1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

rest of the country did.

No athlete is immune to being human. And while the steroids controversy has taken center stage in recent years, it has become apparent that it was a problem long before we knew about it. To decry the current crop of juicers as "destroying the integrity of the game", is to ignore the less than perfect lives led by many past stars. And while I understand that cheating at the game is a terrible act, is it somehow more terrible than some of the acts committed by other players, such as cheating on their spouse, cheating on their taxes, or dealing with addictions to various substances? The problem is that in the eyes of some fans, the game begins to supersede real life. We are able to continue to root for a player who has mistreated his family, but we condemn a player who did something (albeit against the rules) to try to improve the quality of his game? I do not see the logic.

My solution is to continue to root for every player on my team, in the context of the game. I watch sports for entertainment, for fun, and forwell that's really it. I don't expect anything else out of it. I realized somewhere in the process of growing up that every person we look up to, be it athlete, parent, or friend, will let us down if we expect them to be perfect. As humans, we are capable of only so much. We still support our friends and families despite past decisions they have made. Why not show the same courtesy to the athletes who provide us entertainment (and make us pull our hair out on occasion)? The best thing we can offer players like Pettitte is our support. If I have a son one day, and he wants to be "just like" Pettitte, then perhaps there will be a conversation to be had. But for now, my team needs him.

Learn more about this author, Dan Mason.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Case for the MLB cheaters?
We want to hear your view. Write now!