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Steroid Abuse in Major League Baseball.
Steroids are illegal in the United States without a prescription, but baseball does not test for steroids or any other illegal substance. A player can easily attain steroids, which are sold over the counter in Mexico, and use them with almost no fear of being caught. Unfortunately, the seduction of steroids is too powerful for the athletes to pass up. The yearning for success, the lure of fame, and the large amounts of money involved are all reasons why players choose to take the easier route.
Baseball players of all ages feel the need to get ahead of the competition. This yearning for success leads them to abusing steroids. Steroids will ultimately help a player to become bigger, stronger, and faster. In some cases, these steroids help players become better than average. Take, for example, former Baltimore outfielder Brady Anderson. Before admitting to steroid use, he hit sixteen homeruns in 1995 but his statistics jumped to fifty homeruns in 1996. Sure the abnormal boost in production can be blamed on smaller fields, better bats, and "juiced" baseballs, but the secret behind these explanations is the steroid use. This example surely shows why many players turn to the steroid edge.
The lure of being famous is always on every serious baseball players mind. The belief that steroids will help a person to the next level is another reason why players abuse steroids. The fact that there aren't any drug tests in baseball, seems to make players believe that using steroids is acceptable. There are many minor league players that will go to extremes to make it to the Major Leagues, including using steroids. In some situations, unfortunately, the abusers succeed, which is why there will always be steroid abuse in baseball.
