Sound Off: Should Steroid Users Get in the HOF?

[juicer420]

The writers wrote the stories that turned these players into immortals.
The owners, tv networks, Bud Selig and MLB as a whole cashed in on the use of PEDs.
They created the culture that promoted massive home runs numbers and in essence promoted the use of PEDs.
There was no testing in baseball and although federally illegal, PEDs were not officially illegal in the MLB.
It took 15-20 years before they cracked down on it and only after the federal government got involved.
Much of the blame must fall on the players. They broke the moral code at there own risk of reputation. But the incentives to take that risk were created by the writers, the owners, MLB and the fans.

Now, some writers take part in vilifying the users. The owners and MLB turned their backs on the players to save their own skins. The fans became huge hypocrites when they call out other users and continue to idolize the players from their favorite teams that were users. And the PED users are hung out to dry and take all the blame.

This entire messed was created by everyone. With all this said, the Hall of Fame, which is a collection of the game's best, is not a complete set.

I personally believe that when a season comes around that there is no sure fire clean first ballot player, the writers, MLB, and the Hall of Fame take the chance to induct all these players at once, mark the induction with an asterisk, and move on from the entire mess for good. This yearly story does nothing to solve the problem or promote the game of baseball in a positive light. It just diminishes the entire induction.

[Perfect Zero]

Quote: Originally Posted by speels

I agree, the baseball Hall of Fame is a joke. I mean there is no way that non-playing people should be voting on who is the best and deserves to be in the hall. These people are writers and in no way are they experts at the game. I think for the Hall to gain any sort of momentum they need to go to a selection committee made up of former players, Hall of Famers, owners, umpires, etc to come up with people that deserve to be honoured as HoF. It is the biggest joke in sports........................next to my Leafs!!

Wait a second here, I never said it was a joke. All I said was its time has gone past. Think back even to the nineties: the only way to really remember a player was old game tape and stat books. Now you can find the ratio of fly ball outs to nose hair if you really want to. The Hall was never a repository of stats, it has always been about protecting the purity of the game. Joe Jackson (wrongly IMO, but a discussion for another day) was not pure and has been left out. Pete Rose was not pure and has been left out. Barry Bonds was not pure, and will be left out.

I can go on Baseball Reference right now and tell you the hundred greatest players of all time. I can't go on there and tell you the character of the player or the effort they put in. That's what the Hall has always been about and will continue to be about, even if it ignores womanizing, backdoor cheating or bigotry. So many people are mad that the Hall is not purely about the stats when it was never meant to be in the first place.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by juicer420

The writers wrote the stories that turned these players into immortals. The owners, tv networks, Bud Selig and MLB as a whole cashed in on the use of PEDs. They created the culture that promoted massive home runs numbers and in essence promoted the use of PEDs. There was no testing in baseball and although federally illegal, PEDs were not officially illegal in the MLB. It took 15-20 years before they cracked down on it and only after the federal government got involved. Much of the blame must fall on the players. They broke the moral code at there own risk of reputation. But the incentives to take that risk were created by the writers, the owners, MLB and the fans.

That part's not true. Although there was no testing until 2004, steroids were banned by MLB in 1991.

[juicer420]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

That part's not true. Although there was no testing until 2004, steroids were banned by MLB in 1991.

Yea, I shouldn't have made it such an end all statement there, but what I meant was that there was no official system governing it and no associated penalties for taking PEDs. MLB's policy has always seemed more about appeasing the government then cleaning up the game.

Having it banned and not testing for it or punishing anyone for use is the equivalent to making drunk driving illegal, but cops don't pull over, test, or arrest anyone suspected of drinking and driving.

[TheMatrix31]

Yes.

[Bryzine21]

They should definitely NOT get in the Hall of Fame.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by juicer420

Having it banned and not testing for it or punishing anyone for use is the equivalent to making drunk driving illegal, but cops don't pull over, test, or arrest anyone suspected of drinking and driving.

Mmmm, I tend to think of it more like banning cocaine at your place of work. Just because they're not testing you for snow means it's okay to snort it at your desk when nobody's looking.

EDIT: DOESN'T MEAN, of course

[rtkiii]

no

ten words