Welcome to August's eve. This has been probably one of the worst seasons in Major League history. Only the Hall of Fame veteran's committee elected new members because of the steroid epidemic. For some reason, Craig Biggio was denied first ballot entry because of the epidemic. Few players were more deserving for first ballot entry than Biggio, and he never was remotely linked to PED usage so the reason makes no sense. Biggio played his entire career with the same team, had more than 3,000 hits and was an exceptional fielder. Maybe he would've gotten more respect if he played for a larger market team than the Astros. Regardless of the reason, this adds to the misery of the 2013 Major League Baseball season. Attendance is down at the games, wealth disparity between the large and small market teams has expanded so much that the Yankees payroll of players on the disabled list is higher than the entire Houston Astros roster. Even though the Yankees are currently languishing in 4th place, they still lead the league in attendance which says something about devotion to the team and not much else.
The defending World Series champion Giants are on pace to finish dead last in their division and perhaps have the worst record in baseball. in fact, following who will have the worst record in the league is almost more entertaining than following who's leading. 7 teams in the NL alone are on pace to have 90+ losses.
The final nail in the coffin for this season is the specter of mass suspensions (20 players, 15 known, 5 of which are current or recent Yankees) because of being linked to a Floridian clinic who specialized in PED distribution. Braun, Arod top this list. Both ex MVP players...
It's hard to imagine that just 15 years ago at this time of the season, the entire country was completely engulfed in the famed home run record chase. McGwire and Sosa's quest for 61 captured the imagination of even the most modest baseball fan. The New York Yankees amassed an incredible 125 wins against only 50 losses in route to their second World championship in three seasons. It's pleasant to think back of those days when even cars in New York City had Sosa's latest home run totals updated regularly on the back windows of cars.
If you were around for that summer, close your eyes and try to remember the thrill of those moments. Attempt to live in those moments again in your mind. Isolate those memories from all that's happened to those players and the sport. Exhilarating isn't it? Now open your eyes and look where we are now..........
True, we haven't the stigma of a pending strike to wipe out the season (1994). We haven't gambling scandals (1919,1989). No untimely player deaths (1979). No Pittsburgh drug trials (1985), But if the sport had any of those, would anyone really care anymore??? The majors is in a state of permanent national decay and I don't see any home run record chasers coming along to change that.
