On the other hand, the article claims that steroids have had no effect on the health of these players; this may be technically correct, but since steroids appear to be a fairly recent phenomenon in baseball (since the early 1990s) compared to football, the long-term effects on players cannot be accurately determined right now. The most accurate indicator of long-term effects will be when retired players start having unusual health problems starting in their mid-40s.
I wonder how many of the health problems that Jason Giambi has had over the last year are related to his use of steroid and other performance-enhancing drugs.
The problem is that baseball knew it had a drug problem long ago, and did nothing (the owners, the management, the players, the union). It took them at least 10 years to admit that cocaine was a serious problem. There is no reason to expect them to rush to fix this. They will have a half-way measure up and adapted within two weeks. I think congress ought to step in and let the union know that this isn't even a negotation point. Everyone will comply immedately and suspension ought to be absolute on the first failure (365 days out of baseball, with no pay and no regrets).
I feel that Barry Bonds and his magnificent record...is now bogus, and I really can't count the massive home-run season. I know that Bud and the boys won't do nothing...but I will simply not accept that season period. I also am beginning to feel the same about Sammy Sosa and McGuire....their terrific season was likely bogus too. Morris and Ruth are still at the top of my chart....and Aaron will likely stay atop the home run derby. Barry can just walk away from baseball and be happy with the hall of fame (oh, and that Pete Rose guy ought to be talking right now about how he never used steriods...he might get a point or two from the audience).