Baseball Needs Cleaned-Up Hitters

Performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball are the topic du jour, but I’m writing this article primarily because I have succeeded at the game without use of drugs. I have seen and heard many opinions, but few (if any) offered on having success without performance-enhancing drugs.

The view from some in the Baseball Hall of Fame is this: Acknowledging that no one is perfect, there is no one in the Hall of Fame who used steroids. Overall there is a dim view of those who have padded their statistics by steroid use. No one likes their historic performances and careers marginalized by those who have an unfair advantage, whether the drugs were legal or not. Longtime records fall in time (that’s what records are for), but with the advent of these drugs you destroy the integrity of the feat. The issue here is how to compare the achievements of baseball greats from different eras.

More important, I am a parent who cares about children and the game of baseball, and will continue to be a role model to others I work with, whether it is Little League International, the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program, or with collegiate or professional baseball players.

In this era of immediate gratification, let me give a perspective on achieving long-term success and gratification. Let me be one of many who take the side of advocating success and enjoyment in sports without pharmaceutical enhancements. Hopefully, I may cause others to speak up and give young people a positive path to follow.

Here are reasons you should not use anabolic steroids: Although they are known to make athletes stronger and faster, they do not improve athletic skill, and the health risks are numerous. They can cause acne, hair loss, blood-pressure changes, nausea, vomiting, aching joints, testicular shrinkage, urinary problems and impotence or sterility. Other effects include shortening of adult height, paranoia, violent behavior (in some notable cases suicide) and increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.

I can’t recommend harming your body to try to improve your athletic performance. Those short-term goals can lead to long-term physical, legal and career problems.

It’s frightening and dismaying to hear that recent surveys by a national health-care provider indicate that nearly 1 million kids in America are using steroids and other substances to improve their sports performance. You can gain a competitive advantage in so many other ways and not risk your health. Yes, there is an allure to participate and be successful in sports because of the adulation, the potential attractiveness to the opposite sex, scholarship opportunities and a possible professional career, with all the money and fame and security that go with that. But it comes down to risk and reward, right and wrong -- the values you live by.

How do you want to play your sport -- clean and fair, or by cheating with drugs? I live in California, where our governor used steroids for years to compete in and win many bodybuilding championships. Today there are separate competitions for users and nonusers. Baseball should be the same -- where there are no drug users.

In the major leagues, when you approach the game incorrectly or illegally, you injure your health, reputation, family, fans, the sport itself, and all the young people who want to be just like you.

I played Major League Baseball a long time, and left after the 1995 season. I heard back then that some people were using performance-enhancing drugs, but it was never apparent or evident in the clubhouses I played in.

Because people look for shortcuts to success, I talked to my friends who succeeded the right way: Rickey Henderson, Don Mattingly, Eddie Murray, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. They all achieved the heights of this game without performance-enhancing drugs.

Henderson, the all-time stolen base leader, said, “I advocate nutrition, flexibility and exercise.”

He understood his speed, eyesight and patience at the plate could help him become a great player.

Gwynn, an eight-time batting champion, said, “My success came from knowing I’m a singles hitter.”

He had no desire to try to hit the long ball to be successful. Speed and defense made him an all-around player.

Ripken played more consecutive games than anyone in the history of baseball. He never led the league in home runs, runs batted in or stolen bases, but said, “It was my defense, long-term health, stamina and consistency that gave me success on the diamond.”

Murray possessed the ability to switch-hit with power, enabling him to hit more than 500 homers and drive in more than 1,900 runs. He played superb defense and was the consummate team player. He said the hallmarks of his success were “my baseball instincts, competitiveness and love of the game.”

Mattingly, the 1985 American League MVP, didn’t have the height, weight or strength of others, but what made him a great player was his knowledge of the fundamentals and techniques of hitting. “I listened and learned from coaches about using my body to maximum effectiveness, and how to solve pitchers,” he said.

The primary things these guys had in common were their understanding of the game, their work ethic and a tough mental approach that gave them longevity in the game.

People might think the only reason I didn’t entertain drug use was because I already had size, strength, speed and versatility by playing other sports. Sure, it helps to start with ability, but I wouldn’t have had the career I did if I didn’t listen to the voices of baseball telling me to learn how to play and make adjustments to grow and improve.

When I entered the majors, I was not a polished, consistent player. I wasn’t an All-Star until my fifth season, and certainly wasn’t a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. It takes time to integrate the knowledge, instincts, training and experience as a player to become all you can be; that’s called maturity.

I stress that you work to become a complete player. There is too much emphasis today on only hitting the long ball; many feel that is the sure way to a large payday. Learn to play every part of the game well. There are fewer five-tool players (who can run, hit, hit for power, field and throw) than ever; with a virtual elimination of infield practice before games, the ranks of those without strong arms and good gloves grow every year.

I hope the proceedings of the last few months -- the first suspensions for steroid use in the major and minor leagues, with better regulation and enforcement -- bring the game back to the way it was meant to be played.

This is an issue that may test the character of many, but think about your life and lifestyle. Drugs might help you for the short term, but can you imagine anyone taking them for 10 or 20 years? It may bring short-term success, but no doubt a shorter life. Choose a lifestyle of nutrition, fitness, dedication and hard work in whatever you do. Don’t risk losing your health, career, reputation, freedom or your life from dealing in illegal drugs. It’s very simple: It’s not worth it!