Double Standard Just Fine With Me
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by Tom Miller
In the aftermath of the release of the Mitchell Report, there has been a vast difference in responses among both the media and the public at large. The one viewpoint with which I’m taking issue with today involves another American sport league, the National Football League. For several years there have been grumblings among the baseball world at large that they are unfairly judged for their problems with performance-enhancing drugs, while the NFL has largely received a pass. For instance, during the 2006-2007 NFL season, Shawne Merriman, linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, was suspended for 4 games for violating the NFL’s steroid policy. Despite this suspension, Merriman still managed to finish 3rd in voting for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Also, today I read an article on ESPN.com, written by Jayson Stark, in which he states that the cases for New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte and New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison are similar. Stark complains that despite being in situations that are comparable, Pettitte is regarded with contempt and Harrison will “go ride off on his parade float and soak in the cheers.”
While I certainly understand these arguments, I don’t agree with them. I’m happy that baseball is treated differently than football. The fact is, I think one of the reasons the Steroids Era is such an embarrassing part of baseball history is that baseball should be held to a higher standard. I’m reminded of something the Rob Neyer wrote during his record-setting chat in 2006 (and yes, I actually took the time to look for this):
“Bill ( Jersey City ): Rob - A serious question. Gary Matthews may have used perfromance enhancing drugs and MLB (and its policies) are thrown under the bus again by the media/fans. Meanwhile, the Steelers physician ordered $150k worth of perfomance enhancing drugs on his personal credit card and the NFL just plugs along as if nothing happened as the media/fans focus on trades/the draft. What gives?
Rob Neyer: As I've written many times, Baseball is held to a higher standard. And I'm perfectly fine with that.”
I’m not sure I can put it any better than that. Baseball’s my favorite sport, for so many reasons. Its history is one, the ridiculous intricacy of the infield fly rule is another, the fact that Wes Littleton earned a save in a 30-3 game is yet another. You might think of me as a 6-foot-tall version of Tim Kurkjian. Baseball is so great in its purest form that I’m ok with Harrison getting a pass from mainstream America, while Pettitte receives mostly boos.
