake up and smell the fresh cut grass. Just look at Bonds' skull. He looks as if he suffered the same fate Ken Griffey Jr. did when he was diagnosed with acute gigantism from drinking too much nerve tonic in an episode of The Simpsons.

As for Giambi, he already admitted taking steroids, and then proceeded to apologize repeatedly to reporters. He said "sorry" enough to make anyone think the news conference was nothing more than a one-sided victory for Giambi in the famous board game with the same title. He should have just accepted responsibility for his actions and moved on. I do have to respect him for admitting to using steroids, but it was a horrible idea to apologize repeatedly for something we knew he and other players have been doing all along. It didn't help his cause in any way.

Then there is McGwire, who according to Canseco took steroids at least twice. McGwire was left high and dry by a guy who needs attention, and more importantly, money. Whether or not Canseco told the truth, he was smart enough to use a couple of high profile names to help send his book, Juiced, to the best seller's list after only one day. I don't need to read Canseco's book to decide who takes steroids. Just look at some of the big players today, and then look at a picture of them from a few years ago. They look to be two different people, and it is not because they aged.

I have to say that a part of me believes Canseco. I really hate to believe him, just because of the reason behind this book. What does he have to lose? He knows he will never be a part of baseball again, but it doesn't mean he has to take everybody down with him. He should have just followed the late Ken Caminiti's example and admit that he used steroids and left it at that.

So when did Canseco "juice up?" It was quite possibly his MVP season of 1988, when he hit .307 and drove in 124 runs (both career highs). He also hit 42 home runs, but it wasn't much more than any other year except for injury-plagued seasons. In 1987, McGwire won the American League Rookie of the Year, hitting 49 home runs and driving in 118 runs. McGwire never again reached those numbers until 1996 when he hit 52 homeruns and drove in 113 runs.

Why do players use steroids in the first place? Baseball, like any sport, is highly competitive. It is definitely a here today, gone tomorrow sort of game. Players will do anything to stay ahead of the competition and assure their spot on the roster. 

With the players association not likely to allow steroid testing, baseball will continue to walk hand in hand with steroids as long as "chicks dig the long ball." Players want to hit the ball harder and farther. Even if players use performance enhancers, it still takes a tremendous amount of talent to play the game day in and day out. That is why I'll continue to watch the boys of summer.

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