Commentary: Aaron way off base with steroid ramblings

So nice of Hank Aaron to favor us with his opinion that steroid-tainted players who wind up in the Baseball Hall of Fame should have asterisks placed on their plaques.

Only one problem, Hank: How in the world can you ever know for sure who used and who didn’t? And what about admitted pill-poppers like the great Mike Schmidt, who says he took amphetamines, or greenies.

You remember greenies, Hank? They were in that huge bowl in the middle of clubhouses back in the day.

If we’re going to stick asterisks on plaques, we should also affix one to Schmidt’s, because greenies, like steroids, are now banned after somebody said they were bad for the game.

So it’s not that simple, Hank. Just because one was implicated in the laugh-out-loud Mitchell Report (prepared by a Red Sox fan, let’s not forget) does not make one guilty. And just because someone skated into the Hall of Fame with no questions asked (Rickey Henderson) doesn’t make him clean.

Because he is usually so quiet and dignified and because probable steroid-user Barry Bonds broke his all-time home run record, we tend to hang on Aaron’s every word these days, looking for wisdom and guidance.

Trouble is, Aaron comes off as just another bitter old-timer. He also desires the release of the full list of those who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. As if the players should pay for their union’s failure to have those confidential results destroyed.

Aaron also wants Pete Rose reinstated. Strike three, Hank. Grab some bench.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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