Heroes and Truth

By Ken Canedo

And so, the sports media circus begins. No, not the Super Bowl hype. I'm referring to the Congressional hearings on steroids use in Major League Baseball. The story is ubiquitous, so there's no need for me to rehash it here.

Suffice it to say that last December's Mitchell Report uncovered alleged use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs by some of baseball's biggest stars. Many on this list are personal heroes of mine. It's as if Superman were accused of faking his flying power by using a jet pack. As a lifelong baseball fan, I am very disappointed.

Modern day sports has become a multimillion-dollar industry that rewards the fastest, the strongest, and the flashiest individuals. Whatever happened to the TEAM effort? What about fair play, honesty, and natural skill?

The very concept of "hero" is now as quaint as the dinosaur. Today's heroes will inevitably disappoint us because they are only human and subject to the temptations of greed, fame and glamour like everybody else.

I sincerely hope that the accused will tell the truth at the hearings so that we can all move on from this. Of course, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but false denials will only prolong the unpleasant stench that has hovered over the national pastime for way too long.

As far as heroes go, only Jesus will never disappoint. And Jesus said, "The truth will set you free!" (John 8:32)

What makes a man? What's his conception?
Don't understand all this deception.
What makes a man? What's his construction?
Don't understand all this destruction.

- Jesse Manibusan