Baseball Fans Thank Expansion
Everyone has heard talk about baseball players and their use of performance enhancing drugs. The media constantly covers this topic, and the recent opening day for Major League Baseball is no different. No one can argue that the game of baseball has not changed over the years, but what is the reason? The author of this article claims that it is not because of steroid use like so many people claim, but rather it is a result of expansion. He says “without even bringing steroids into the discussion, it is no surprise that some already fine hitters performed even better after the early 1990s.” He explains how the expansion has increased the likelihood of great achievements. Do you agree with the author’s claim that needles and pills are not to blame, but rather expansion?
6 comments:
Baseball did not get the name "America's favorite pastime" by accident. I agree with the author that baseball has not changed because of steriods. The game of baseball has evolved from expansion in a sense that some of the strageties and players have changed, but I believe baseball will remain one of the purest games ever created.
I feel that baseball has changed with the talk of steroids entering the game. It has now put a blemish on what we call "America's favorite pastime."Some can overlook steroids and argue that it is new training methods and strategies that allow players to become as strong as they are. However, the talk of steroids is not going away anytime soon and that there will always be that little blemish on the game.
I will argue that while some of the inflated numbers (home runs) could come from advanced training techniques, and maybe even steroids in some instances, however, one thing that is not mentioned often is in fact expansion.
Maybe not the same expansion that you are talking about, but expansion in team numbers. Just over the past 20 years baseball has added several teams (Devil Rays, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays) which in my opinion has watered down the pitching, and thus led to an increase in hitting. 20 years ago a team may have had 4 really good pitchers, however, due to expansion they may only have 2 or 3 (This isn't even factoring in relief pitchers, where it is sometimes hard to find a good relief pitcher).
So while some people may say steroids are to blame for the offensive explosion in recent years, I say they are only looking at part of the equation.
I absolutely agree. People need to understand that comparing the game 30 years ago to today, is not a very valid comparison. First of all, 30 years ago, baseball players did not have the facilities, equipment, or even the knowledge that today's players and coaches do. When discussing expansion, it has made an obvious impression on team and individual's statistics. Expansion allows the major League to sign more talented ball players to play on newly established ball clubs. Before expansion, team stats could have been low for multiple reasons, but lacking a high number of skilled athletes in the Major League is going to be a leading cause. Ever since expansion was allowed, we have had the opportunity to see a lot of talented athletes come into the League and are continuing to do so today. Despite a few bad decisions by players to use steroids, the game continues to get better. Who can blame these athletes? Their life is one giant competition day-in nad day-out, wanting to have that edge to succeed. Winning is all these athletes know.
Baseball like so many other sports are getting bigger in this world every year. Comparing athletes today to atletes ten to twenty years ago is easy, athletes today are two times better. Is it because of steriods I dont think so because people ten years ago could have also taken steriods. Baseball is becoming more popular in the world and many more kids are playing this game. Training is getting better and kids our practicing a lot. I do think it is expansion of the sport.
Its probably a little bit of both, batting techniques have become more refined and more substances have been created but theres no way every major leaguer is on steroids
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