The Game in the Shadows rough draft

Aaron Rodriguez

Calver

American Literature: Period 5

May 12, 2014

The Game in the Shadows

“Some who were close to him thought his drive to be acknowledged as the premier flowed from an intense sense of rivalry with his father, a baseball player whom Bonds seemed to emulate and resent in equal measure. Indeed, many of the quirks in Bonds’ complicated personality-including the impulse that led him to use banned drugs that would transform him” (Fainaru-Wada and Williams 24).  Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, two writers for the San Francisco Chronicle wrote an investigative narrative, Game of Shadows, on the case of Barry Bonds and the upbringings BALCO. BALCO is a nutrition company who was founded by Victor Conte. Victor Conte was a self-proclaimed nutrition expert who convinced athletes into taking steroids and other performance enhancing drugs without any concrete evidence on the effects of the drugs. In the book the authors focus on the case of Barry Bonds and how Conte got his claim to fame. Conte was a former musician who saw a business in tricking athletes into believing they needed his help and injecting them with steroids. Conte had many famous athletes buy into his concept the one highlighted in this book is Barry Bonds. Barry Bonds was a former baseball player and son of a legendary ball player in San Francisco. At the time Bonds was an all-star player but wanted to be elite, he turned to performance enhancing drugs and this got him the fame he wanted but this decision later gave him a plethora of trouble. The case of Barry Bonds is one of many cases in the history of sports where athletes have been caught cheating. This incident however, is one of the most recent reported incidents of cheating. The trend of the modern athletes who cheat is the use of performance enhancing drugs. PED’s is the current form of cheating, but cheating in sports has been around since the beginning.  The first known evidence of cheating has been recorded as early as the Greek and the Roman eras. Greeks and Romans used various drugs and intimidations through convincing people they were cursed or threatening athletes and their families. Drugs where another way ancient athletes cheated during the era. Drugs that were used were similar to the performance enhancers used in the modern era but did not enhance performance as much as the drugs of today. These efforts on cheating weren’t only because of personal decisions and ambitions but outside influences also took part in the decision making of cheating. These outside influence include parents, coaches and the media. Athletes are held to a different standard to the public. Athletes are role models, spokespeople and idols. With all these expectations on one person by so many, performance enhancers have become a way to gain instant fame, to maintain the fame, and to legitimatize ones self.  In Game of Shadows by Mark Fainaru and Lance Williams illustrate how performance enhancing drug uses in sports have been caused by social pressures and how cheating has evolved into the science of gene therapy and concoctions of multiple performance enhancing drugs.

  The use of performance-enhancing drugs is the current form of cheating. However, cheating has been around since ancient times. David Potter a writer for the CNN website talks about the history of cheating in the Olympics. Potter states that the earliest form of cheating was performance suppression.

“Some forms of performance suppression were more effective than others. The most colorful was to place a curse on an athlete so he would not do his best (or the gods of the underworld would drive him mad). This often involved the burial of a lead tablet containing the curse in some place that mattered -- ancient racing venues have produced a fair number of these items” (Potter).

David Potter states how in ancient time cheating was done through performance suppression. Athletes were convinced they were cursed and would perform worse because their mental game was tarnished. However, in this era this was not the only form of cheating. Steven Kolter a writer from Popular Science, a magazine that reports technology, science, gadgets, space and green tech addresses the early uses of drugs in sports. “From Roman gladiators hopped up on herbal stimulants to distance runners downing brandy-and-strychnine cocktails (a combination that helped American Tom Hicks win the 1904 Olympic marathon)” (Kolter). Steven’s article excerpt informs readers that cheating with drugs in sports has gone on since the beginning of sports itself. The earliest forms of drug use in sports were herbal stimulants which would increase the pain threshold of the gladiators and they would continue to fight instead of replying to the cuts and bruises given by opponents. In the early 1900’s forms of cheating evolved into buyoffs. In the 1919 World Series Espn.com reports that the game was rigged in many ways such as corked bats, loaded balls and payoffs.

“Corked bats -- hey, the batter still has to make contact. Loaded balls -- the pitcher still has to get the ball in the strike zone or get the batter to swing. There is a certain amount of skill involved in all those cheating practices.But the 1919 mob buyoff -- that is just reprehensible in every way shape and form. None of the cheaters you mentioned are banned forever from baseball -- the 1919 Black Sox have several people who will forever be remembered as just what they were ... cheaters” (Espn.com).

Espn.com states how cheating has change and how in the 1919 World Series the equipment was rigged and athletes were paid off.  The form of cheating has changed from convincing people they were cursed and using herbal stimulants to perform better as was done in the ancient times to rigging equipment to perform better and throwing games for payoffs. This form of cheating became popular because beneficiaries would bet on games they rigged and were paid an abundance of money. Officials caught onto this trend and used it to get money on the side the most infamous incident was of Tim Donaghy.

“ We only need to consider National Basketball Association (NBA) referee Tim Donaghy when asking whether another gambling scandal can hit college football or basketball . Donaghy had refereed in the NBA for thirteen seasons and was earning $250,000 a year. Yet as part of a broader investigation into organized crime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stumbled onto Donaghy’s gambling-related debts, as a consequence of which he was sharing information with gamblers. He was ultimately convicted of passing inside information with gamblers. He was ultimately convicted of passing inside information involving two games (though there were undoubtedly many more) during the 2006-7 NBA season, required to pay $30,000 in reinstitution, fined $500,000 and sentenced to fifteen months in prison. Unknown is how much money other individuals, including organized crime figures, made by tapping into Donaghy’s insider knowledge. The question, then is not whether another gambling scandal will hit college football or basketball but rather when” (Figone xv).

Figone reports how referees would call games unfairly on games they bet on. Referees would also sell inside knowledge to people to get more money. This incident was a new form of cheating where the officials of the game rigged the game to gain money. The cheating of buyoffs was an effective way to gain extra money. However, athletes want to be great and getting extra money did not help them do that. Athletes who could not be great on their own turned to performance enhancing drugs. Performance-enhancing drugs was first used by body builders to increase strength and later moved into other sports such as football, basketball and baseball.  Judy Monroe a young adult book writer reports that weight lifters in Vienna used steroids to increase performance efficiency. “In 1954, reports of steroids used by athletes in sport hit the news-world weight-lifting champions in Vienna Austria” (Monroe 16). The use of steroids was introduced to the sporting world in Vienna. The weight-lifters in Vienna were the first athletes to use steroids in competitive sports. The use of steroids was not used in televised sports however till the 1970’s. The East German Olympians were the first athletes to use performance enhancing drugs in televised sports. “East German researchers developed androstenedione in the 1970’s. They used substance to try to improve the performance of their Olympic swimmers and other athletes” (Monroe 26). Monroe reports in Steroids Sports and Body Image that 20 years later steroids hit baseball “ By the Mid- 1992, andro had hit the United States market, but sales were slow That changed in 1998 when steroidal supplements jumped into the media spotlight. That year , St. Louis Cardinals baseball player Mark Mcgwire successfully broke Roger Maris’s home-run record by hitting seventy home runs. He told reporters that he use the steroidal supplement androstenedione. After that, an andro craze developed in the United States (Monroe 26). Monroe reports how androstenedione had went down in profit. This was changed when baseball superstar Mark McGwire used their product. McGwire’s home run production went up and this circumstance popularized the use of PED’s in professional sports.

Social pressures influence athletes into taking performance-enhancing drugs. The constant examination of athlete’s lives puts an excess amount of pressure on the daily decisions that are carelessly made by others. Athletes of the modern era have been put in a new standard because of their impact on many peoples lives. The influences of athletes are felt in many aspects of political, economical and social issues. With all this pressure on athletes in their social lives they become distracted and lose focus on their careers. In order for some athletes to perform at the highest level they turn to performance-enhancing drugs to keep their skills sharp. Laura Egendorf, a young adult book writer, writes about adolescent issues that state how athletes are the apex of the social pyramid.

 “Few people are more admired in today’s society than successful athletes. Adolescent’s view them as role models, adults clamor for their autographs and companies seek them out to endorse products” (Egendorf 8). Egendorf states that athletes are the pinnacle of social status in America. Adolescent and adults wish to acquire the qualities of athletes, and companies want them to endorse their products. With all the commotion over this elite group of people, athletes must sustain an extraordinary status all the time. In order for some athletes to maintain this status day in and day out during performance they turn to PED’s to maintain elite athletic ability. Egendorf later states how athletes are perceived as perfect by the public as perfect human beings. Egendeorf clarifies to readers that this is untrue, athletes are just regular humans who make mistakes and the public should not hold the accountable for raising their children. “Athletes have enough trouble taking care of themselves. It would be great if they led perfect lives that we could hold up as shining examples for our kid, but that’s not the way it works for anyone in the real world” (Egendorf 41). Egendorf’s statement informs readers that athletes are only human. They make mistakes even though the public thinks they do not and are shocked when they do. Kids hope to be like their favorite athletes and parents influence their kid to be like athletes. This adds pressure to athletes to not only perform well in their sport but also be exemplary citizens.  Athletes are expected to be above the general population in every aspect of excellence. With the pressure on athletes social lives to be perfect to avoid criticism from the public athletes get distracted from perfecting their craft this adds a lot of pressure on their athletic performance. This pressure on athletes influences their decision to take performance enhancing drugs. These pressure of the outside come onto the field as well with thousands of fans in a stadium and millions watching world-wide athletes are under immense pressures to be the best. Even when the game seems meaningless statistically and will not benefit them in any way athletes push to be the best. Drew Marina a Marlins pitcher states in Kirk Radmski and David Fisher’s book Bases Loaded. “I knew it was a meaningless game, but I’m a very competitive person. Whatever I do, I push myself to do it as well as possible. I don’t like failing at anything” (Radmoski and Fisher 2). With the mentality of “win at all costs” athletes push past their limits to win games. Athletes are very competitive people and are always looking for the edge on their opponents. The modern era of “the edge” is performance enhancing drugs. Athletes are willing to take PED’s to perform better than their opponents this is the current form of cheating however cheating has been around since the begging of sports. Athletes endure social pressures which encourage them to cheat and use performance-enhancing drugs. In the past forms of cheating were performance suppression and herbal medicines. Today athletes use performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids. The social pressures endured by athletes of the modern era influence them to use performance-enhancing drugs to get ahead of competitors and achieve eternal glory in the eyes of the public. Cheating in sports has been around since sports have begun. There have been many forms in sports history. The earliest forms of cheating were performance suppression and herbal drugs. Today concoctions of drugs are injected into athletes to increase naturally made hormones to increase athletic ability.  Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams state how Barry Bonds benefited from his regiment of drug use.

“But with HGH, Bonds remained buff and more energized to train, and touching his bicep was like touching an oak table, And yet, he felt more flexible, There was an added benefit to the new drug regimen: Bonds stopped complaining about his eyes. Although medical experts say there’s no scientific basis to the claim” ( Fainaru-Wada and Williams 75).

This observation made by the author’s state how the regimen of drugs benefited Barry Bonds. Bonds gained muscle mass while maintaining flexibility. Bonds also claimed that his vision had also improved. Experts say that there is no scientific evidence to Bonds’ claim. The uses of these drugs happen because of jealousy and social pressure.

During a three game series between the Cardinals and the Giants Fainaru-Wada and Williams describe the reaction by Bonds when ropes were put up during McGwire’s batting practice. “Bonds had never seen the ropes on the field before. ‘What the fuck is this?’ he demanded of the security guards. They told him the ropes were for Mcgwire. Furious, Bonds began knocking the ropes down ‘Not in my House’ Bonds told them” ( Fainaru-Wada and Williams 74).

The incident between McGwire and Bonds was a result of extra attention that McGwire was receiving. Bonds knew that McGwire was using steroids so this extra attention to him may have influenced Bonds into using the same drugs to receive attention. Athletes have always been looking for the edge over their competitors. The use of drugs gives an easy way to gain that edge. In an era where sports can open so many opportunities, athletes are willing to take the risk when they can gain so much. Figone writer of Cheating the Spread questions the philosophy of coaches that they preach to their athletes.

“The questions could be answered by invoking a dictum used by many coaches ‘It’s okay to cheat until you get caught’ The implication here is that an athletic program has a unique role in college and that whatever practices it employs are acceptable because the institutions benefit from the ‘cheating axiom’” (Figone xi-xii).

Athletes of today are taught that cheating is okay as long as you do not get caught. This philosophy is taught because cheating has been around since the beginning of sports and is looked at as gaining the edge. However, the consequences of cheating could be disastrous especially with the modern use of performance-enhancing drugs. 

Works Cited

BISSINGER, BUZZ. "WINNING. (Cover Story)." Newsweek 160.10 (2012): 26-33. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Apr. 2014.

"Cheating is as old as the Olympics." http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/29/opinion/
     potter-olympics-cheating/. David Potter, 29 July 2012. Web. 26 Mar.
     2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/29/opinion/
     potter-olympics-cheating/>.

Dan DeIuliis & David DeIuliis, Mar. 2012. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
     <http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jsas/6776111.0004.102/
     --under-mounting-pressure-a-history-of-media-influence?rgn=main;view=fulltext>.

Duncan, David Ewing. "The Cyborg Olympic Games." Newsweek Global 162.8 (2014): 110-114. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.

"Eating Disorders in Athletics: Pressure from Parents, Coaches and Appearance
     Expectations Play Role Read more: http://www.momsteam.com/nutrition/
     eating-disorders-in-athletics-external-pressures-and-societal-expectations-play-l
     arge-role#ixzz2x6d4TN3p." http://www.momsteam.com/nutrition/
     eating-disorders-in-athletics-external-pressures-and-societal-expectations-play-l
     arge-role. BEVERLY L. STILES, 1 Nov. 2008. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
     <http://www.biomedsearch.com/article/
     Relationships-Among-Body-Satisfaction-Social/77384743.html>.

Egendorf,Laura,Performance Enhancing Drugs. San Diego Ca, Reference Point Press, 2007. Print.

Egendorf,Laura,Steroids.Detroit,Greenhaven press,2006.Print.

Failure’ and ‘Disappointment’: have we lost perspective? Grace May,
     1 Aug. 2012. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. <http://www.mamamia.com.au/news/
     media-pressure-olympic-athletes/>.

Fainaru-Wada, Mark and Lance Williams, Game of Shadows.375 Hudson Street NY:       Penguin Group Inc., 2006. Print.

GILLIS, CHARLIE. "How To Build A Better Athlete."Maclean's 126.41 (2013): 55-57.Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Apr. 2014

Haerens,Margret and Lynn M. Zott Professional Athletes, 27500 Drake Rd. Farmington Hills, MI, Greenhaven Press; 2014, Print.

Kotler, Steven. "Juicing 3.0." Popular Science 273.2 (2008): 38-41. Health Source -           Consumer Edition. Web. 3 Apr. 2014.

Landis Floyd,Loren Mooney, Positively False, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, New York,2007.Print.

Elliot, Diane L., et al. "Definition And Outcome Of A Curriculum To Prevent Disordered Eating And Body-Shaping Drug Use." Journal Of School Health 76.2 (2006): 67-73. ERIC. Web. 3 Apr. 2014.

LaFee, Scott. "Steroids: To Test Or To Educate?." School Administrator 63.6 (2006): 47. ERIC. Web. 3 Apr. 2014.

Pressure and the pro: Why do so many of our top athletes suffer from stress?
     N.p., 19 Nov. 2006. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. <http://www.independent.co.uk/
     life-style/health-and-families/health-news/
     pressure-and-the-pro-why-do-so-many-of-our-top-athletes-suffer-from-stress-424937   .html>.

McEvoy, Dermot. "The Wrongs Of Spring." Publishers Weekly 256.10 (2009): 20-23. Literary Reference Center. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.

Monroe,Judy.Steroids,Sports,and Body Image. Berkley Heights New Jersey: Enslow        Publishers,Inc.,2004. Print.

Monroe,Judy,Steroid Drug Dangers,Springfield New Jersey, Enslow Publisher,1999.Print.

"Point-Counterpoint: Should Performance-Enhancing Drugs Be Banned in Sport?"
     http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih9/bioethics/guide/teacher/
     Mod1_drug-sport-ethics.pdf. Thomas H. Murray, 16 Feb. 2009. Web. 26 Mar.
     2014. <http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih9/bioethics/guide/
     teacher/Mod1_drug-sport-ethics.pdf>.

PIORE, ADAM. "CHEMISTS IN THE SHADOWS. (Cover Story)." Discover 33.2 (2012):

"Readers: Biggest cheaters in baseball." http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/ 
     readers/baseball/cheaters.html. ESPN, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.

Socher, Abraham. "No Game For Old Men." Commentary 125.3 (2008): 55-58. Literary Reference Center. Web. 2 Apr. 2014.

Suggs, Welch. "Deadly Fuel." Chronicle Of Higher Education 49.27 (2003): A36-A38. ERIC. Web. 3 Apr. 2014.

The Wide World of Sports Cheating. Jeffrey Katz, 15 Jan. 2008. Web. 26 Mar.
     2014. <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/
     story.php?storyId=14428316>.

UNDER PRESSURE. N.p., 11 June 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
     <http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/50291646/>.

Walker,Ida,Steroids Pumped Up and Dangerous,Bromal Pennsylvania, Mason Crest Publishers,2008.Print.