Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Baseball

In this paper I shall argue that the use of performance-enhancing drugs, specifically steroids, in the game of baseball is morally wrong. In support of my thesis, I shall examine the interviews of current and former Major League Baseball players and managers in Howard Bryant's book Juicing the Game. Also, I will incorporate the ideas of prominent sports writers George F. Will and Will Carroll, whose articles will further describe the glaring steroid problem in baseball as well as why players and fans should be concerned. In order to develop my position, I shall first discuss how the harmfulness of steroids to the user provides a moral argument against steroids. Then, I will evaluate how the use of steroids by players harms others, namely fellow players and fans. Finally, I will explain the effects that the immoral act of using performance-enhancing drugs is having, and will have, on the game of baseball.

One argument for the immorality of steroid use in baseball is the argument that self harm is immoral. Beyond any possible benefits of steroid use lies the dangerous issue of health. In many cases, athletes (especially young athletes) are so focused on success in a professional sport that they are ignoring the glaring consequences of steroid use. In actuality, the price of steroid use and abuse is high, much higher a price than any lucrative contract or marketing deal.