Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Homer Bailey got a lesson in major league baseball tonight. He was rocked in Philly. The phenom only made it through two outs into the second inning, allowing six runs in the process.

This shouldn't be a shock to anyone. Every great pitcher, early in his career, has growing pains. Whether or not Bailey becomes a great pitcher will be determined in the next few years. But what happened to him in Philadelphia tonight, shouldn't do any long term damage. If he's what we think he is, it will probably make him determined to atone, his next time out.

The Mitchell Commission may or may not get to the names of the stars involved in steroid abuse in major league baseball. It may be nothing more than just a ceremonial group, designed to appease the fans, maybe the US Congress. But if it does nothing more than just expose the use of that drug, it will have served its purpose. Look no further than suburban Georgia to see why the side effects of steroids may be so lethal.

Police are just finishing up their investigation into the double murder-suicide of professional wrister, Chris Benoit and his family. Investigators are now saying that Benoit strangled his wife, then suffocated his son and then killed himself using a pulley from a weight machine in his home. Steroids were found, when investigators began their search of the house.

Whether or not 'roid rage' is to blame for this horrific event is something that a coroner will have to determine. But clearly, steroid abuse has sent many professional wresters to an early grave. Eddie Guerrero, Curt Henning, Davey Boy Smith all pro wrestlers, all died early and in their wake, friends and family blamed steroid use (abuse?) for their deaths.

Steroids are a real problem for some professional athletes. But the real concern is how steroid use (abuse?) is becoming a problem with high school athletes. Some states, including New Jersey, have begun mandatory testing of high school athletes to determine whether or not they're taking these illegal drugs. Is it too young to start? Is 43 too young to die? That's how old Benoit was.

Just posted on my web site www.kenbroo.com is the latest "Broo View Podcast" Just go to the "Podcast and More" section to download it and check it out. I've got some comments from the new head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, Billy Gillespie.