@vivabear. jesus I’m glad someone said it. That’s the biggest misconception of the steroid era. What they were doing was ilegal federally for over 20 years and illegal within the game since the early 90s. We can talk about how silly Faye Vincent’s policy was as he essentially set a speed limit and didn’t hire any cops, but none the less it was illegal and they broke the rules. Again whether or not you think they should get in the HOF is another discussion. I’d prefer they not get in if we know for a fact they used, but I wouldn’t lose my mind either. That said if you’re going to lose your mine about them NOT getting in, then at least realize that it DID effect the performance, and it WAS illegal.

When we talk about Pete Rose… The man was incredible – as a player. Between the lines, no one played the game with the same childish eagerness as Rose. He entertained the press daily. I thrived on the game. Pete Rose WAS the Cincinnati Reds. Two-three years AFTER he retired as a player, he did the stupid deed. He most definitely should be put in the Hall AS A PLAYER. I’ve read a couple books that offer interesting facts regarding Rose. Firstly, his own autobiography from 1970, where he described the dog tracks and horse tracks during spring training and when he was on road trips. Gambling was a part of his life early. Gambling is also a disease. I just finished reading Joe Morgan’s A Life in Baseball. He alludes to the fact that he thinks Rose was allowed to leave the Reds via free agency because of his gambling habit – without directly saying Rose was gambling on baseball. Regardless, there was never any accusations, nor proof. Therefore, we can only assume his innocense.

Both should be in the Hall of Fame. (I was at the Hall for the first time in June 2011 – being from SW Ohio, I really missed Rose’s plaque.)

Regarding gambling in baseball, I’m reading “The Original Curse” by Sean Devaney where he asks – and (hopefully in the end) answers this question: “Did the Cubs throw the 1918 World Series to Babe Ruth’s Red Sox and incite the Black Sox Scandal?”

I’m halfway through it, and it’s amazing how gambling was accepted by the owners for years. The Black Sox just had poor timing, after the end of WWI, as I see it.

What part of “…integrity, sportsmanship and character…” makes you believe that cheating is not a part of those “guidelines”?

If they weren’t over the counter or prescribed by a doctor then they were illegal. They are no different than cocaine, pot or any other drug that you can’t by out in the open.

I don’t know what you think the defintion of illegal is, but eveidently it’s the opposite of what it actually is. Steroids were put into a class of illegal drugs by the feds in the late 80′s. Faye Vincent sent out an internal memo to all teams in the early 90′s letting them know steroids were against MLB’s rulse, and anyone caught using was be subject to penalties.

It’s voters actually make up their own rules about whom to vote for and not vote for….and they are not consistent, among voters or even the same voters from year-to-year or player-to-player.

Again, HR rates did not decrease after steroid testing began….they decreased later…and the fact that MLB is so PR conscience, I would be shocked if they didn’t order new balls that flew less far just help a downturn in offense lead public perception that steroid/PED use was down.