We watched as Bob Baffert, the trainer of the original Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, was recently disciplined because his horse was found to have an illegal substance in his system. Once again the ugly specter of a double standard is rearing its ugly head in the world of sports. For years Major League Baseball has been unable to control the use of banned substances known as Physical Enhancement Drugs in its players. PED’s as they’re called, have run the full range of hitters and pitchers with astounding statistical results. Anyone who follows baseball will know the names Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa and others who achieved “stardom” by amping up their bodies illegally. Some players actually admitted cheating. And in one case, Alex Rodriguez, the player not only used PED’s he helped other players to find sources for the drugs. All these players have found their way onto the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. My point: they cheated, many were found out and still they were accorded the opportunity to join baseball’s elite corps of the best players of all time. So where does that leave Peter Edward Rose? Yes Pete was a gambler and a liar but no one accused him of drugging. Every record he set was accomplished WITHOUT PED USE. So to recap…The horse racing authorities disciplined Bob Baffert but Major League Baseball rewards its drug users. How is that anything but hypocrisy? Maybe MLB just doesn’t care about Pete and the small market Cincinnati Reds enough to re-examine his case. After all, Alex Rodriguez was given a job in baseball broadcasting despite all his drug entanglements; but we need to realize he’s from New York City. Double standard?….without a doubt!!!
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