Ryan Howard and the steroid era
mikeschmidt
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in Sports Talk
I am a huge Phillies phan, as some people here probably already know. As such, you can imagine how exciting it has been to see the prominence and pure power of Ryan Howard over the course of the last two seasons. In particular, his strength and ability to hit opposite-field home runs is incredible He has recently raised his batting average substantially [he is at .315 now], and he is drawing walks this month almost as often as Barry Bonds used to when people cared about him. Additionally, Howard’s recent prominence has made the September month to be a particularly exciting one for Phillies phans; although the Phils are a few games back of the wild card in an otherwise very weak league, it is exciting to see them play hard and take leads so late in the game. [with a note to the dismal bullpen that brings back memories of Mitch Williams in ‘93]
As Howard approaches 60 home runs, and perhaps well beyond, it brings to me a sad prediction of things to come in Major League Baseball. In particular, we are seemingly now on the outside of the steroid era. MLB ignored this problem to a great level for a number of years – and steroids proliferated throughout the sport. Conventional evidence seems to suggest that steroids were as popular [if not moreso] in pitchers as in hitters, and in marginal players as much as stars. Although there are numerous flaws in the current testing environment, I think most view it as an overall success. Testing could be more frequent, and perhaps more inclusive of some esoteric supplements. But, overall, conventional wisdom suggests that steroid abuse is significantly down throughout baseball.
We are left with a steroid era in which we know for certain of numerous stars and other players who have either a) failed tests or b) admitted abuse. There are, however, many more other stars who have either a) said nothing or b) been suspected of abuse but not proven so because of the former lack of a control environment. It is not clear how institutions such as Baseball’s Hall of Fame, or other venerable walls [such as public opinion] will treat players such as Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and countless other stars in the next 5, 10 or 20 years.
I fear, however, that Ryan Howard will inadvertently set an unfortunate precedent by which some of these potentially tainted players will ultimately seek absolution [and perhaps be granted such]. For, they will argue, if Ryan Howard was able to hit 60+ home runs in 2006 in the supposed steroid-free era, why is it so hard to believe that I hit 50+, 60+ or 70+ home runs before? They will argue that they were steroid-free, just like Ryan Howard, and happened to unfortunately play in an era without proper controls. They will argue that MLB’s lack of control was beyond their scope of influence, and that baseball historians, the HOF and other institutions cannot deny them their significance on the history of the game when the black mark is on MLB, not that individual’s performance.
Thus, Ryan Howard will become a scapegoat. He will be the excuse by which tainted players during the steroid era will seek absolution. And as a Phillies phan – that makes me tremendously sad, although I cannot think of a way by which this issue can be reasonably resolved.
~ms
As Howard approaches 60 home runs, and perhaps well beyond, it brings to me a sad prediction of things to come in Major League Baseball. In particular, we are seemingly now on the outside of the steroid era. MLB ignored this problem to a great level for a number of years – and steroids proliferated throughout the sport. Conventional evidence seems to suggest that steroids were as popular [if not moreso] in pitchers as in hitters, and in marginal players as much as stars. Although there are numerous flaws in the current testing environment, I think most view it as an overall success. Testing could be more frequent, and perhaps more inclusive of some esoteric supplements. But, overall, conventional wisdom suggests that steroid abuse is significantly down throughout baseball.
We are left with a steroid era in which we know for certain of numerous stars and other players who have either a) failed tests or b) admitted abuse. There are, however, many more other stars who have either a) said nothing or b) been suspected of abuse but not proven so because of the former lack of a control environment. It is not clear how institutions such as Baseball’s Hall of Fame, or other venerable walls [such as public opinion] will treat players such as Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and countless other stars in the next 5, 10 or 20 years.
I fear, however, that Ryan Howard will inadvertently set an unfortunate precedent by which some of these potentially tainted players will ultimately seek absolution [and perhaps be granted such]. For, they will argue, if Ryan Howard was able to hit 60+ home runs in 2006 in the supposed steroid-free era, why is it so hard to believe that I hit 50+, 60+ or 70+ home runs before? They will argue that they were steroid-free, just like Ryan Howard, and happened to unfortunately play in an era without proper controls. They will argue that MLB’s lack of control was beyond their scope of influence, and that baseball historians, the HOF and other institutions cannot deny them their significance on the history of the game when the black mark is on MLB, not that individual’s performance.
Thus, Ryan Howard will become a scapegoat. He will be the excuse by which tainted players during the steroid era will seek absolution. And as a Phillies phan – that makes me tremendously sad, although I cannot think of a way by which this issue can be reasonably resolved.
~ms
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
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Comments
Trade him to the Pads then you will not feel so bad.
<< <i>For, they will argue, if Ryan Howard was able to hit 60+ home runs in 2006 in the supposed steroid-free era, why is it so hard to believe that I hit 50+, 60+ or 70+ home runs before? They will argue that they were steroid-free, just like Ryan Howard, and happened to unfortunately play in an era without proper controls. They will argue that MLB’s lack of control was beyond their scope of influence. >>
I think this argument would have more merit if Howard was a 4th or 5th year player and all of a sudden starting pulling these numbers.
McGwire, Bonds, Sosa, etc, while traditionally power hitters, began hitting 60-70+ homers relatively late in their careers- and that's why those numbers are so suspicious. You look at most of the great home run hitters in history and most tend to peeter out in their twilight years.
Howard may just be the real deal. He comes from a rather large set of parents, doesn't he?
It's an unfortunate fallout of the steroid era, but that's the game as it exists today.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I would not lose sleep over it though either.
I just hope he and his Phils are not playing my Mets in October.
Steve
Dave
I for one am cheering him on to 60.
that seems to be the magical number now.
Steve
edited to add: Marc, great post
Hopefully that makes more sense.
<< <i>Let me rephrase ... had it not been for the steroid use (opinion) of Sosa, Mac, and Bonds, the number 62 would still have meaning and us Phillies fans would have one of our own looking to break the mark this season.
Hopefully that makes more sense. >>
A few bad apples will do that to the bunch
<< <i>had it not been for the steroid use (opinion) of Sosa, Mac, and Bonds, the number 62 would still have meaning and us Phillies fans would have one of our own looking to break the mark this season.
>>
Neal has very succinctly reduced my point to this one sentence! You and I are so on the same page on this, Neal...
M
Steve
addressed many of these concerns.
There is no testing for HGH in baseball, and there are obviously guys still using it. Not saying Howard is one of them, but until there is a test, there will be doubt. There is also no telling what he did in the offseason in the minors, etc. etc.
While MLB is testing for steroids, its a very low sample size and not every player is even being tested.
<< <i>Interesting post, mikeschmidt, but what makes you believe that people don't already suspect that Ryan Howard's power hasn't been artifically enhanced. The problem with testing for steroids is that there are always going to be ways that people beat these tests, so unfortunately, I don't think you can take any slugger's numbers at face value in this day and age, though IMO the increase in power production is just as much the fault of bandbox ballparks and mediocre relief pitching due to expansion.
It's an unfortunate fallout of the steroid era, but that's the game as it exists today. >>
Well said. I for one probably will NEVER get exited about Hr chases or a slugger cracking 60+ again as I did in'98, I also dont believe Howard or Pujols are 100% clean. Not trying to stir the pot or be a trouble maker just my own 2 cents.