The Steroid Era began with millions of fans cheering monster homeruns and seeing pitchers and hitters defying age. The one hit wonders, the all stars, the superstars, and even arguably some of the most talented players in the history of the game all seemed to be using them. Then the bubble burst, and morality set in. We were betrayed by our heroes. Lied to, and we were outraged. Players were ostracized, and players who put up HOF numbers were one hit wonders on the ballot box to be left in infamy forever.

I will spare you the history. We’ve all lived through it. We still are, as a matter of fact. That was evident earlier this offseason when we hit a new low.

Witness the moment when Jhonny Peralta signed his 4-year, $53-million dollar contract with the Cardinals. Peralta was banned for 50 games last season due to PED use. He is hardly the first player to be banned for them, nor is he the only person to have prospered financially because of them. However, he is, to my knowledge, the first to prosper AFTER and in spite of the ban.

I guess the message is that in 2013 going into 2014 we care more about winning than we do about our image. We meaning: the Major League Baseball world, owners and fans. I’ve been on Facebook for years, and as a fan of both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers team pages I was able to see reactions to the ban, the reinstatement, the debate over whether or not he should be on the postseason roster, his free agency, and his signing.

Folks, we have moved into the Apathetic stage of the Steroid Era … PED malaise if you will.

Harsh words and a wet noodle slap on the wrist is all 50 games mean to a man who just made $50 million guaranteed (unless he is guilty again and then we just subtract 100 game days from his contract). As I polish my badge for the morality police; I wonder what message this sends to the kids in high school, college and the minor leaguers. What does it say to the young players around the world who are starting to see careers in baseball?

If we could put in a VHS tape of our reactions to Jose Canseco’s accusations or of our reactions to Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire captivating the world, and then proving to be all too human … How would we react had any of the steroid “monsters” signed massive contracts after being busted?

Now a few years later we see a slightly above average ball player CHEAT and then cash in for over $50 million! This begs the question: Does cheating pay? Worse, it answers it in GOLD CAPS… HELL YES!!!

P.S. … I am proud of the players who stood up and questioned this. While integrity doesn’t seem to matter as much as money; it is very nice to know that it still exists on some levels. By the way… I find it ironic that Sammy Sosa’s middle name is Peralta!