Flawed heroes

 Alex Rodriguez has broken Willie Mays home run record to move to #4 on the all time list. The Yankees have stated they will not pay him a six million dollar bonus because they feel his use of performance enhancing drugs destroyed the marketing possibilities. I agree that he should not receive that bonus but for a different reason. He cheated ! For me it as simple as that. The fact that he is not the only one makes no difference to me. To say, everyone was doing it, as a justification is just nonsense. As my Dad would have said, if everyone jumped off the bridge would you do that too ? The logic that everyone does it is flawed logic. And for the record I would never allow Pete Rose in the hall of fame either.

 I can't help but think what a shame this is. I have written about heroes before. What heroes do the children have now ? The ball players are investigated for drug use. The musicians use drugs. Our religious leaders are being attacked. The president, whether you like his politics or not, is constantly besmirched in the media. The police are portrayed as the " bad " guys and not to be trusted. The schools are full of bullies and the teachers are being questioned. Where are they to turn ? Our service members are looked down upon as either uneducated or baby killers. 

 When I was growing up, we had heroes. Were those people without faults ? Of course not, but we didn't know that. Even in the case of fictional characters their faults were not shown. John Wayne never cheated. The Lone Ranger did what he did because it was the right thing to do. Father knew best, and Leave it to Beaver to do the right thing in the end. Our stories had morals to them. Morals were taught as ideals and to be emulated. Excuses were not tolerated, nor forgiven. Dad would say, " this is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you. " I knew exactly what he meant, he was disappointed in my actions but punishment was forthcoming. Just getting caught and admitting to the action did not justify that action,even if the whole world was doing it ! 

 In 1973 Willie Mays played his last game. He is still known as the say hay kid. An icon of baseball noted for his fielding and hitting. That happened forty one years ago. What will people say about Alex forty one years from now ? That he cheated. It is that simple. There will be an asterisk by his name that will forever taint that accomplishment. There will always be a But. What a shame. Can Alex ever achieve hero status ? Not in my book he can't. Were heroes manufactured back in the day ? The argument could be made that indeed they were. The omission of certain facts and details in their lives kept that image alive. Was it a bad thing, a deception ? No, I don't think it was. Children are dreamers and need dreams. If those heroes of old provided that dream. that inspiration, what was wrong with that ? We all grew up to understand that man has weaknesses. We all grew up to also understand that shouldn't prevent you for attempting to live that dream. Cheaters never win. That is what needs to be the lesson in all of this. In the end it doesn't matter how much money or fame you have if you don't have integrity. The heroes of old went on a handshake and their word. It was enough.