David Ortiz For Commissioner

Last week we learned that the individual generally regarded as the best player in baseball has used steroids during his illustrious career. Ever since, we have been subjected to the fallout of this, yet another steroid scandal involving a major league baseball player. I could spend time ranting about how one more hero has fallen and further tarnished a once great game or how these individuals cannot achieve any further goals without a shadow of doubt being cast over every thing they accomplish.

However, all of that has already been said and blah-blah-blahed by people who are much better spoken than myself. I would rather focus on the responsibility aspect of the situation. There are professional athletes and media members who believe that simply admitting to a mistake can get someone off the hook. That there should be no discipline for those who confess to wrong-doing. Over the past few years, we have seen the likes of Mark McGuire, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, and Sammy Sosa among others deny that they have ever used steroids or any other performance-enhancing drugs. Even with those denials, baseball writers and sports journalists across the country have said that there is no room in the Baseball Hall of Fame for such individuals.

Last week, Alex Rodriguez, the mighty A-Rod, admitted to using performance enhancing drugs after his name appeared in a federal investigation and he was painted into a corner by a now immortal Sports Illustrated article (He had publicly denied the allegation in the past). I have been waiting for someone to say that there is no place in the Hall for A-Rod and I was hugely disappointed at the lack of such talk.

Then Monday rolled around. This is the week that most major league ball players will report to their respective spring training facilities. Some players have already reported - and they are sounding off. Jaime Moyer, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and former A-Rod team mate, says he can't see how Rodriguez will get any Hall of Fame consideration and David Ortiz of the Red Sox says that he thinks any player who tests positive for steroids should have to miss an entire season. This is huge for athletes in a sport who belong to a players union that has traditionally supported their own - even when their own has been wrong. Maybe players are finally realizing how important public perception is to the survival of their sport - especially in a time of economic downturn. There are a lot of people who would rather save their hard-earned dollars than to go throw it at a bunch of millionaires who cheat and those teammates who defend them.

I know there is a difference between supporting and defending a teammate. To support a teammate through hard and difficult times is admirable. Who could ask for anything more as a teammate. But still I wonder if some athletes get it. I heard Mark Teixiera telling the national media how he and his teammates would be supportive of Rodriguez and I have no problem with that but then he followed it by saying "What matters is what's on that field?" Really? I thought it was that mentality that got us to this point in the first place.