MLB Home Run Totals Down: Are New Steroid Rules to Blame?

It is common in the major leagues for players to start a new season off slowly, as they gradually work themselves into a mid-season groove. This season, however, many MLB stars are off to such a slow start that home-run totals around the league lower were lower in April than they have been since 1993. Stars like Ryan Howard, Carlos Delgado, and Alfonso Soriano were all stifled last month, with none of them hitting more than three home runs. Last season there were 20% more home runs in April, and many critics are wondering exactly what the cause in this decrease in production.

The start of the 2007 season was highlighted by a massive cold front that battered the east coast, canceling games around the league due to a weather phenomenon baseball usually avoids until late in the playoffs- snow. 22 games total in April were postponed until a later date because of torrential snowfall or high winds. "Being cold, it's tough to get warmed up. Sometimes, it's the windy days, the wind blowing in your eyes, and different kind of stuff," said Ryan Howard, who slugged 58 homers last season.

Other reasons for the slow start to the season have also been postulated- including better pitching depth on major league teams. "Maybe all the pitching's caught up to the hitting," said Oakland's Mike Piazza. Granted, it is much tougher for hitters during cold weather, considering that bat speed is decreased due to the tightness of muscles associated with chilly temperatures. It is tough to speculate as to why hitters are struggling, but one cannot avoid another issue that could be influencing performance- steroids.

Steroid usage in Major League Baseball has been a hot button issue for a couple of seasons now, and the crackdown on players for using banned substances may be leading to a decrease in big hits. There were 5386 home runs hit in the MLB last season, and this year, players are on pace to hit only 4555 homers, over 800 less than last year. Since baseball implemented its new policy on steroids in 2005, players have been suspended in droves. 111 player were suspended in just over a year, leading up to June of 2006. Hitters, pitchers, stars, and no-namers were punished (and are still being punished) for violating the rules. Retired star and former home run king Mark McGwire testified to a grand jury under oath that he did not use steroids, but his legacy is tainted because of his still-apparent use. Barry Bonds, who is pursuing the all-time home run total, is also facing accusations of using enhancing steroid creams in 2005 as well as previous seasons.

It is my opinion that because Major League Baseball is now in the national spotlight on the steroids issue, they are becoming increasingly efficient at detecting illegal substances out of necessity. Truly, no player's reputation is above the reputation of the league, and commissioner Bud Selig has realized that he must clean up the image of our national pastime. "So that there is no misunderstanding from my perspective, I will suspend any player who tests positive for an illegal steroid. There will be no exceptions. The (players) union is aware of that and they accept it," said Selig. As players begin to realize that they cannot escape the ramifications of using steroids, the usage of such substances will decline, and the game will return to the honorable sport it used to be. Home runs have been on a steady rise in the past few seasons, and this writer hopes that perhaps the suspensions and fines in the MLB will finally retard the use of steroids, and concordantly, bring down the home run totals.

"Over the past century, baseball has been part of our social fabric. It helped restore normalcy after war, provided the playing field where black athletes like Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, and inspired civic pride in communities across the country. Now America is asking baseball for integrity. An unequivocal statement against cheating. An unimpeachable policy. And a reason for all of us to have faith in the sport again."- Henry Waxman

Sources: Yahoo! Sports, mlb.com, msnbc.msn.com