Posted yesterday 2/26/13 at BaseballProspectus.com from former player Eric Knott, who had a couple of cups of coffee over an 11 year professional career, including a stint with Montreal in 2003.
I’ve read some people who have claimed that “there’s no definitive proof that Steroids help baseball players.” But I scoff at those claims; time and again we’re reading missives from former players brave enough to speak out who talk of utility infielders suddenly hitting 15 homers, and of middling relief pitchers suddenly adding 5mph to their fastballs and rocketing up the farm systems.
Knott’s article is no different. You can claim stories like his and others are just coincidence, but it doesn’t take a huge leap of faith to connect the dots between steroid use, leading to increased strength and muscle mass, leading to increased power or velocity.
Also interesting is Knott’s take on “greenies” versus his opinions on Steroid use. Clearly he differentiates between these two drugs despite both now being considered “performance enhancing.”
A good read.