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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
March 18, 2005
/ 7 Adar II, 5765
Pumped up for Opening Day
By
Pat Sajak
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Anyone who has seen me spin that heavy, giant wheel on television knows that I'm not a steroid user. (Frankly, I have my doubts about Trebek, but that's another matter.) On the other hand, it has been obvious to anyone who has paid attention to Major League Baseball over the past decade or so that there have been plenty of players who have resorted to artificial means to enhance their performances. Now, of course, to paraphrase "Casablanca's" Captain Renault, we are shocked — shocked — to learn that steroid use has been rampant in our National Pastime.
I don't mean to make light of the matter given the health risks to the athletes and the fact that young people who try to emulate them may be tempted to travel the same road. Those issues should be, and are being, addressed by the game. However, I'm not as upset as many baseball fans appear to be about the so-called integrity of the game. Spitballs, corked bats, sign stealing, Pete Rose. What integrity? After all, this is not a game where you're likely to see a second baseman say, "Excuse me, Mr. Umpire, but I actually missed tagging the runner, so you were wrong to call him 'out'"
As for the sanctity of the record book, since when has the playing field been level? The only consistency over the years has been the inconsistency. We've seen the dead ball era and the juiced ball era. The mounds have been raised and lowered, fences have been pulled in and pushed back, the season's length has been altered, and wartime rosters have been decimated to a point where even the terrible St. Louis Browns were able to make a 1944 World Series appearance.
We also don't need any asterisks in the record book. Who gets those marks of shame? Those suspected of steroid use? Those who admit to it? Anyone Jose Canseco points to? The fact is that, rightly or wrongly, all of the offensive records attained during what will become known as baseball's "Steroid Era" will have an assumed asterisk next to them, and that imaginary mark will affect things such as who gets into the Hall of Fame. Will some players be unfairly tainted? I suppose so. But I don't think it's all that tough to figure out who the cheaters are. (Hint: look for someone with 20-50 pounds of additional upper body weight from one season to the next whose home run total goes from, say, 15 to 45.)
Most of all, however, Congress needs to stay out of this. Don't forget, this is a body that has helped to craft most of today's national drug policies, and we all know how successful they have been. Health effects aside, I don't know why keeping a sport drug-free is any concern of a bunch of elected officials. I certainly think they should be sure that airline pilots are drug-free. Policemen, because they're toting guns, should also be clear of mind. In fact, I'm more concerned about members of Congress being drug-free than I am about members of the Yankees or Giants.
Congress, I'm afraid, cannot resist the temptation. Network television "face time" is too powerful a drug for these folks to "just say no". Henry Waxman, the meek-looking Democratic Congressman from California, whom I suspect was bullied a lot as a kid, has made a career of turning the tables on big-shot businessmen who probably never chose him for the school team. Now he and others get another chance to show how tough they are (and maybe get a few autographs while they're at it).
So Congress is having its hearings, players will deny or confess, tongues will wag, random testing and the microscope of publicity will force a cutback in the use of illegal substances, records from this era will be debated, and the game will go on.
For goodness sake, Play Ball!
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment on Pat Sajak's column by clicking here.
JWR contributor Pat Sajak is the recipient of three Emmys, a Peoples’ Choice Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He's currently the host of Wheel of Fortune. To visit his website, please here .
03/14/05: Dunces in the White House
© 2005, Pat Sajak
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