Major League scandal

By Clay Allen Sports Central Columnist

Ken Caminiti's recent revelation about his steroid use during his MVP season illuminated a professional baseball scandal that many have suspected, but few wanted to believe. And in apparent hatred for the game, for his former teammates, and for fans who lived in a fantasy baseball land in which men can hit homeruns at every at bat, Caminiti not only incriminated himself, but claimed 50 percent of big leaguers use steroids, as well. Baseball has fought to recapture the hearts of fans over the recent seasons that have followed the players' strike. Without two seasons of homerun races that saw Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and then Barry Bonds shatter the single-season homerun mark, baseball would probably still be floundering. Major League players didn't notice the miracle, apparently. Or at least Caminiti didn't.

Caminiti's statement that the majority of baseball players use steroids leads fans to conclude that the record-breaking seasons posted by McGwire and Bonds were not a result of superior physical prowess and perfect swing motion, but of drug abuse. McGwire and Bonds may have tainted the record books, instead of adding to them. Although Caminiti did not specifically name Bonds and McGwire, the increase in power in the major leagues unfortunately may be more than coincidental.

And now Major League Baseball and its players must suffer the consequences of one of its less-than honorable spokesmen. Caminiti's confession has allowed fans to see the League's non-existent anti-drug policy. Players claim drug testing is an invasion of their privacy. For fans, it is an invasion of trust.

Trust that baseball players are awe inspiring. Trust that these men spend hours a day training to harness their power. Trust that these men work hard to earn the millions of dollars they get each season. Now fans know that players seem to have super human strength because they do. Steroids help them gain their strength.

True, many players do not use drugs to help gain an advantage. Unfortunately, until the league adopts a policy to screen for drug abuse, many will have a cloud of suspicion surround them. Why not screen and identify? The League can no longer trust the players to not use steroids. Not after Caminiti dropped his bomb.

Again, Major League Baseball seems to be giving into the players while alienating its fans. The League must weigh what is more important: honoring the wishes of the players to not be tested (citing their "invasion of privacy complaint"), or telling the fans that steroids will not be allowed to taint America's past-time. With another player strike looming on the horizon, the League must make its decision carefully. Baseball will not have the luxury of another homerun race to revive its pulse. Now, the fans know that 80 homeruns means that someone is cheating.

Caminiti may be still reeling from his recent crack-cocaine arrest, or upset that his career went from boom to bust so quickly. Whatever his motivation, Caminiti's statements will have lasting consequences. Now, the league has to pull itself out of the whole Caminiti has created.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.