The Juice gets Named

The San Francisco Chronicle published a story naming names of who received steroids from Balco. The named includes Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Marvin Benard, Benito Santiago, and Randy Velarde.

All of them were players in the Bay Area when the received the steroids.

Additionally, Oakland Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski also was said to have received performance-enhancing drugs.

The story doesn't list the dates on which the steroids were received by the players. I'd love to cross check those dates with their career statistics before and after that date.

Let's remember that if these guys have taken steroids, all they've done is break the law. MLB has no real punishment for taking steroids. Remember that MLB wants these guys on the juice. And if they understand that it could kill them, yet they still provide entertainment, why should I care?

All entertainers enhance themselves artificially. Until they eliminate plastic surgery from Hollywood, then juice in baseball is fine by me.

Just don't expect me to shed a tear when Bonds gets diagnosed with brain cancer.

::UPDATE::
Cubs' Pundit chimes in on my statement comparing actors to athletes.

"(A)ctors don't become better actors if they get a boob job or a better looking face," he writes.

They may not become better, although making herself uglier sure made Charlize Theron better. But they do become more successful. And that's the name of the game. Jason Giambi is to first base sans-roids as Pam Anderson is to T&A TV sans-implants.

Entertainers look for an edge that will place them in the spotlight and make them more money. Athletes are entertainers.