Ryan Braun is just the latest disgraced athlete to lie about using steroids, only to later be caught. However, he is far from the first. While Bud Selig and the rest of Major League Baseball wanted fans to believe that the “steroid era” was long over, it is clear that is alive and well. It is no longer limited to baseball as Lance Armstrong proved after finally coming clean that he did in fact use performance enhancing drugs.
While Braun is just the first to be punished in the Biogenesis scandal, he seems far from the last. While Braun only received a 65 game ban, Yankees third baseman is looking at a lifetime ban. While many believe that Rodriguez is the one who needs a lifetime ban, Braun also seems worthy of the steep punishment. Braun failed a drug test during his MVP year in 2011 and got off on a technicality blaming the person who handled his urine sample. While proclaiming his innocence, he also managed to disgrace a man who was simply doing his job.
Braun also disgraced the entire Brewers organization as well as their fans who stood behind their superstar in proclaiming his innocence. Teammates still stand behind Braun despite his admittance of cheating. Pitcher Tom Gorzelanny described Braun as a “great friend” and a “great teammate”. While loyalty in sports is important, anyone who cheats should not be described as a great teammate. Deceiving an entire organization and fan base is far from a good teammate.
While Braun is guilty of deceit, Alex Rodriguez is accused of tampering with evidence. Rodriguez, now facing a lifetime ban, was once considered the greatest player of the 21st century. Since admitting to PED usage in 2003, it has all been downhill. Rodriguez has become a disgraced player who can no longer be considered a future Hall of Fame candidate. Rodriguez is now facing the real possibility that he could have played his very last game. While many Yankees fans were overjoyed at the announcement of the Rodriguez signing, fans are now overjoyed with the possibility that he may be gone.
While baseball is the most scrutinized sport for PED use, other sports are trying to stop any steroid use. Both the NBA and NFL have decided to start implementing HGH testing before the season opened. However, if the officials want to really make steroids extinct, the punishment needs to be much harsher. Players caught doping should have to have their contract voided. By allowing Braun to return to baseball and collect over $100 million is a disgrace to MLB. These players disgraced the game and are still getting millions. So apparently in professional sports, you can cheat, make a mockery of the sport, and be disgraced, but still get paid.
