Baseball and Steroids

Chairman, Trump University

Baseball season is finally here and as great as it is to have the Yankees-- and everybody else--playing again, we just can't get away from all this steroid talk.

The other day I was listening to a sports show on the radio and they were talking about Barry Bonds and steroids. The caller was very adamant that he couldn't have cared less about steroids. All he wanted was to see is the long ball, and if steroids increase the long ball, then let it be. "Who cares?" he said.

For a second, I thought he had a point. Then I began to think about it and, really, the big problem is the youth who are watching these guys hitting 60 or 70 home runs every season. The real problem with steroids is how they affect the people watching, especially young people looking to be just like their heroes, whether it's Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, or so many others.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know something is happening in baseball. For many years, a baseball player was either washed up or declining by the age of 34 or 35. Now you have players in their late 30s becoming better than they were in their 20s.

So I was thinking about this fan calling in and saying that he just wants to see the long ball. I understand his feelings. He gets caught up in the excitement of the game, and there are few things more exciting in baseball than a home run.

But he also has to remember that the youth of the country are watching. And we don't want to have our young people all doped out on steroids because their heroes make it seem like that's okay.