The question of steroid use in baseball has been an ongoing issue for Major League Baseball since the mid 1990s and into the 21st century. Steroids are performance-enhancing drugs which have been banned from baseball. Chemical structure of the natural anabolic hormone testosterone, 17β-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one. ... A view of the playing field at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. ... MLB and Major Leagues redirect here. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ...

While rumors of drug use by players have persisted for years, the controversy over steroids has grown considerably due to the drastic rise in home runs since 1995. During the decade that ensued the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds each surpassed Roger Maris' home run record, which had stood largely unchallenged for over 30 years. The 1994 baseball strike resulted in the cancellation of the World Series for the first time in 90 years. ... Mark David McGwire (born October 1, 1963 in Pomona, California) is a former professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the Oakland Athletics before finishing his final years with the St. ... Samuel Sammy Peralta Sosa (born November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a right fielder/designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball. ... Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) He is the son of former Major League All-Star Bobby Bonds, cousin of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, and the godson of Hall of Famer Willie Mays. ... Roger Eugene Maris (September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985) was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who is primarily remembered for breaking Babe Ruths 34-year-old single-season home run record in 1961 on the last day of the season. ...

"The Steroids Era"

Cover of Juiced; Jose Canseco's book documenting the impact of steroids in baseball

In a 2002 interview with ESPN's Dan Patrick, author and commentator Bob Costas referred to the post-labor dispute era as the "Steroids Era",^[1] noting that while there had been only eighteen 50+ home run seasons in Major League Baseball to that point, there had been nineteen since the 1995 season. While there are many theories to explain the dramatic increase in home runs, including the "juiced ball" theory, the replacement of pitcher-friendly parks with hitter-friendly venues, and the dilution of the pitching ranks via expansion, steroid use remains the most commonly cited explanation for the power surge. Image File history File links This image is of a book cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the publisher of the book. ... Image File history File links This image is of a book cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the publisher of the book. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... Daniel Patrick Pugh (born May 15, 1956), better known as Dan Patrick, is an American sportscaster from Mason, Ohio. ... Robert Quinlan Costas (born March 22, 1952) is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s. ... In Major League Baseball, the 50 home run club is an informal term applied to the group of players who have hit 50 or more home runs in a single season. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1995 throughout the world. ...

Several players have come forward in recent years to suggest that drug use is rampant in baseball. David Wells stated that "25 to 40 percent of all Major Leaguers are juiced".^[2] Jose Canseco stated on 60 Minutes and in his book Juiced that as many as 85% of players used steroids, and that he credited steroid use for his entire career.^[3] Ken Caminiti revealed that he won the 1996 NL MVP award while on steroids.^[4] David Lee Boomer Wells (born May 20, 1963 in Torrance, California) is a Major League Baseball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... José Canseco Capas, Jr. ... Not to be confused with a BBC news magazine program of the same name. ... Kenneth Gene Caminiti (April 21, 1963 – October 10, 2004) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1996 throughout the world. ... In the game of baseball, both amateur and professional, it is tradition to annually recognize the one player in the league who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ...

Former major league pitcher Tom House spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle in 2005, admitting to steroid use during his playing career and claiming that use of steroids was already widespread in baseball by the time he started his professional career in the late 1960s.^[5] Thomas Ross House (born April 29, 1947 in Seattle, Washington) is a former Major League Baseball player, as well as an author and a pitching coach. ... Todays San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 as The Daily Dramatic Chronicle by teenage brothers Charles de Young and Michael H. de Young. ...

Effects on health

On February 17, 2003, Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler collapsed and died on the practice field at spring training of heat stroke. The medical examiner ruled that the over-the-counter drug Ephedra played a significant role in Bechler's death. One week later, Bud Selig banned all players with minor league contracts from using Ephedra. Major League players were not held to the same rules.^[6] February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 5, 8, 20, 22, 33, 42 Name Baltimore Orioles (1954–present) St. ... Steven Scott Bechler (November 18, 1979 - February 17, 2003) was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in 2002. ... Hyperthermia is an acute condition resulting from excessive exposure to heat, it is also known as heat stroke or sunstroke. ... Ephedra in medicine. ... Allan Huber Bud Selig, Jr. ...

Former player Ken Caminiti, the 1996 National League MVP, detailed the health consequences he suffered as a result of his steroid use, telling Sports Illustrated that "his testicles shrank and retracted; doctors found his body had virtually stopped producing its own testosterone and that his level of the hormone had fallen to 20% of normal." Caminiti would later die as a direct result of substance abuse.^[4] Kenneth Gene Caminiti (April 21, 1963 – October 10, 2004) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball. ...

The chase for 62

During the 1998 season, Sosa and McGwire competed in an epic race to set the home run mark previously set by Roger Maris. By the season's end, Sosa had eclipsed the record with 66 home runs while McGwire set the single season record by crushing 70 baseballs out of the ballpark. While the chase proved to be a watershed event in baseball's recovery following the 1994 players strike, both players were also dogged by suspicion over their use of supplements—In McGwire's case, androstenedione^[7] and in Sosa's case creatine.^[8] This year in baseball 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 Events January-March January 5 - Don Sutton, a 324-game winner is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his fifth try. ... The 1994 baseball strike resulted in the cancellation of the World Series for the first time in 90 years. ... A dietary supplement is intended to supply nutrients, (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids or amino acids) that are missing or not consumed in sufficient quantity in a persons diet. ... Androstenedione (also known as 4-androstenedione) is a 19-carbon steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the gonads as an intermediate step in the biochemical pathway that produces the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol. ...

The next year the two were in a similar race and McGwire hit 65 homers and Sosa 63. By 2001 Bonds was hitting home runs at an incredible pace. Bonds would break McGwire's record by hitting 73 home runs. It seemed unlikely to many observers that he could continue hitting home runs at such a pace at his age (Bonds turned 37 during the 2001 season) without some sort of supplementary help. The following are the baseball events of the year 2001 throughout the world. ...

Congressional investigation

The nutrition center BALCO, was accused of distributing steroids to many star players, most notably Bonds. Baseball has attempted to toughen its drug policy, beginning a plan of random tests to players. Players such as Ryan Franklin and others were handed suspensions as short as ten days. However, a Congressional panel continued to argue that the penalties were not tough enough, and took action. The Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) is a controversial sports nutrition center in Burlingame, California, USA. The company achieved infamy due to a long investigation in accusations that the lab provided anabolic steroids and other banned performance-enhancing drugs to athletes, many famous. ... Ryan Ray Franklin (born March 5, 1973) is a Major League Baseball player. ...

Many top players, including Rafael Palmeiro, McGwire, Sosa, Canseco and Curt Schilling were summoned on March 17, 2005 to testify in front of Congress. During the session, Canseco admitted his steroid use which he claims was perfectly acceptable during the 1980s and early 90's. Palmeiro denied all steroid use during his career,^[9] while McGwire refused to discuss the issue, repeatedly stating "I'm not here to discuss the past."^[10] Rafael Palmeiro Corrales (born September 24, 1964 in Havana, Cuba) is a Major League Baseball player, with a career spanning almost 20 years. ... Curtis Montague Schilling (born November 14, 1966 in Anchorage, Alaska) is an American Major League Baseball player, a right-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. ...

Palmeiro, who was listed in Canseco's book as a user along with McGwire, denied Canseco's claims and told Congress that those claims were absolutely erroneous and that he had never had relations with Jose. The committee had stated that baseball had failed to confront the problems of performance-enhancing drugs. The committee was disturbed by the accepted use of steroids by athletes because it created a bad persona of players who in many cases are role models to many of the aspiring youth. During the testimonies the players called to Congress offered their condolences for youthful athletes who had committed suicide after using performance-enhancing drugs.

Five months after the Congressional hearing, Palmeiro tested positive for steroids. Mark McGwire, whose credentials could arguably satisfy expectations for first ballot Hall of Fame election, was denied election in his first year, with many voters citing McGwire's refusal to speak at the Congressional Investigation.

BALCO scandal

During this period, Bonds' trainer, Greg Anderson and BALCO head Victor Conte (also connected to Jason Giambi and Canseco), were not subpoenaed in California by the House Committee for investigation. Greg F. Anderson (b. ... Victor Conte is the founder and president of Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO), a controversial sports nutrition center in Burlingame, California, which the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) says developed the banned steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG). ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

As a result of pressure from Congress, baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association began applying stricter regulations and applied a zero tolerance policy in correspondence to performance enhancing drugs. On August 1, 2005, Palmeiro tested positive for performing enhancing substances and was suspended ten days.^[9] Once thought to be a lock for the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of only four players to have both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, Palmeiro's legacy has now been called into question. Palmeiro's career would quickly die as he would retire soon after his suspension was lifted. The Major League Baseball Players Association (or MLBPA) is the union of professional major-league baseball players. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related...

The Bonds controversy continues especially now that he has surpassed the All time Home Run record. The media continues to pressure Bonds with questions over the issue. In 2006, the book Game of Shadows was published offering unsourced claims that since Bonds' trainer was providing performance enhancers to his other athletes that he also provided Bonds with steroids. Bonds had admitted that he did use a clear substance and lotion given to him by his trainer but had no idea that they were any sort of performance enhancers. Bonds claimed that to his knowledge that the substances given to him were legal to treat his arthritis. Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Game of Shadows is a book published on March 23, 2006 and was written by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle. ... Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. ...

2006 Baseball steroids investigation

On March 29, 2006, ESPN learned that former Senator and Disney chairman George J. Mitchell will head an investigation into past steroid use by Major League Baseball players, including San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds. Mitchell was appointed by baseball commissioner Bud Selig in the wake of controversy over the book Game of Shadows, which chronicles alleged extensive use of performance-enhancing drugs, including several different types of steroids and growth hormone by Bonds. Selig has acknowledged that the book, by way of calling attention to the issue, is in part responsible for the league's decision to commission an independent investigation. is the 88th day of the year (89th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Politics Portal      The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral United States Congress, the... The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in the world. ... George John Mitchell, GBE (born August 20, 1933 in Waterville, Maine) is Chairman of the Walt Disney Company. ... MLB and Major Leagues redirect here. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) He is the son of former Major League All-Star Bobby Bonds, cousin of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, and the godson of Hall of Famer Willie Mays. ... The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball. ... Allan Huber Bud Selig, Jr. ... Game of Shadows is a book published on March 23, 2006 and was written by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Chemical structure of the natural anabolic hormone testosterone, 17β-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one. ... Growth hormone (GH or somatotropin) is a 191-amino acid, single chain polypeptide hormone which is synthesised, stored and secreted by the somatotroph cells within the lateral wings of the anterior pituitary gland, which stimulates growth and cell reproduction in humans and other animals. ...

Selig did not refer to Bonds by name in announcing the investigation, and many past and present players will be investigated. Mitchell will take on a role similar to that of John Dowd, who investigated Pete Rose's alleged gambling in the late 1980s. John M. Dowd is a lawyer and is best known for being the investigator and author of a report that led to the banning of American Major League Baseball player Pete Rose. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... There have been many dramatic on-field moments in the 130+ years of Major League Baseball. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

On June 6, 2006, Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jason Grimsley's home was searched by federal agents. He later admitted to using human growth hormone, steroids, and amphetamines. According to court documents, Grimsley failed a baseball drug test in 2003 and allegedly named other current and former players who also used drugs. On June 7, 2006 he was released by the Diamondbacks, reportedly at his own request. is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) West Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–present) Other nicknames The D-Backs, The Snakes Ballpark Chase Field (1998–present) a. ... Jason Alan Grimsley (born August 7, 1967 in Cleveland, Texas) was best known as a professional relief pitcher. ... Human growth hormone can refer to: For physiology of human growth hormone, see growth hormone. ... Amphetamine or Amfetamine (Alpha-Methyl-PHenEThylAMINE), also known as, beta-phenyl-isopropylamine, and benzedrine, is a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 7 is the 158th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (159th in leap years), with 207 days remaining. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big, José Canseco's tell-all book on steroids in baseball
• Major League Baseball drug policy
• Will Carroll. 2005. The Juice: The Real Story of Baseball's Drug Problems. Ivan R. Dee, Pub. ISBN 156663668X.
• Nate Silver, "How Much Do Statistics Tell Us About Steroids." Pp. 326-342 in Jonah Keri, Ed., Baseball Between the Numbers. New York: Basic Books, 2006. ISBN 0-465-00596-9.

Major League Baseballs drug policy Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program is a drug policy established by agreement between the MLB Players Association and the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball in order to deter and end the use by baseball players of banned substances, including anabolic steroids and... Nate Silver is Executive Vice-President of Baseball Prospectus. ...

References

1. ^ Baseball, steroids and the truth, Dan Patrick, ESPN, June 3, 2002
2. ^ Boomer Bombshell, Sports Illustrated.com, February 27, 2003
3. ^ Canseco credits steroids for his career, MSNBC.com, February 14,2005
4. ^ ^{a b} Totally Juiced, Sports Illustrated.com, June 3, 2002
5. ^ House a 'failed experiment with steroids, SF Chronicle, May 3, 2005
6. ^ Medical examiner: Ephedra a factor in Bechler death, USAToday, March 13, 2003
7. ^ nytimes.com, Opponents Don't Fault McGwire For Pills, New York Times, August 25, 1998.
8. ^ time.com, Crazy for Creatine, accessed May 23, 2007.
9. ^ ^{a b} Palmeiro's shameful end, Yahoo Sports, August 1, 2006
10. ^ He won't say: McGwire deflects panel's questions about steroid use, San Francisco Chronicle, March 18, 2005