It's been 368 days since Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and three other baseball players testified before Congress regarding the use of steroids in the major leagues.
Since then, a new policy regarding steroids has been instated, Palmeiro has tested positive for an illegal substance and was promptly suspended, and a new book is about to hit the shelves addressing the BALCO issue.
The book (named "Game of Shadows") states that Giants slugger Barry Bonds started taking steroids after the 1998 season in which Sosa and Mark McGwire battled for the single-season home run record.
The stats show Bonds hit a home run every 16.1 at-bats from 1986-98. From 1999-2005, that number falls to 8.5.
Many will contend that teams were pitching around Bonds and walking him more often. However, after adding Bonds' base on balls to his post-'98 at-bats, he hit a home run every 11.7 plate appearances, still 4.4 at-bats fewer.
Think what you want, but numbers don't lie, and baseball commissioner Bud Selig needs to realize this. An investigation into the situation is in order and for once in his tenure as commissioner, Selig has the opportunity to leave his mark on the game. For now, he's still the man that let the All-Star Game end in a tie.
