STEROIDS SHOULD BE TAGGED OUT

IF Major League Baseball were trying to illustrate the problem of steroid
use, it couldn't have sent up anyone better than Ken Caminiti.

The former National League most valuable player admitted to Sports
Illustrated that his most illustrious years in baseball were fueled by
steroids.

``I've made a ton of mistakes,'' he said. ``I don't think using steroids is
one of them.''

So, in his view, the tissue damage, depression, hormone dysfunction and
lethargy that's he's suffered, not to mention the shadow cast over his
hitting records, are an acceptable price to pay for his glory.

Such denial is baseball's problem. Sadly, the leagues are ignoring what
other professional sports seek out and ban. So a lot of baseball players --
half by Caminiti's estimate, 85 percent by ex-A's star Jose Canseco's --
have turned to steroids.

By tacitly permitting steroid misuse, baseball ensures that many fans if
not history itself will look askance at the phenomenal records being racked
up these days.

How to test the guys in the big leagues is something team owners will have
to bring up with the recalcitrant players' union at the bargaining table.

In the meantime, a disturbing message is being sent to the guys and girls
in the little leagues. Practice hard, work out, eat nutritiously -- and
sneak illegal steroids because, after all, winning and setting records are
everything. And besides, if you make it big, you'll have enough money to
care for your broken body.

Stars like Barry Bonds don't help when they give non-answers to questions
about steroid use, and when they refuse to outright condemn the practice.
In the players' selfish and destructive pursuit, they tarnish their image
and achievements, and they tarnish the game as well.