Ever watch a professional baseball player hit a 400-foot homerun and wonder how he did it? Well, the explanation might have more to do with illegal steroid use than innate ability.

The world of professional sports has been plagued this year by rumors of use of performance-enhancing drugs by some of its participants in the arena of professional baseball. Fingers have been pointed at some of the most prolific athletes in history, including Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa.

The rumors may have been brushed aside had they not come from as reliable a source as former MLB hitting sensation Jose Canseco. Canseco penned a tell-all book detailing his days in the professional baseball league, during which, he alleges, he and many of his teammates used steroids. Canseco's claims have polarized the MLB, and piqued the interest of its committee's members, namely the commissioner Bud Selig. Selig has been criticized for not addressing the steroid situation earlier, but recently vowed to implement a "zero tolerance" system into the League.

Unlike the NBA and NFL, the MLB currently has no testing program to ensure its players are not using illegal or banned substances. But news of the rampant drug use in the League has made the powers that be take notice and realize this may need to change. Last February, owners proposed a drug-testing plan to the Players' Association that included 17 steroids and drugs. However, it may take more solid evidence to convince the Players' Association to start testing for drugs, as in the past it has been hesitant to do so because of its members beliefs that the testing would violate the athletes' privacy.

Steroids are illegal in the United States unless used for medicinal purposes. But they are very easily obtained, most commonly over the counter at pharmacies in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Former major leaguer Chad Curtis, who retired after last season, estimated that 40 to 50 percent of major league ballplayers use steroids to suddenly become stronger and faster. Steroids improve muscle mass, especially when combined with proper nutrition and strength training. But they also have several side effects, such as heart and liver damage, endocrine-system problems, elevated cholesterol levels, strokes, and aggressive behavior.

The controversy has become an issue outside of the sports arena. McGwire was questioned at a congressional hearing in March, where he stayed mum on the issue and refused to address allegations of steroid use. He was among a panel of current and former all-stars who appeared before the House Government Reform Committee to discuss the issue. The panel also included Baltimore Orioles outfielder Sammy Sosa, McGwire's rival in the 1998 home run chase, and Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, who both also denied partaking in illegal drug usage.

Since it is apparently so rampant a problem, players that do not use may be at a disadvantage. Steroids may have played a huge role in the recent slugging boom that baseball has experienced during the past few seasons. The single-season home run record has been broken twice in four years and every player can be considered a homerun hitter. However, rumors of drug use have tainted these records, removing the element of purity from America's past time.


- Mari Levine, Associate Editor