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Essay / Steroids and Major League Baseball - 844
The use of steroids in sports is a way to boost training so that one can run faster, jump higher and hit 100 home runs. “The benefits of steroids are countless. Bodybuilders and athletes use anabolic steroids to enhance their performance. Steroids also help reduce fatigue due to which sportspersons can perform tirelessly. It acts as a buffer when lactic acid is formed during physical exertion. Steroids help athletes perform better, run faster, and increase their endurance capacity (ArticlesBase 1). The physiological benefits of steroids include improving muscle growth by increasing protein synthesis, contributing to metabolic activities and regulation of sex hormones and organs (ArticlesBase 1). The most commonly used steroids in major league sports are anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. Non-medical use of anabolic steroids is illegal and prohibited by most sporting organizations (SportsMedicine 1). The most well-known controversy over steroids is the ongoing struggle within Major League Baseball (MLB). Steroids entered baseball's list of banned substances in 1991, but testing for major league players did not begin until the 2003 season. Evidence of steroid use was commonplace and the numbers offensive were sharply increasing. In 1996, the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Oakland A's all broke their single-season home run records. In 1998, Mark McGwire destroyed Roger Maris' home run record, followed closely by Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa. Three years later, Barry Bonds broke McGwire's home run record. A change in the nature and frequency of injuries also indicated an increased use of steroids (Grossman 2). Eventually, admissions began when Ken Caminiti became number one on the paper. He also treated three athletes in New York, two in Boston, two in Tampa as well as athletes in Washington, Orlando, San Diego and San Francisco. Authorities said Galea kept separate records on his professional athlete patients and, in some cases, billed them under a separate company called Galea Investments, Inc. Galea himself admitted to visiting Tiger Woods at his home at the outside of Orlando, Florida, four or five times last year. to administer PRP therapy to his left knee. Woods confirmed being treated by Galea, while strongly denying any use of illegal or prohibited drugs (full paragraph: Fish 1). The natural competitiveness of today's world can lead to big choices. Especially in professional sports, athletes will choose any path necessary to achieve their goals of being the best they can be, including the use of performance-enhancing drugs..