tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post7204306527109441816..comments2024-01-28T22:16:50.852-06:00Comments on Mr. Dilettante’s Neighborhood: Big Mac and Roids — IIIMr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13920907647566015611noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-74212903053430442122010-01-14T19:08:37.790-06:002010-01-14T19:08:37.790-06:00i meant 'better' as in compared to the oth...i meant 'better' as in compared to the others, who were all on roids in the first place.<br /><br />we are talking about a game where 1/4" means the difference between a home run and a pop out, where the batter has already decided to swing at a pitch before it leaves the mound<br /><br />strength and speed are meaningless up until the point of contact, and their uses are but brief flashes of time.Ginohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606046924332159076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-80223271326256537262010-01-14T18:35:00.437-06:002010-01-14T18:35:00.437-06:00a heard some baseball god once explain that if eve...<i>a heard some baseball god once explain that if everybody was off the roids, the top 10 leaders in all the various catagories would still be the same.</i><br /><br />Could be. Impossible to prove, though, and in a few cases (Brady Anderson, Luis Gonzalez) probably not likely. Over time, it would definitely be true.<br /><br /><i>and with 97% of the game taking place between the ears, nobody was made a 'better' player because of roids.</i><br /><br />Well, maybe. I'd cite my example of Mark Carreon as a person who was temporarily better. But it didn't last.Mr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920907647566015611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-3904137823459141222010-01-14T17:59:14.840-06:002010-01-14T17:59:14.840-06:00a heard some baseball god once explain that if eve...a heard some baseball god once explain that if everybody was off the roids, the top 10 leaders in all the various catagories would still be the same.<br /><br />so, the roid era was just a much a level playing feild as any other era.<br /><br />and with 97% of the game taking place between the ears, nobody was made a 'better' player because of roids.Ginohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606046924332159076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-17979543054798823492010-01-14T14:23:02.964-06:002010-01-14T14:23:02.964-06:00But they aren't *actually* the greatest, right...<i>But they aren't *actually* the greatest, right?</i><br /><br />It's a complicated question, which is why I'm using a multi-part series.<br /><br /><i>Any pussy-footing around the issue will only encourage future athletes to do the same.</i><br /><br />That's one way of looking at it. I'd suggest that there are other ways, especially understanding (a) there is always a bit of larceny in the human heart; and (b) the idea of gaming the system is as much a part of baseball as bats, balls and bases.<br /><br />But we're getting ahead of ourselves.Mr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920907647566015611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-48413113008720031302010-01-14T14:09:59.486-06:002010-01-14T14:09:59.486-06:00But they aren't *actually* the greatest, right...But they aren't *actually* the greatest, right?<br /><br />I say kick 'em out. Or don't let them in. And don't listen to crap about "did it for my health" or "technically not illegal at that time." Allowing excuses will only encourage players to try to slip through the cracks. The point is to associate physical enhancement through unnatural methods with shame and LACK of success. Not to be able to look at the next guy over and say "well he got away with it."<br /><br />Any pussy-footing around the issue will only encourage future athletes to do the same.my name is Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15484587200951022679noreply@blogger.com