The 600 Club*

There are plenty of clubs us males would like to be in; the Mile High Club, the 40/40 club (both the establishment, and MLB standard of 40 home runs and stolen bases in a season), the He-Man Woman Haters Club, and before the Steroid Era, the 600 Club. Before the Steroid Era of baseball, there were only three members of that elite club; Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. Four have been added in this Club in this past decade alone, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., and now Alex Rodriguez. This "Club" is now jaded in the eyes of fans and only time, and definite proof of an enhancing free league, will have the fans respecting these records again.

Of the new four, three are at least suspected enhancers; Sosa, Bonds, and Rodriguez. Of those 3, Bonds and Rodriguez would have made the Club, regardless of enhancing. Bonds finished his career with 762 and Rodriguez could finish with over 800. These numbers are inflated due to the Era, but given their talent, 600 would have definitely been attainable had they not enhanced. 600 would not have happened for Sosa, since he only ended with 609.

Comparing players of yesterday to the ones of today is impossible, which renders all of these records useless. Reggie Jackson was one of the bigger players of his day, but looks tiny next to Rodriguez. Even without enhancing, players have an advantage now, that wasn't available in the past. Scouting is better, conditioning is better, and the pay is better. Players don't have to take on second jobs to support their families while they play a game all summer. Spring training isn't as necessary for position players anymore due to the year round conditioning. And teams hire numerous scouts in addition to the countless hours of film watched to prepare for opponents.

This is true in every sport. The game evolves, players improve, and records are broken. As fans, we like to see the better style of play, we just don't like to hear about the enhancing. Players are held to a insanely high standard as role models. Some can handle that pressure, but for every Derek Jeter there are 10 Jose Canseco's. We don't put ourselves in the players shoes enough. Once a player breaks a rule, the law or just does something wrong, they are immediately judged. "How could they do that?", "What were they thinking?"

If I were in any of their shoes, I can't say I wouldn't enhance. Take Rodriguez for example. He knew very early on that he was the most talented hitter of his generation. Someone whispers into his ear telling him he could hit 800+ home runs, but he'll probably need to enhance. Don't worry, there is no testing yet. You won't get into any trouble.

800 home runs!

That is a ridiculous number. Given the fame that's already clouded his vision, it is not surprising the best hitter at the time would enhance. It is attributed to his competitive nature and cocky attitude. He wants to be the best, and wants everyone's eyes on him. Hitting 800 home runs would put his name on top. He would be mentioned forever as the best baseball hitter ever, probably best player ever given his excellent fielding.

Then he got caught.

So reaching 600 didn't matter. Reaching 700 probably won't matter. And now who knows about 800? But putting Rodriguez, Bonds, and Sosa in the same sentence as Ruth, Mays, Aaron, and Griffey Jr. certainly makes people cringe. Ruth was fat, drank and smoke as did many players. Mickey Mantle would show up severely hungover to games. Imagine what they could have done in this Era, even without enhancing. Ruth probably could have hit 1000 home runs. But now we'll just have to deal with tainted numbers, and this generation's best players being kept out of the Hall of Fame because of enhancing.

Why do I still like this sport?