Schilling calls for names to be released

Curt Schilling has suggested that the remaing names on the list of 104 players linked to steroid use in 2003 should be released.

In Schilling's blog, he spoke out against the recent reports surrounding Alex Rodriguez and his alleged steroid use in his MVP season in 2003.

"I’d be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible," Schilling said. "In my opinion, if you don’t do that, then the other 600-700 players are going to be guilty by association, forever."

The sad thing about this is that is true. As fans, whether we want to admit it or not, we view players differently once they have been linked to steroid or HGH use, no matter how miniscule the issue is, or even if it ends up being untrue. In a country where someone is supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the sad fact is that American's are quick to presume people as guilty until they are proven innocent.

However, as fans, we want to see the integrity of the game upheld, and once someone's name, especially someone like Alex Rodriguez, is released and linked to steroid use, we cringe. We begin to wonder things like "How long has he been doing it?" "Should his stats be in question now?"

But in my opinion, Schilling hit the nail on the head. Since no names have been released, it's typical for many fans to just assume the worst and say things like "every baseball player takes steroids." Now, we know that is not the case, but what we do not know is exactly who it is that has been using performance enhancing drugs.

Also a sad reality, is that when a player emerges and has a good season, the first thought that comes to many fans mind's is not "Wow, he must have worked hard this offseason to get where he's at now. He must have tremendous work ethic." Instead, fans begin to think things like "Oh, he must have taken steroids or something."

But as for me, I'm with Schilling on this one. I think the names need to be released. Let the guys that aren't playing the game correctly get called out for it, and let everyone else who plays the game right be out of the doghouse with baseball fans. It's simply not fair that guys who need to cheat to have success end up ruining the integrity of the beautiful game of baseball.

The only way to move on from what has been called the "Steroid Era" in baseball, is to release the names of those using performance enhancing drugs. Baseball simply needs it to be done. I hate it that when I watch a baseball game nowadays, or any sports show such as Sportscenter, I have to sit and hear the words "steroids," "Human Growth Hormone," or "performance enhancing drugs," until I get sick to my stomach.

It's time for the game to move on and be played like it should be played.