Point/Counterpoint -- Steroid use and testing

There's been a lot of heated argument about the use of steroids in Major League Baseball today.

My friend Harlan Goldberg and I are both passionate fans of America's national pastime.

Here's what we had to say about the steroid controversy.

Point: Harlan Goldberg

Thanks to revelations by ex-sluggers Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti, the steroid problem in baseball has been brought to the forefront.

Can we really call it a problem, though, when it isn't seen as one by the players or the owners?

Despite the demands for steroid testing coming from all directions, don't expect either the owners or the players union to act on this one anytime soon.

The owners have operated for the past few years under the belief that what the fans want to see is power, power, and more power.

While this may seem a somewhat insulting point of view to many hardcore fans, it can't be denied that the home run outbursts and record chases of the past decade have contributed to increasing attendance figures and media revenues.

Even if some of these feats are chemically enhanced, why would the owners want to put what they see as such a good thing in jeopardy?

The players would no doubt balk at the idea of testing as well.

In a sport where ten extra home runs in a contract year can mean a few extra million to a player's bottom line, why would the union agree to forfeit any advantage they can get in achieving better statistics?

The estimated percentages given by the main accusers, Canseco and Caminiti are most likely exaggerated. Both of these players are now out of baseball.

Canseco has expressed bitterness about his exit from the game and has talked of writing a tell-all book.

The estimate given by Jeff Brantley on ESPN of 15 percent is probably more accurate, or we would see more players breaking down quickly after great seasons like Canseco and Caminiti did.

However, it cannot be denied that steroids are a major part of baseball today.

Counterpoint: Emily Liner

Why does Major League Baseball still use wooden bats instead of aluminum?

Simple -- one, to preserve the integrity of the game, and two, to protect the players from serious injury.

These reasons are also why steroids should not be allowed in baseball.

Records like home runs were set by clean athletes.

Hank Aaron would probably be pretty angry if some steroid-enhanced Joe Blow came along and broke his career home run record.

Using steroids is flat-out cheating.

Not only is steroid use damaging to the game, but it is also damaging to the players who use it.

Maybe that's why it's illegal, and other performance enhancers like andro are allowed.

Steroids seriously upset the natural hormonal balance, which can lead to sterility, premature baldness, acne, or an enlarged prostate. What man wants any of that?

Steroids may also cause increased aggression, and it frequently leads to addiction and abuse of other drugs or alcohol. (Does that sound familiar, Ken?)

The most common effect of using steroids is the huge increase in injuries.

Muscles and tendons are much more susceptible to detachment and tears, leading to more surgeries and shorter careers.

Probably the worst thing about open steroid use in the major leagues is the influence that these players have on young kids.

If children hear about their heroes taking steroids, they are more likely to try them.

Using steroids too early stunts growth, and because children would probably not know how much to take, they are more likely to overdose.

For these reasons, random steroid testing needs to be practiced in baseball.

It is true that many steroids can easily be masked, but it will send out a message to the players: cheating will not be tolerated.

There needs to be a crackdown on steroids.

If Hall of Fame status would be taken away by steroid-using players, would they think twice before shooting up or popping that pill?

The owners need to also enforce their own rules; they need to act like parents.

And for those players who don't use steroids but do not want to be tested, just hand over a urine sample and get over it.

If you're clean, you shouldn't have anything to worry about!

Schools use random testing for illegal drugs in student-athletes, and many businesses also test their employees.

MLB is a business that deals with athletes, right?

Case closed.

Well, what do you think? Send your responses to Atlbravesgirl8@aol.com, and I will publish them in the next edition of The High Cheese.