| The last ten years have shown a huge increase in | | | | obviously does not like to see any reduction in |
| the number of "super" athletes who have come | | | | their ticket sales. |
| under attack for drug usage. Many times a | | | | Meanwhile, steps are being taken by the powers |
| superlative performance has been turned in by a | | | | that be to get some kind of control of this |
| major star athlete only to find out later that | | | | growing problem. Baseball Commissioner, Bud |
| these performances had benefited by some | | | | Selig, announced that his science adviser had been |
| extra help. How do we compare the amazing | | | | examining a human growth hormone blood test |
| feats of todays' athletes with the records of | | | | which is currently being studied. Selig feels strongly |
| major athletes of years ago who achieved their | | | | that HGH (human growth hormone) should be |
| great accomplishments on their own merits and | | | | banned. It actually is currently banned by the |
| without the aid of any added stimulus? It seems | | | | Major League Baseball Association and yet there |
| that they cannot really be compared at all. | | | | is no testing or enforcement for abuses. |
| Many former fans of various sports (particularly | | | | Obviously this "honor system" approach to the |
| baseball) have been turned off by this growing | | | | problem is not working very well. If an athlete is |
| trend of taking drugs to improve performance to | | | | unscrupulous enough to take an illegal drug, he |
| the point that they are boycotting the sports | | | | likely would be inclined to lie about it as well. |
| altogether. The latest statistics show that the | | | | There is a lot to be nostalgic about when one |
| attendance overall for major league baseball is | | | | considers the "good old days" and athletes who |
| down 1-2 percent. That may not sound like a lot, | | | | excel under their own power is certainly one of |
| but when you consider that the attendance for | | | | them. |
| many other sports is growing, the league | | | | |