In this day and age, the world of sports has been plagued by the wide spread use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs but the public’s scrutiny has varied depending on the sport.

In Major League Baseball, a new name pops onto the steroid radar almost daily. Whether the athlete has tested positive or not the public cries out for his dismissal and the removal of his achievements from the record books.

Former Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals’ star Mark McGwire never tested positive for any known steroid or performance enhancing drug during his career yet members of the media continuously try to down play his accomplishments because he admitted to using a legal supplement at the time.

San Francisco Giant and baseball legend Barry Bonds has also never tested positive for a known performance-enhancing drug but has been found guilty in the eyes of the public. Yes, Bonds has been linked to the BALCO scandal and, in the near future, evidence might come to light of his steroid use but the key word is ‘might’.

Bonds has never failed a drug test during his baseball career. So, why then are his accomplishments not celebrated?

Bonds is chasing one of the most coveted records in all of the sports, the career home run record yet hardly anyone seems to celebrate his accomplishments. Entering the 2007 MLB season he is just 21 home runs shy of Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record of 755.

So why then does it seem as though baseball is dreading the day he breaks the record? I personally am not a fan of Bonds or how he conducts himself but in America I always thought the law was ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ I guess in baseball that’s not the case.

In the National Football League, a player who tests positive for steroids or performance-enhancing drugs receives a four-game suspension. This season San Diego Charger Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman faced this suspension.

The second-year player tested positive for nandrolone, which he contends was the result of a tainted nutritional supplement. Apparently, that excuse was a good enough excuse for his adoring public and members of the media.

He was still named to his second Pro Bowl, voted on by players, coaches and fans. He is also up for defensive player of the year honors.

Should a player who has cheated really be receiving these awards and accomplishments? I might be wrong but I don’t think so.

Cheaters don’t deserve to be rewarded. The message the NFL is sending is not a positive one.

It is beyond me how the public and media members can come down so harsh on baseball players but give football players a break.

Steroids and performance enhancing drugs have no place in sports and should be scrutinized the same across the board, but only scrutinized once an athlete has failed the test.

So, Mr. Bonds good luck breaking the record but only if you truly are clean.