Ever since the Miami New Times broke the story that players in the MLB were using performance-enhancing drugs, the league has been cracking down on every lead they get. And the first player to feel the heat was Ryan Braun.
When the scandal broke out months ago, Braun swore he was innocent and even said, “I would bet on my life that this substance never entered my body at any point.” Obviously that wasn’t true since he has accepted his 65-game drug suspension.
Braun said he wasn’t perfect and that he had to take responsibility of his actions. He also said he made a mistake.
But the worst has yet to come. As the MLB continues to crack down on this problem, the only question is: Who will be next in this investigation?
All fingers are pointing to Alex Rodriguez, who has been in the spotlight for quite some time. Though he is currently on the bench due to hip surgery he had back in January and a quadriceps injury, A-Rod could be suspended long before he makes it back on the field.
If Rodriguez is the next to go down due to the biogenesis scandal, his career could – and most likely would – be over. He has had previous performance-enhancing allegations and all sorts of accusations thrown at him throughout the years, but this could be the final straw.
Granted, Rodriguez is about to turn 38, and aging takes its toll eventually, but using performance-enhancing drugs to succeed in the game isn’t fair for anyone. Many players in the league work hard to excel in their career, and trying to cheat the system will only get you caught in the end.
Rodriguez’s career may be at stake, but if anyone could get away with not being banned for life, he could. Fans love him and the MLB needs some positive light during this period, but would it be fair to let him walk while others are getting suspended or banned?
Braun only got a 65-game suspension, 15 games over what a normal first offense gets. Other players such as Texas’ Nelson Cruz, Oakland’s Bartolo Colon, San Diego’s Everth Cabrera and Detroit’s Johnny Peralta are all going to start to feel the heat of the league. They may only get a 50-game suspension, but they are setting the standard for what’s in store for steroid users.
It’s said that more than a dozen players have been caught in this scandal; more than a dozen players cheated the system and brought shame to their names. The league’s actions are more than appropriate for what has happened, and all the players on the biogenesis list should be worried because the league’s sword is coming down fast.
Braun was just the first to go down, and the rest will be next to fall.
