Just when you thought Major League Baseball was ready to start a season clear of the steroid abuse scandal, it got dragged into the ring for another round.
America’s pastime has seen some its best taken down, but until now that list has been almost exclusively limit to old-timers.
That all changed last weekend when Sports Illustrated broke word that Alex Rodriguez was among those included in the infamous list of 104 players that tested positive for banned drugs during baseball’s anonymous survey in 2003. Two days later, the Yankee slugger wiped away any doubt by admitting he used banned substances during his three-year stint with the Texas Rangers.
A-Rod’s career will be looked at with the same type of skepticism previously reserved for the likes of Barry Bonds and justly so, but why is he the only one? The league’s decision to conduct an anonymous survey in 2003 was ridiculous, but the privacy of those results should have been respected for all players regardless of stature.
“It’s definitely not fair to just pinpoint one guy,” Boston’s Kevin Youkilis told the Associated Press. “I don’t know if somebody had it in for him. I don’t know what because it seems like just to take one name out of that whole group is a little odd to me. If he was named with 10 other players, would that have been fair? I don’t know? If they’d have listed all 104?”
Former union head Marvin Miller agrees and told the AP he’d like an investigation of federal prosecutors to help determine whether there was a government leak of the test results, which remain under court seal.
Since that privacy was breached for Rodriguez, the league should release the names of the other 103 players. Doing so would be another step in helping baseball shed this ugly chapter in its past.
The fate of “the list” is now in the hands of 11 appeals court judges in California. But I would not stop with those 103 names. I also want to know who leaked the list and how they got it.
While we may have reeled in the biggest fish in the baseball pond, why should the other 103 get to swim free?
Sports Opinion
February 10, 2009
HARRISON : Time to name names
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My 2010 moment
First off, I’d like to thank the Edmond sporting community for accepting me into their fold, or at least accepting me as much as possible for a journalist. It has been a great five-and a half months and I’ve had the opportunity to witness some prime time moments while at The Sun.
- SPRUIL: Woods scandal not that shocking Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
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SPRUILL: Woods scandal not so shocking
Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
Sir Charles gave us this gem back then stating, “A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?”
Just can’t do it. I remember vividly the day I learned this valuable lesson, it was when I got my copy of Sports Illustrated with Sooner quarterback Charles Thompson being ushered to jail in his infamous orange jumpsuit. - HARRISON : It’s time for some hoops With Bedlam in the rearview mirror and talk of freezing temperatures and possible snow this week it can only mean one thing. The winter sports season is upon us.
- SPRUIL: 'Dogs have nothing to lose Bulldogs have a chance to break another streak, which is to attempt to end the east sides dominance — Jenks and Union have combined to win 13 straight Class 6A state titles.
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SPRUILL: UCO loaded for another run
No. 18-ranked Central Oklahoma appears to be loaded for another deep run in the NCAA Division II tournament.
It’s only November and the Bronchos have only played one game, but what they showed against Emporia State in a 116-114 double-overtime win was incredible. -
SPRUIL: Playoff picture still cloudy
With most of the district’s already decided — a few key matchups still remain — it’s time to start looking at the playoff picture.
We know Edmond Memorial, Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian are in the playoffs. Deer Creek is on life support, while Oklahoma Christian Academy and Edmond Santa Fe are done for the year following Friday night. -
SPRUILL: OU's Bradford still livin' the dream
There’s still no guarantee that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will play this season. But Sooner fan or not, you have to love the Heisman Trophy winner’s attitude.
His first start could come this week against Baylor, or it could be against Texas. You will not hear any crying from Bradford, though, that is for certain.
The media has questioned his decision about coming back. He could have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, instead he gets injured in the opener and now his future is in question.
But what seems so shocking to some across the country, really isn’t that shocking at all. Bradford is living his dream. The dream of any former high school star in the state of Oklahoma that wants to play in either Stillwater or Norman. - HARRISON: Local teams draw favorable regional assignments With the end of the regular season fast approaching, local softball teams are turning their attention towards next week’s regional tournaments. While Edmond Santa Fe is the only squad that will be at home next week, all four teams have a legitimate shot at state.
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SPRUILL: Edmond recovering from split
Things are shaping up for another great football season for local teams.
As it stands, Edmond still has two undefeated teams in Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian School. And there are signs the big three have reached a near full recovery from the spit. - More Sports Opinion Headlines
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My 2010 moment
