Steroids and performance enhancing drugs may seem like they benefit a baseball player's body during his playing years, but in reality he is setting his body up for failure during his post career days. I believe players should not suffer the consequence of having their stats tampered with in the record books, and also being banned from the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. One aspect of steroids that I would like to focus on is the negative effects it has on one’s body because the long-term effects take a toll on a person who abuses steroids. Alex Rodgriguez stated, "I knew I was setting my post-career up for failure after I suffered a minor neck strain that eventually went into my spine and I couldn't even move my head to either side" (A-Rod Interview ESPN). It is evident that steroids start attacking the muscles of people, causing a deterioration over time. Also, “However the most severe harmful effects are expressed in adolescent consumers of steroids." The stunted growth may result in teenagers since increased levels of estrogen may result in the epiphyseal fusion and hold back the lengthening of bones. The reduced expression of secondary sexual characteristics is also a result of adolescent steroid abuse. This supports the fact that if teenagers who are into sports are taking steroids, it would be near impossible to expand one’s opportunities on the field of play if they are taking steroids. This is why people could make a case that steroids are only helping athletes get a mental edge because of what they think steroids are doing for their bodies in a positive manner. Steroid rage is a huge side effect that people experience when taking steroids. However, most athletes are unaware that they are taking a banned substance. It is not until the substance is mixed with the chemicals one’s body naturally produces on the inside to become a steroid (Roberts, Anthony). Lastly, why are steroids such a huge topic in the new millennium when steroids have been used even by the baseball players who have been retired for 20 years? “Also, substance abuse rules have not always been in effect. Throughout sports, committees are buckling down on substances used by athletes in order to control what each person is taking” (Wilson, Wayne & Derse, Edward).
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Good info...it could use some development of the logic to get from a fact to your idea...For example the stunted growth fact...body is less athletic...then effects the athletes performance...also I felt that the argument of the post career effects were not something that made your argument stronger...Like A-Rod said he knew what he was doing would have an effect later, but it didn't keep him from doing it.
ReplyDeleteKeith,
ReplyDeleteYou may want to organize your thoughts a little better. It is obvious that you have a conviction about your subject, but a clear and concise method of delivery would help your audience to share in your passion.
Also, you can get rid of your in-text citation. We were told that we are not to include that in our op-ed. Instead, just have phrases that signal a citation, and then add the source to your works cited.
Overall though, good article. I look forward to reading the end result.
This topic really appeals to what I think the general public believes, so you can't really go wrong with it. As a fan of all professional sports, I feel cheated when I fing out it's not someones natural ability, but rather a controlled substance allowing them to do what they do. It makes me wonder how great could they be without tainting their career. Your article is good but I would suggest bringing into light the athletes who have been busted, the stats and records they set and suggest that those stats are tainted, like Mark McGuires and Barry Bonds home run records.
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