The year A-Rod tested positive for steroids, 2003, he played 161 of 162 games. Name another superstar who can do that, steroids or no. He hit 47 home runs, had a .298 batting average and drove in something like 118 RBIs.

When you’re signed on to a $22 million dollar contract, the pressure is probably higher than any of us can imagine. He wasn’t just paid to help the Rangers win; he was paid to put up big numbers and to draw attention to the ball club. That he did, and he did it damn well. So what if he took steroids? If any of us took steroids, we still wouldn’t be able to do what A-Rod did that season. If 99% of MLB took steroids, they wouldn’t be able to put up those kind of numbers, to play 161 of 162 games. A-Rod is a great baseball player because he’s a great baseball player. Steroids shouldn’t discredit his skill–because that’s what baseball is: a game of skill.

I don’t condone cheating, and I am not suggesting that professional sports should. But fans, come on, you love watching players smack hard balls 500 feet. When McGwire and Sosa we’re neck in neck to break Roger Maris’s 61 HRs, it was the most exciting baseball has EVER been. Even people who didn’t watch baseball watched baseball. And didn’t it feel good to you when they were hitting all those home runs? Didn’t it give us something to talk about? Weren’t we excited about something? And when Barry Bonds, arguably the best baseball player ever, was crushing McGwire and Sosa’s records, didn’t it make the worst year ever (2001) a little better, especially in September and October?

Another thing, why is no one asking for the 103 names? A-Rod’s taking steroids made no more or a less an impact on the game than the other 103. If a pitcher wants to suggest that A-Rod’s taking steroids cost him money, then what about all the others? Why just A-Rod? Because he makes the most money? Because he’s the best?

I think we shouldn’t just watch our heroes drown. We should ask more questions and spread the blame a little more equally.

is their job to be sports stars or is it to “play the game?”

Though I’m not one of those snarky fans who call into radio shows just hoping for their 4 seconds of fame…that’s another breed of addict.