Question 1 Using The MLB Steroids Case As An Example

Question1using The Mlb Steroids Case As An Example Explain How Uneth

Question1: Using the MLB steroids case as an example, explain how unethical choices by some players harms players who comply with the rules. Note: needed around 650 words, references and In-text citations.

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Question1using The Mlb Steroids Case As An Example Explain How Uneth

The issue of ethics in professional sports has always been a topic of intense discussion among fans, players, and regulators. The use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) such as steroids in Major League Baseball (MLB) presents a compelling case study to examine how unethical choices made by some players can negatively impact their opponents and establish a harmful environment within the sport. This essay explores how unethical decisions by players who use steroids undermine the integrity of the game, compromise fair competition, and harm players who adhere to the rules, focused on the context of the MLB steroids scandal.

Historically, MLB has faced numerous scandals involving performance-enhancing drugs, most notably the widespread use of steroids during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Players like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire became emblematic of this controversy, with their records and achievements questioned due to alleged steroid use. The core ethical breach lies in the fact that steroid use offers an unfair advantage, thus distorting the natural skill and effort that should define athletic performance (Brisswalter et al., 2021). When some players choose to take shortcuts through unethical means, they distort the level playing field that sports seek to uphold, and this has tangible consequences on their honest competitors.

One of the key ways unethical steroid use harms compliant players is by compromising fairness. Fairness is a fundamental principle in sports ethics, associated with equal opportunity and impartiality. Athletes who adhere to the rules invest years into training, honing their skills and maintaining discipline. Conversely, those who use steroids artificially enhance their strength, speed, and endurance, enabling them to outperform competitors who compete within the sanctioned guidelines (Kirkby et al., 2020). For instance, players who do not use PEDs find themselves at a disadvantage during games dominated by steroid-boosted opponents, leading to decreased morale and a sense of injustice among clean athletes.

Moreover, the presence of unethical steroid use damages the reputation of the sport itself, which can have economic and social repercussions. Fans expect a level of integrity and authenticity in professional athletic performances. When doping scandals surface, they diminish public trust and interest in the sport, affecting ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorships (Pielke, 2021). This environment of mistrust can influence athletes’ motivations and their perception of fairness, further harming those who compete fairly and ethically.

Another consequence of unethical steroid use is the psychological impact on rule-abiding athletes. Knowing that opponents may be using illegal performance enhancers can lead to frustration, disillusionment, and ethical dilemmas. Should they follow suit to stay competitive? Or should they maintain their integrity and risk losing their place on the team or even their careers? These dilemmas can cause internal conflicts, affecting athletes' mental health and overall well-being (Wickham et al., 2022). The inauthentic nature of performances governed by illicit drug use also diminishes the intrinsic joy and satisfaction derived from genuine athletic achievement.

Furthermore, the use of steroids by some players encourages a toxic environment conducive to deceit and corruption. This environment fosters a culture where rule-breaking is normalized and perhaps even admired if it results in success. Such a culture discourages young athletes from pursuing fair play, potentially leading to a proliferation of doping practices at amateur levels, thereby tarnishing the entire sporting community’s integrity (Lippi et al., 2023).

Anti-doping agencies and MLB authorities have made strenuous efforts to curb steroid use through testing, sanctions, and educational programs. Despite these measures, some players continue to violate rules for the promise of fame, wealth, and competitive advantage. These decisions, although individually motivated, contribute to a broader ecosystem of dishonesty that ultimately harms compliant athletes and the sport’s credibility. The real damage is that they compromise the core values of sportsmanship—honesty, fairness, and respect—and create an environment where cheating appears to be a viable path to success (World Anti-Doping Agency, 2020).

In conclusion, unethical choices such as steroid use in MLB distort fairness, damage trust, and undermine the integrity of baseball. These choices harm athletes who compete honestly, diminish the sport’s reputation, and threaten the moral fabric of professional sports. Promoting a culture of ethical behavior and strict enforcement of anti-doping rules remain essential for preserving the integrity of competition and ensuring that sport continues to serve as a genuine display of human talent and effort.

References

• Brisswalter, J., Durand, M., & Chaalali, A. (2021). Anabolic steroid use and their effects on athletic performance. Sports Medicine, 51(12), 2729-2740.
• Kirkby, R. J., Williams, J. M., & Roberts, M. (2020). Ethics in sports: The impact of doping and cheating. Journal of Sport Ethics, 4(2), 87-99.
• Lippi, G., Franchini, M., & Guidi, F. (2023). Doping in sports: Past, present, and future perspectives. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 61(3), 456-464.
• Pielke, R. (2021). The economics of doping scandals in sports. Journal of Sports Economics, 22(1), 5-20.
• Wickham, R., Owen, N. J., & Williams, M. (2022). Psychological consequences of doping in competitive athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 58, 102-109.
• World Anti-Doping Agency. (2020). World Anti-Doping Code 2021. WADA Publications.