It's a sign of the times that last week the big sports story was the confession of a cheater. Mark McGuire, the single season home run record holder admitted that he used steroids and growth hormones during his most productive years in baseball. In his tearful admission he acknowledged that he took performance enhancing drugs to help overcome injuries and to justify his substantial salary. To be fair, no one seemed to care about the use of drugs for the longest time, as long as the athletes entertained us. We can be sure that the teams who employed them and league officials turned a blind eye to abuses.
The trouble is, McGuire's emotional admission seems to be too little too late. When he appeared before an inquiry five years ago he refused to say anything about his use of drugs, even as other players "came clean." Now he is willing to express his contrition. Why? Well, he is eligible for the Hall of Fame now and again this year he didn't come close to election despite his impressive career numbers. The suggestion is that McGuire and the office of Major League Baseball are working to refurbish the former star's image.
What do you think of this act of contrition? There is a long tradition in our faith of admitting our failings, of confession, formal or informal. And key tenets of Christianity are forgiveness and reconciliation.
Does this confession seem authentic, or a cynical attempt at self-promotion? Have we created a hero-worship culture that encourages cheating?
Do we have the right to judge?
It's stories like this guy that make me care a little less about these professional sports "athletes" each year.
ReplyDeleteI admit to being a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Montreal Canadiens(sorry), but I often take a step back and think how it really shouldn't be taken so seriously. So many of these highly, insanely paid players are out of touch with reality, with the hardships that the average person experiences, that it is disheartening. And I'm sure many are playing for the money, not for the love of the game. It's all about who gets the biggest contract.
When I see people in poverty, lining up at food banks, who are losing homes, etc, I often think how nice it would be if all these players - some of whom make upwards of $20 million a year(!!!) for playing a GAME - could each put a half million towards the those in crisis. What a difference it could make!
Perhaps I come across as being anti-capitalist, but those are my thoughts. So big Mark doesn't get into the Hall of Fame. Big deal. He made his millions while being juiced up, and like you said, there is probably another agenda at work.
Wow...after writing this post, I think I like sports even less now......although I'll probably catch the NFL games tomorrow!!
Yours hypocritcally,
Johnny
The issue here is the message McGuire sent to all those of an impressionable age who followed him as he destroyed Roger Maris' single-season home run record. Plain and simple, he told the kids of the world "it's fine to lie, cheat, and manipulate the game in order to get what you want."
ReplyDeleteIt's the same message coming from Wall Street. It's the same message coming from politicians who promise one thing during elections and deliver something entirely once in office. It's crept into our lives so insidiously that moral relativism is now society's new norm.
You could trace this kind of thing back to Richard Nixon, or into Macbeth, or even back to Judas. Mark McGuire is just another example of how hard it can sometimes be to be good; how challenging it can be for human beings to choose doing the right thing in the face of personal gain.
Thanks guys. Both thoughtful responses I hope others will read. I guess this makes us the three amigos, which looks better than the three stooges.
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