While the hot pennant races and struggling labor talks have taken the front seat of the baseball talk these days, the reality of steroid induced players will never leave.

Jose Canseco, whether we believe him or not, has shouted that steroids have taken over the game, we will really never know. Unless players such as Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco admit the usage of not only taking pills orally and by injection, players will contine to hide their criminal guilt of maybe past usage or current use.

The harsh reality is the steroids are easily available to today’s athletes. As fans and media we cannot be naive to the underground steroid outlets that athletes have, despite the possible health side effects. You can order them through the internet, or get them through fellow athletes or trainers.

Jose Canseco wasn’t the first to use them or the last, and players we wouldn’t even be suspicious may be on them.

A nice glimpse of what has been going on behind the scenes is when former Red Sox Utility man Manny Alexander was caught with steroids in his car a few years ago. Although, Manny by no means looked like a muscular feak, he didn’t have them in his possession to do anobolic research–did he?

The fact is that, although side effects of steroids and health hazards are real, many steroid users get absolutely no side effects, except maybe some acne on their back.

So, the gamble of making millions of dollars a year, over some possible acne on their back, may be a risk athletes are willing to take.

Arnold Schwartzenegger has called a steroid called, “Dianabol”, in which you take orally, “the Breakfast of Champions.” So, when high powered action figures endorse how effective a steroid is, it seduces many athletes.

Some players may just want to do one cycle of steroids ( a series of pills and injections for a 5-12 week period) then stop after some gains are achieved–although when will enough gains be enough?

The muscular gains and performance enhancements that are caused by steroids can make a routine fly ball to left, reach the stands for a home run.

For a pitcher, and 85 mile an hour fastball, may reach 90 with some help of steroids. Although theses gains are powerful and enhance performance right now, over time it catches up to the tendons and muscles of the user. Maybe that’s why Canseco was so injury prone throughout the years.

So, will Major league Baseball test for Anobolic Steroids?

While the cost of a steroid test is $300., MLB may be pressured by government to implement, but there’s one problem.

With these millionares that are taking steroids, there are plenty of sciences and drugs to cause steroid test to be negative, even though they have used them.

So, will we ever come to the bottom of this, or should we just get use to it.

I choose the latter.