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Asking if cheating matters to fans elicits the same response as asking them if they love umpires. . Cheating doesn't matter to conscienceless fans frenzied by their deity: baseball players. The word "fan" is short for the word "fanatic". The word "fanatic" is derived from Latin fanaticus; inspired by a deity; or frenzied. The question taken literally requires a negative response.

The long answer is less obvious. Since the human body cannot endure a frenzied state of being long without experiencing death; return to restful, logical, rational thought brings conscience. This thinking part of the brain is never engaged when fanatical behavior is exhibited. When a fan becomes non fanatical, however, the sense of duty, justice, and fair play become a working part of the mind. It depends on whether the individual wishes to place energy into rationalizing away conscionable logic in order to experience continued, relished, frenzied fanaticism.

The value of seeing a deity send a rawhide covered, orbicular string winding sailing into the cheap seats must be weighed against the pain of conscionable, knowledgeable fact about the blood anabolic steroid level of the slugger. Bodies filled with artificial drugs are proven to improve batting averages. Decisions to consider performance enhancing drugs "cheating" are best left to rational thinkers; not fans.

The common rationalization that players are: in possession of free will, aware of the potentially harmful and fatal side and after effects of the chemical, and take the risk of ingestion anyway, is abdication of responsibility on the part of the fan. That line of nonsensically impaired reasoning demands cash payment of all physical, social, mental, manufacturing and drug administrative cost through itemization in the ticket selling price at the point of sale.

A proposal of inception of another "expanded" league of baseball birthed, initiated, implemented, and nourished is not outlandish; and really not half bad as an idea. This new league would make legal any and all performance improving drug use. Any individual wishing better playing through chemistry would be encouraged to do so in this new league. Non- "cheaters" would be confined to the traditional league and subject to its rules, unfortunately for them.

Separation into cheater and non cheater leagues will solve heretofore immensely complicated problems of comparing hall of fame statistics. A separate Hall of Fame will be created for the cheaters league so the problem of comparing apples to oranges is rendered moot. Also, the Barry Bonds' of this world could finally come clean regarding their perceived cheating behaviors and Congress and the Courts could apply themselves to important matters. Quixotically, no professional recognition is given to life expectancy actuarial table fulfillment (i.e. long life). Perhaps the non cheater league could reward this intrinsically non tangible asset acquisition.

Learn more about this author, Michael Shepard.
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