The big news today, of course, is the release of a 409-page report from an independent investigation into illegal performance-enhancing drug use in Major League Baseball. For those who want to read the report in its entirety, the PDF can be found right here via Yahoo!’s Sports page. There are essentially three major points that can be gleaned from this report:
* There was widespread use of illegal steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs by Major League Baseball players for more than a decade, in violation of federal law and baseball policy.
* Some of the game’s biggest stars — like slugger Barry Bonds and pitcher Roger Clemens — used drugs.
* Players from all 30 teams were found to use drugs at some time in their careers.
Now, depending on your level of cynicism, you might not be that surprised. I really wasn’t surprised about some of the players that were indicted in the report, but I was surprised how big the scale was. The report goes into extensive detail on how a culture of hear-no-evil, see-no-evil persisted for years and how it’s contributing to the sport being tainted by unnatural abilities that were fueled by drugs.
In a way, it makes sad sense. These players are being paid huge money, and they are scrutinized like no other by fans, commentators and coaches and administrators. There’s immense pressure to stay in top-notch shape and deliver your worth day in and day out. There’s a lot riding on you: tickets, merchandising, money made from sales of beer and food at the stadiums. There’s even more so if you’re anointed a superstar. If you get worn out or don’t deliver, you’re out. Fame and sports are fickle like that.
Eventually, it’s gonna get tiring. Eventually, you’re going to get worn out. So, in a desperate bid to stay relevant, what’s going to happen? Players will be looking for an edge, an advantage. And, of course, there will always be people who are willing to oblige. It’s simple economics: If there’s a demand, there’s going to be a supply.
These people are in a competitive sport. Isn’t it their prerogative to keep their job and keep delivering in any way they can? They don’t want to lose their job any more than you and I do. But… at what cost? These players may lose their jobs or be held legally liable for their illegal actions.
Baseball may be ruined for a long time. Because of the actions of a select few, all of baseball will be painted with the same stroke of the brush. For every upstanding Cal Ripken, Jr. that comes along, they will be viewed through a Barry Bonds prism. People will become cynics of baseball players and their records. Baseball will no longer be a sacred sport, a cherished American pastime.
This is why integrity is so important and integral in our lives. It’s not just a simple reflection of our character both in and out of the spotlight, it’s also a reflection of everything that we are a part of. Whether we’re a baseball player or a Christian, people are always watching who we are and our adherence to the moral and ethical code that we claim to have. If our actions and behavior conflict with what we preach, believe me, it won’t be just us who gets judged.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” –Titus 2:7-8
baseballintegrityTitus
Integrity is Integral
December 13, 2007
Calvary
Comments Off on Integrity is Integral
Matt
The big news today, of course, is the release of a 409-page report from an independent investigation into illegal performance-enhancing drug use in Major League Baseball. For those who want to read the report in its entirety, the PDF can be found right here via Yahoo!’s Sports page. There are essentially three major points that can be gleaned from this report:
* There was widespread use of illegal steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs by Major League Baseball players for more than a decade, in violation of federal law and baseball policy.
* Some of the game’s biggest stars — like slugger Barry Bonds and pitcher Roger Clemens — used drugs.
* Players from all 30 teams were found to use drugs at some time in their careers.
Now, depending on your level of cynicism, you might not be that surprised. I really wasn’t surprised about some of the players that were indicted in the report, but I was surprised how big the scale was. The report goes into extensive detail on how a culture of hear-no-evil, see-no-evil persisted for years and how it’s contributing to the sport being tainted by unnatural abilities that were fueled by drugs.
In a way, it makes sad sense. These players are being paid huge money, and they are scrutinized like no other by fans, commentators and coaches and administrators. There’s immense pressure to stay in top-notch shape and deliver your worth day in and day out. There’s a lot riding on you: tickets, merchandising, money made from sales of beer and food at the stadiums. There’s even more so if you’re anointed a superstar. If you get worn out or don’t deliver, you’re out. Fame and sports are fickle like that.
Eventually, it’s gonna get tiring. Eventually, you’re going to get worn out. So, in a desperate bid to stay relevant, what’s going to happen? Players will be looking for an edge, an advantage. And, of course, there will always be people who are willing to oblige. It’s simple economics: If there’s a demand, there’s going to be a supply.
These people are in a competitive sport. Isn’t it their prerogative to keep their job and keep delivering in any way they can? They don’t want to lose their job any more than you and I do. But… at what cost? These players may lose their jobs or be held legally liable for their illegal actions.
Baseball may be ruined for a long time. Because of the actions of a select few, all of baseball will be painted with the same stroke of the brush. For every upstanding Cal Ripken, Jr. that comes along, they will be viewed through a Barry Bonds prism. People will become cynics of baseball players and their records. Baseball will no longer be a sacred sport, a cherished American pastime.
This is why integrity is so important and integral in our lives. It’s not just a simple reflection of our character both in and out of the spotlight, it’s also a reflection of everything that we are a part of. Whether we’re a baseball player or a Christian, people are always watching who we are and our adherence to the moral and ethical code that we claim to have. If our actions and behavior conflict with what we preach, believe me, it won’t be just us who gets judged.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” –Titus 2:7-8
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