I think the steroid thing became bigger because it helped tumble long standing home run records. You don’t mess with Babe Ruth’s legacy ( even Roger Maris had to endure an asterisk next to his 61 home runs). Racism plays a part as well. If it were just McGuire and Clemens I bet $5 baseball wouldn’t have done a thing. But then you had Bonds and Sosa and Canseco breaking records and I think a lot of people didn’t like that. Ironically, that steroid juiced home run frenzy saved baseball after the disastrous strike season with no World Series. The powers that be always turn a blind eye to illegalities when they are able to fill more seats in the stadium
I’m fascinated by the question. I went through elementary school in the 1990s, and the anti-drug education was everywhere. I know 1992 is a far cry from these trials, but my instinct is to expect an uproar over “role model” athletes using illegal stimulants.
With that said, your speculation about visibility makes sense—you can more often see the effects of steroid use—and Tim’s comment rings true to me, too.
Whatever the case, this was already interesting to read and ponder. I look forward to following the full project.
Two aspects that doesn’t get mentioned much is that steroid use was also illegal, if memory serves. And with all of the drugs, MLB didn’t seem to care a whit about the players and their health, short-term or long-term.
I remember Tim Raines and the cocaine thing. Makes me curious what players are using in 2025 that we don't know much about but will a decade from now?
I think the steroid thing became bigger because it helped tumble long standing home run records. You don’t mess with Babe Ruth’s legacy ( even Roger Maris had to endure an asterisk next to his 61 home runs). Racism plays a part as well. If it were just McGuire and Clemens I bet $5 baseball wouldn’t have done a thing. But then you had Bonds and Sosa and Canseco breaking records and I think a lot of people didn’t like that. Ironically, that steroid juiced home run frenzy saved baseball after the disastrous strike season with no World Series. The powers that be always turn a blind eye to illegalities when they are able to fill more seats in the stadium
I’m fascinated by the question. I went through elementary school in the 1990s, and the anti-drug education was everywhere. I know 1992 is a far cry from these trials, but my instinct is to expect an uproar over “role model” athletes using illegal stimulants.
With that said, your speculation about visibility makes sense—you can more often see the effects of steroid use—and Tim’s comment rings true to me, too.
Whatever the case, this was already interesting to read and ponder. I look forward to following the full project.
It was the 1980s. Coke was *everywhere*!
Two aspects that doesn’t get mentioned much is that steroid use was also illegal, if memory serves. And with all of the drugs, MLB didn’t seem to care a whit about the players and their health, short-term or long-term.
Nice write up! I do think, however, more “focused “ players on amphetamines did affect the scoreboard and records.