1. Roger Clemens, MLB (1984-2007)
It is a toss up between these final three players, but Roger Clemens has topped this list mainly because he is recognised as the finest pitcher ever to play big league baseball. Roger Clemens is member of the coveted 300 win club with 354 career victories. He has a career ERA of 3.12, 4,672 strike outs, and a record 7 Cy Young honours.
Clemens was charged by the Mitchell report on steroid misuse of using anabolic steroids. He was cited 82 times in the report. His former trainer Brian McNamee claimed to have injected Clemens with winstrol during the 1998, 2000, and 2001 seasons. On February 13, 2008 Roger Clemens went in front of the Congressional Committee together with McNamee and declared under oath that he never put steroids into his body. McNamee announced the exact contrary and one of the guys was lying.
In my perspective it is apparent that Clemens has more to lose and has invented tales. He will have his day in court just like Barry Bonds and Marion Jones. Roger Clemens is one of the most known sports celebrities in the world and his choices inspire youngsters of all ages.
2. Marion Jones, U.S. Olympian
Marion Jones is a United States track standout who has won multiple medals in international competition. She earned 5 medals in the 2000 Olympic Games excelling at the 100m, 200m, and high jump. After considerable conjecture and controversy in October 2007 Jones revealed that she took anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances before the 2000 Olympics.
She was stripped of all of her medals since the year 2000, including her Olympic medals. Since high school Marion had been accused of doping directly and indirectly because of her size and ability. When she competed Marion Jones was big and she towered over her rivals. Jones admits lying to friends, reporters, and 2 grand juries about taking steroids. She was prohibited from competition for 2 years and retired on October 5, 2007. She too was arrested and handed a 6 month jail sentence which she began serving March 7, 2008 and was released September 5, 2008.
Marion Jones used to be one of the most renowned and respected American athletes. Now she is looked at as a cheat, someone who used medications to have that advantage over her rivals.
3. Alex Rodriguez, MLB (1994-Present)
Yes Alex Rodriguez is on this list to stay. Rodriguez is regarded one of the finest all around baseball players of all time. He is the youngest player to hit 500 home runs and is well on his way to become the all time home run leader by overtaking Barry Bonds. Rodriguez is a 12 time All-Star selection, has a career hitting average of .306, and has 3 MVP Awards (2003, 2005, 2007).
On February 9, 2009 Alex Rodriguez acknowledged to taking illegal anabolic steroids and performance enhancing substances throughout the 2001-2003 seasons. Major league baseball didn’t have a steroid policy in effect until the 2004 season, therefore Alex is not liable to discipline from the league. He tested positive during a 2003 league survey test in which 104 big league players tested positive for drugs. In my perspective his debate as one of the finest baseball players ever has already finished.
The Cooler, A-Fraud name him what you like. Alex Rodriguez is by far the best paid player in baseball. In December 2007 Rodriguez and the Yankees agreed to a 10 year 275 Million dollar deal. He also earns a bonus of $30 million if he smashes the all time home run record of 762.