Did Steroids Save Baseball?
First of all this is in no way shape or form a post that is in support of steroids. I do not endorse them, I do not take them, I simply am trying to stir up some conversation.
Ok, hey everyone, apparently not everyone is as interested in the Presidency and the shape of the economy as I am. No problem, baseball fans should take interest to this next topic.
I will start with an update on life. I have yet another bullpen tomorrow, and more and more players continue to show up at Pirate City. The feel of spring training is in the air. My parents are coming into town for the weekend, and I am pretty excited about that. I think I am going to take the pops out for a round of golf on Saturday, and then spring training officially starts for me on Sunday.
Now onto the topic of steroids. They are by far the most controversial subject in all of baseball.
Ok I have to interrupt the post to talk about the bunker shot thatTiger just hit. On verge of going down 4 holes, he holes his bunker shot to win the hole. Unreal!!!!!
Back to steroids. I will start back in 1994, the year of the strike and the cancellation of the world series. This caused baseball fans everywhere to experience negative energy towards the game of baseball. So much so that in 1995 the TV ratings were lower than those of the year of the strike, and around all-time lows. For the next few years the baseball enterprise struggled mightily as fans had completely lost interest in the game. Then in 1998, something miraculous happened. Many know it as McGwire versus Sosa. Both players ended up breaking Roger Maris’ homerun record that had stood since 1961. Mac wound up hitting 70 and Sosa 65. Both players have later been associated with the steroid asterik. Yet what their home run race did for the game of baseball will be difficult to discount. TV ratings were back up, people had a new found interest in the game. So much so that in 1998 they brought in 2 new expansion teams, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays ans the Arizona Diamondbacks. Then 3 years later, fans were treated to the newest lead act, Barry Bonds. Fans didn’t have the pleasure of a home run race this time around, but they did get to see a prolific home run hitter knock 73 home runs out of parks around the United States. In doing so he also destroyed other offensive records such as walks per season and slugging percentage.
The assumption that steroids helped in the recovery of baseball takes on certain assumptions of its own. You have to assume that fans enjoy seeing the spike in offensive categories. The time known as the Steroid Era is also known as the Power Age, due to the increase in all power numbers, and essentially all offensive categories. A few of the explanations have been: new, smaller ballparks; juiced baseballs; watered down pitching due to there being too many teams; and perhaps juiced players.
Now some numbers that show the what I am attempting to explain.
In the year 2000 there were 5693 major league home runs hit. In 2001 there were 5458, and in 2004 another 5451. Yet in the years 2007 and 2008 there were 4957 and 4878 home runs hit.
In the 1997 season 2 players had 50 or more home runs, 12 players had 40 or more, and 31 had 30 or more. In 1998 2 players had 60 or more, 4 had 50 or more, 13 had 40 or more, and 37 had 29 or more. Finally in 1999 2 players had 60 or more, 13 had 40 or more, and an astonishing 45 players hit 30 or more home runs that year.
In the 2007 season 2 players had 50 or more home runs, only 5 had 40 or more, and a measely 25 had 30 or more. Again the numbers were down in 2008 as nobody hit 50, only 2 had 40 or more, and 25 had 30 or more. Big differences in home run production.
Now there is definitely no doubt about the fact that steroids are harmful to the baseball players themselves; however, I think that a shadow can be cast as to whether they are harmful on the game of baseball itself.
Just a little extra sidenote. Just because I make a new post, that does not mean that commenting on the old posts has to stop. If you have an opinion or a question on an older topic, feel free to post it. I get an email everytime I recieve a comment, and it also tells me what post it is in reply to.
Until later,
Moskie
Moskie Madness 
Here is my opinion.
First off I think steroids may have helped a small amount but it was only a fraction of what brought the game back.
The main factor was time. They say time heals all wounds and I truly believe this is what is most responsible for MLB’s resurgence.
Another factor was Selig’s aggressive marketing, the MLB has done what hockey refuses to do, they signed good TV contracts with channels that people actually receive, and have commercials on many networks.
The internet’s popularity is also another great resource. You can dial up stats, and highlights any time.
One factor I think that gets overlooked is the popularity of football and in extension fantasy sports. Fantasy sports has exploded and has become a huge hobby of sports fans. I believe this started with fantasy football.
There is no one magic bullet that saved baseball, but I think you have to include steroids somewhere in the list.
Daniel,
You make good points. I’m kind of tired of hearing about the whole steroids scandal but that’s the media for you.
Two questions…
Are you for or against putting asterisks in the record books? Personally, I say no asterisks because everybody and their brother seems to have been roiding.
Secondly, who will you consider the HR King when A-Rod breaks the record?
1. Hank Aaron (by the way, how do we know he didn’t take any drugs?)
2. Bonds
3. A-Rod
Hey Daniel, Great post. Do I think steroids helped baseball? Yeah. Probably. Do I feel good saying that? No. I’m the mom of two teenaged boys and how can I give a pass to the players who use drugs when I am telling my boys that drugs are wrong? The A-Rod situation I find very upsetting – you have a person admitting to using a drug that was not legal in the Dominican Republic (where he says it was purchased) and it was not legal in the USA. So how did it get into the country? There is no legal way to do that. If I – the suburban mom – brought those drugs into the country, I would probably face drug charges. It’s not a good thing. But I think another reason that baseball has become so popular is tied into your last post on the economy. As things get worse and life seems scary, we take comfort in the things that remind us of our youth. That remind us of when life was simple. Baseball fits that need. If helps us to feel good and safe. Good luck in the bullpen tomorrow!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Thinking over the premise of your blog, Im not sure that increased attendance is the proper barometer for whats in the games best interests. With that in mind…
TOP 10 OTHER WAYS FOR TEAMS TO BOOST ATTENDANCE:
10) Any runner who’s picked off first gets his head shaved.
9) Cutty Sark Night! A free fifth to the first 20,000 fans.
8) Star Spangled Banner sung nightly by Hooters waitresses.
7) Bring teenaged fans in from the stands to face Pujols.
6) Small market teams spotted 50 Wins to start the season.
5) All major leaguers have to play the 3rd inning of every game wearing blindfolds.
4) Opening Day sellout crowd held hostage at the stadium for the remainder of the season.
3) A nightly reenactment of Juan Marichal bashing in Johnny Roseboro’s head with a bat.
2) Dozens of snakes placed in visiting team’s dugout.
1) 4 words: “Now pitching, Oprah Winfrey”.
I was actually thinking about steroids the other day and the way that when people think of steroids they usually think of the hitters getting stronger. Now that I would hope the steroid era is coming to an end the hitters won’t have the edge they used to have. I was thinking that the hitters now might not have the same ability (artificial or not) as the players ten years ago but there will still be a top of the class and the best in the game. I think now everybody will be able to see the real abilities of baseball pros. I don’t know what baseball was like in 1994 since I was only like a few months old but I have heard/read a lot and baseball has definitely changed since then.
.
Ellie
http://mrmetbro.blogspot.com
Shamtown- I do agree that Bud Selig has done a pretty darn good job with damage control and his marketing. That would have been my other huge contributing factor. As far as your fantasy football argument, wasn’t 1998 a little before the fantasy football boom. Now don’t get me wrong I love fantasy football and have a couple teams each year. The part I do agree with you on is that the rise in popularity of football could have caused a decline in the popularity of baseball. The only issue I have with this is that they are at different times in the year.
Ka- You and me both. Our economy is in its biggest recession since the great depression, and all I can hear about everyday is that Bond’s trainer won’t testify, or Clemens vs. Mcnamee. I am just as sick of it as you are. Personally I am not for putting asteriks. I think that records are meant to be broken, and when it comes down to it, somebody was probably going to break the record anyway. I mean if Barry Bonds was in fact juicing, he was also hitting home runs off of pitchers that were on the same supplements. My answer to that question is that the home run king is the man with the most home runs in his career.
Julia- I agree with every point you make. It would be so hard for me to explain to my little kids that their favorite baseball player was a cheater. That is no easy task. I do agree with the relationship between the economy and baseball. Americans love things that comfort them, often those things are sports. I guess I am still unsure as to why A-Rod even dragged his cousin into this. And tried to pawn this off on his cousin and the Dominican Republic.
Wow another crazy post from Orrington. Those are pretty crazy ideas to boost attendance. I am sure there are some out there that would definitely go to a baseball game for a free fifth. Especially if yor team isn’t doing so well. I also think that I would only give 25 wins to small market teams. I would show up to see number 8, and if you combine number 1 and number 7, I’m there!!!
Ellie- Baseball has definitely changed over the years, there is no doubt about that. I have read/ heard several stories about pitchers going out and getting hammered the night before and showing up the next day to find the ball in their locker. Then they proceeded to go out there and throw no-hitters and perfect games. You definitely can’t do that nowadays. I would also say that the increase in player’s abilities over the years can be explained by increased technology, training(not steroids), and scouting. Those are things that they didn’t have, or pay any attention to in the past.
I think that steroids had a positive effect on baseball for a short term and then headed south very quickly. I loved seeing monster homeruns but i like to use Adam Dunn as an example for as far as i know hasnt used steroids, but still hits bombs. While watching bombs from players who are on teh juice is exciting its even better watching someone do it naturally. Unlike most tho I’d prefer to watch a closer strike out the side in the 9th when there teams up one or watch a shortstop throwout a runner at first from shallow left, or an inning ending double play. While homeruns are obviously exciting and a big part of the game it doesn’t really matter to me how far they go as long as they go over the fence, and I’d much prefer to see a good defensive play than a monster shot because in teh end a 325 ft homerun puts the same amount of points on the board as a 400ft homerun, just my take though feel free to disagree haha
Clarke- I can’t disagree with you there. I’m a pitcher, I would much rather see a double play or a web gem. Adam Dunn is also country strong, now that’s a different type of advantage. But man does he put a charge into some balls. A guy that I really like is Manny Ramirez. He has such a pure swing, and is just a great hitter. If he is using steroids, I can’t tell. The arguement that I am making, is that the Home Run Derby during the all-star break gets outrageous ratings. Everybody saw Hamilton hit 28 in the first round. Or Abreu hit 22 a couple years ago. it seems that the long ball is all people care about these days, and that is just a small aspect to the whole game of baseball.
I will go ahead post on this. Here’s a little bit about me. In my early to mid twenties I was big into body building but was having a rather difficult time putting weight on, I am 6’6″. After a couple years I couldn’t break the 225lbs weight barrier. I dediced to take steriods, it was very common in my local gym. Well not only did I break through my weight barrier I ended up getting to around 260lbs. It was not till a couple years later that I learned of what damage I had done to my body, I ended up blowing the tendons out in my feet because I had gotten too big. The funny thing is that when I questioned my doctor after my surgeries about a specific steroid, he told me to take it if I could get it, but he could not give it to me.
Ok back to baseball, in the time that steroids may have saved baseball they were not on the restricted list, yes they are illegal but so are alot of other things. We are talking about athletes who saw what was going on and when your paycheck depends on being better than everyone else, you do what you have to do.
Truly my only problem with the steroid era is that most of those who have been fingered won’t admit it. A-Rod only cause he got outed, Andy P. only after he was outed, Giambi I mean the list could go on and on. But then you look at Palmeiro standing in front of congress pointing his finger, then bam busted. McGwire doesn’t want to talk about the past, and Sosa forgetting how to speak english.
So now to current day we are still hearing about Bonds and Clemens still denying steroid use. How much do you think Anderson is getting paid from Bonds to keep spending time in jail, if there was nothing to tell he would testify.
Sorry for the long post.
Actually, my point is the integrity of the game has to be upheld even when it runs counter to what people might wanna see. Thats why corked bats arent allowed, even when fans are power thirsty.
To me, a corked body is no different than a corked bat. When a player’s ability is so dramatically distorted through artificial means, whats the point?
Ironically, the steroid era is like any good drug. The high is instant and intense, but when you come down you understand youve enjoyed a phony euphoria. Thats whats happening now. Fans are realizing the efforts that intoxicated them were phony accomplishments, fun then, but now seen as part of an era of deception that cant be trusted.
Saved baseball? Mightve seemed that way then, but the steroid years were just another saturday night of fans doing lines off a cloudy mirror. We’re now living through sunday morning. Long term, I dont think steroids saved baseball at all.
Spring Training- Wow, that is a pretty incredible story. However, I don’t think that the effectiveness of steroids was ever in question. There is obviously a reason they are illegal, and a reason why players choose to use them. I agree in every aspect to your point about people denying it. I would really appreciate it if they would just come out and get it out of the way. That way I dont have to hear about it for 6 months until a final decision is made. I can only imagine how much Anderson is gettting paid, but it looks like it might save Barry’s butt.
Orrington- I completely agree with your point, and I knew where you were going with that post. I just thought it was really funny how you went about it. I agree, long term they probably did more harm than good. Yet at the time, it really bailed them out of a big hole. The integrity of the game has defiinitely been tarnished by the steroid era. But then again the modern era of society has probably had the same effect.
Well, I care more about baseball than I care about society. And society will just have to deal with that. Now if youll excuse me, Im going back to doing lines off a cloudy mirror. 🙂
Hahaha and we are back to a more typical and less sentimental post from Orrington.
Well, Im only sentimental about baseball. The rest of the time Im a vicious sociopath.
At least you picked something worthwhile to be sentimental about
True, I like the fact that the homerun is a small aspect but gets alot of attention because in other sports more things that don’t put points on the board such as a fight in hockey or a big hit in football which get alot of attention but don’t do anything for the scoreboard for example when Ray Lewis broke Rashard Mendenhall’s arm yeah it was a big hit and it got attention all the way up to the superbowl, but his team still ended up losing the game when he hit Rashard. Basically what im trying to say is in baseball a homerun is soimething that isn’t planned it just happens which makes it exciting but you can’t count on it, but you can expect a big hit from james harrison when the time is right and your goon in hockey to come out to fight when you need a momentum change.
Kidding aside, I know Barthmaier is your roommate. Tell the young man Im pulling for him hard. I thought he was a stud when he was in the Houston organization. i damn near dropped my teeth when they gave up on him. Im looking forward to their mistake being our gain. And Im sure it will be.
Clarke- You are right about the home run affecting the score. Sometimes though a big hit or a fight can have more of an affect on a game than a solo home run. It just depends on the situation I guess. I actually enjoy all of the above, but I never like to see players get hurt like with Rashard or Willis McGahee.
I will do. I am pulling for him too. He is a really good kid, and a really good roommate. That is underappreciated sometimes, as I have had the worst when it comes to roommates. I was surprised that Houston gave up on him so easily too, especially since they lack depth in their system. He works his tail off, so I hope the best for him.
Yknow, Id like to hear some of your roommate stories. No need to mention names, but THATS the sort of goofy, insider stuff that guys like me would love to hear from guys like you. Have you read Ball Four? If you havent, go to a book store tomorrow. Time Magazine called it one of the 100 Most Influential Books of the 20th Century. And I suspect youd find it a particularly interesting read.
Orrington its funny that you mention that book. One of my best friends growing up actually bought that book for me when I went away for college. It’s an awesome book. I read it in like a few weeks. Which is pretty fast for me. I prefer books on tape. I wil have to try to get some stories out of Jimmy, and pass them on the blog world.
You’re definitely right about PED’s helping restore baseball to its previous glory. It’s funny that people care so much more about the affect of PED’s on baseball over any other sport. It’s the hallowed statistics that set baseball apart and create that additional controversy on the subject.
More on this:
http://i94sports.com/?p=950
Dan,
As much as I wish that it wasn’t true, I do agree that steroids probably helped the sport a lot in regaining popularity. The problem is that so many fans that I have talked to have become very turned off by the sport due to the many realizations about the number of players who have used steroids.
Personally, steroids have never effected whether or not I like the sport. I actually would be a bigger fan of the type of baseball that is played now. In my experiences with baseball, my favorite one is one of great defense, good pitchers, and players who can get on base and are smart, fast baserunners. I’ve always believed with that, power isn’t as important. While many believe that the most exciting play in baseball is a deep home run, I think that a diving catch in the outfield is the best play in sports (probably can explain why McLouth is one of my two favorite players).
Nonetheless, I would like to believe that fans will begin to put the steroid era past us and understand that Major League Baseball is being kept clean and the suspicions no longer have to be there.
In a related steroids question, do you know much about the suspension of J.C. Romero for using what he was told was a legal supplement? If so, what are your feelings on that?
Should he be suspended for not calling the drug hotline that is mentioned or is he being wrongly mistreated by the league?
Here’s the link to Peter Gammons’ Report on the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3812334
Wik- It certainly is hard to ignore some of the facts. I wish it weren’t true as well.
Ising- It certainly is saddening that it came to this for baseball to gain back its popularity. I am with you that I prefer small ball, good defense, situationcal hitting, things like that. I don’t know much about the J.C. Romero case. I do know that there is a hotline that you can call to find out if a supplement will result in a positive test. It is the easiest way to go about it. Why not cover your butt? A buddy of mine called the hotline about a supplement I wanted to use this offseason. So I think that if he didn’t do that, he pretty much screwed himself. They are cracking down, and I don’t think he is being made an unfair example.
I agree with you that the McGwire vs Sosa contest and Bonds’ chase of the record brought baseball fans back after the strike, and in hindsight we know steroids played a role in making those things happen. You make a very logical case and I cannot argue with the facts. The question is… at what cost did baseball get its fans back?
What we havent seen yet, though, is the cost of it all…. we have yet to enter the season in which most fans are aware that this period in baseball was marred by steroid use, and so the jury is still out whether the cost to baseball will exceed the benefit when baseball was “saved”. Now that fans know those exciting conditions were “enhanced”, some may leave again and for good.
The good news is, it’s not too late. MLB has a big PR job ahead… one is to remove Bud Selig from his post… he was obviously knowledgable and therefore complicit (not that this is the only reason for Selig to go). His hands are as dirty in the whole steroid issue as any of the notorious players. Next is clean out the union bosses who were guilty of tipping off the players as to when they would be tested (I hope this can be done without a strike). Third is to have some transparency that players who tested positive are now clean, and promote the fact that MLB players today do not take steroids, cannot take steroids without being caught and do not condone their use by anyone at any level.
THEN and only THEN will the fans come back for good.
Brian- I actually agree with your comment. I made a response to someones comment that in the long run steroids will hurt more than it helped baseball. I think that alot of the true fans of the game have been hurt, and I expect some of them to distance themselves from the game. I am not going to make the conclusion that Selig’s hands are dirty, I really don’t need that kind of publicity. I do think that it is intereting how things are all of a sudden coming out, and that there are tests that have been saved for 10 or 15 years. I think that would be the best thing that they can do. Similar to Josh Hamilton going out and putting down drug use. have former steroid users do the same thing. I don’t know that we will be able to get all the fans back, but that is a start.
Welcome to MLBlogs! I think we fans would have been happy with just good baseball after the strike. It was bound to happen eventually… we didn’t need the slugfest that ended up tarnishing it for many of us. But I see your point and your desire to start a conversation. I applaud that.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
I have to think that Steroids and other PEDs have “saved” baseball jsut liek it increased the popularity of other sports. It’s not just the home run numbers though, it’s the pitchers pitching the ball with improved velocity, but possibly more than any of that, the ability to keep the star players healthy. Or at least allowing them to recover from injuries faster.
So, not only did it help to create stars like Bonds, McGwire and Sosa, but it let them keep playing. We were all amazed at the longevity of Roger Clemens. We got to see a Hall of Famer keep pitching effectively and breathtakingly for years after he may have without help. Same with Bonds. Having an unbelievable hitter like that (and he may be the best hitter ever, even without the ‘roids) in the league and being a draw for an extra 5 years or so absolutely helps the league.
I’m not condoning it either, but I think your point is absolutely valid. There is a line on what to allow versus what to not allow. Baseball is harder because it’s so statistically oriented. Football might have a few records that could be affected (sacks, rushing yards, TD’s) but they aren’t nearly as central to the enjoyment of the sport. So if everyone is using something, they are all still competing against each other. Whereas in baseball, there is a lot more importance tied to the stats of payers from older eras. We want to let players become as good as they can, it’s part of the spectacle the draws us to the sport. So there have to be rules in place to protect the players. Supplements that are found to be safe should be allowed. Those that are unsafe should be tested for and banned in order to prevent the temptation from being there in the first place. I’m glad to know that they make it easy by having a hotline.
In closing the fans are just as complicit in this “Scandal” as anyone else. We all had suspicions for years, and it’s not like there weren’t public allegations and questions. But it’s like the Simpson’s episode when Bart discovers the MLB satellite. McGwire shows up and asks the crowd if they want to hear the truth of the situation, or see some dingers. Every one shouts “dingers!” and all is forgotten.
Jeff- Thanks for the support. I don’t mind if we disagree. Like i said, I am not a supoorter of steroids, just thought it was an interesting topic, and hope that it would stimulate conversation.
False Account- First of all, other than the statistics I provided, I should have let you write my post. You make several good points. In baseball it is simple, you put up good numbers or they find someone who can. I couldn’t agree more with your post. Also that episode of the simpsons is my favorite one of all time, I can’t believe you brought that up. That is awesome.
I love Barry Bonds, he stole the record from McGwire, and still hated everyone he talked to. Anyway, steroids did save baseball, but I think they might destroy it too. Hopefully the game will be clean by the time you start pitching in the majors… that way you won’t get cheated out of dominant numbers.
BTW, doing a post on steroids is very risky, but you really did well. If baseball doesn’t work out for you, I'[m positive you could write for ESPN/SI… but I hope that doesn’t happen 🙂
Gjs- I am also a fan of Barry Bonds. Steroids or not, he is just such a pure hitter. I knew it would be risky to have a post on steroids, and I had to make sure that people knew this was not a post in support of steroids. I am glad you think that it was a well written post. Hopefully baseball works out for me, but if it doesn’t I wouldn’t mind doing something like that.
Yes, steroids did help save baseball. They will also lead to the possible demise as well. Steroids are so badly looked upon that there are countless commercials, companies, and products that discourage the use. I can tell you right now that, at least on my team, there are 3-4 roiders. However the kids on my team grew up in the early 90’s when nobody really knew about the harm they caused. Kids these days are well aware of the side effects and are scared to take them. This means if less kids take them, less kids benefit from them. If less kids benefit from them, less kids are interested in baseball, thus taking away a lot of possible talent. My opinion, if your not good enough to make it without roiding, then don’t risk your well being trying to be. The fact that more kids will quit because their not strong, fast, and quick enough is going to hurt baseball. Might be kind of a reach, but just a thought.
Kid- Wow so steroid usage was prominent in the early 90’s. The part that scares me is that people are aware of the side effects, and yet they continue to use them. It seems to be kind of typical of America though, we want everything the easy way and we want it immediately.
Daniel,
First off I am a huge CU fan. I enjoyed watching you and Tyler Colvin and others come thru Doug Kingsmore. Now I appologize but I am a Cubs fan but for a few years I was able to see the Pirates low A affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads, play. I had mixed emotions when you were sent to Lynchburg rather than Hickory. On one hand you were playing High A ball and were one step higher but I was looking foward to seeing you play alot. However, you guys came thru Winston Salem. I was able to see you there and remember meeting you and being rather nervous because you were my favorite Tiger. I asked you to sign a ball to me and was to nervous to even spell my name right to you but no worries I had another one and you were very nice and took time to sign another one and we got it worked out. Now both balls sit on my shelf in cases in my room. So thank you again for being so nice. I actually have a few questions about baseball in general as well as the steroids post.
1.) Did you enjoy playing in Ernie Shore Stadium in Winston-Salem? Personally, it is one of my most favorite parks in the minors. Its simple nothing flashy but reminded me of the old time parks and what it would be like taking a step back in time and watching the guys of the 50’s play minor league ball. This year the team is changing stadiums and names which I am not a fan of. I mean how many teams are named the Warthogs?
2.) In your years playing ball weather it be college or your time in the minors have you ever had a hitter where you speculated they were taking steroids or using a form of enhancement? If so do you feel like it hurts your development because they would have an advantage?
3.) Not gving any names, but have you been in a clubhouse where the topic of steroids has been discussed. I know there is clubhouse ettiquite that wold go against telling but figued I would ask.
4.) The MiLB has rather strong penalties against enhancement offenders. Do you support the current penalites and suspensions. Do you think they should be longer or shorter?
5.) Also the minors is somewhat known for its playing towards the fans. What has been your favorite promotion or comical act that has been at a game you have been a part of?
Well thanks for taking the time to read my post. Good luck with spring training and I hope to possible catch you in Triple-A sometime this season.
Carson
P.S. Hold That Tiger
Carson- That is awesome. I love seeing Tiger fans. I am glad I was able to get you an autograph, and even spell the name right. Doug Kingsmore was a great stadium to play in. Ok so on to your questions. 1. I did enjoy playing at Ernie Shore. It was a very nice stadium with a nice field. However, as a pitcher its dimensions were a tad small, and the ball always carried. But that is another story. The hillcats always enjoyed coming to winston salem because they actually had a mall, something that Lynchburg lacked.
2. I have never thought that, but it definitely would be an advantage in some way. 3. I have never had the converstion as to who is taking them. We have had discussions about how they affect you and what not. 4. I think that the penalties are perfect. I am pleased with all the testing and suspensions. 5. If I am not mistaken they were called the zuper stars or zupa stars. Something like that. They have clammy sosa, and a couple other characters. They were awesome. Wilmongton Blue Rocks seemed to always have great promotions. I think it is a great idea because they advertise to younger kids. Parents have to give their kids what they want, hahah.
Thanks for your post, I hope to see you there as well.
ZOOperstars! (because they’re all different animals)
They come to our local ballpark too, and are always entertaining.
http://www.zooperstars.com/