Samuel Clemens, better known by his nom de plume “Mark Twain” (and no relation to a certain pitcher with the same last name) once said, “There are three types of lies. Lies, damned lies, and MLB team statistics.” In the modern era of MLB team, there is perhaps no more succinct and befitting summary.
Twain was undoubtedly referring to politicians when he coined that well-worn phrase. In a pinch, however, it will do for both MLB team players pumped up on steroids and the politicians questioning them and MLB team officials for their own political gain. Not to mention the myriad others who once floated on the periphery - but are now part of the focus of attention - as MLB team agents, trainers and clubhouse managers.
Lies
The list of those MLB team players accused of using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs is long and includes some well-known names, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts, etc. There are almost undoubtedly scores of other MLB team players who have managed to float under the radar on the issue, and are breathing a collective sigh of relief right now. To a man, every MLB team player noted above claimed to have not used performance enhancing drugs that are on MLB team banned substance list. Some eventually came clean – like Giambi and Roberts - while others continue to deny that they “knowingly” used steroids and other banned substances.
More Lies
The next act in continuing drama comes in more dangerous waters – not in the court of public opinion, but during Congressional hearings. MLB team Rafael Palmeiro waving a finger at congressmen, Mark McGwire getting choked up in the same setting and, most recently, Brian McNamee and Roger Clemens giving conflicting reports of Clemens’ alleged steroid use. McNamee, a MLB team personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, has been caught in the middle of the Mitchell investigation and recent Congressional hearings, not wanting to turn on Clemens and Andy Pettitte, but essentially forced to do so to protect himself.
MLB team Statistics*
Will any MLB team statistics from the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century mean anything? Presumably they will all stand in the record books, but many purists are howling that MLB team stats from what will always be known as the “steroid era” should be thrown out or marked in official record books with an asterisk. Barry Bonds is the poster child for the “asterisk,” but in the coming months it is unlikely that his will be the only records worthy of such a symbol.
