April 6, 2009

4/6: Steroid Scandal: Fans, Public React

Fans to players: Use steroids — Forget Cooperstown

Most Americans and baseball fans in particular have a message for any ballplayer who uses steroids — you don’t belong in the Hall of Fame. 73% of the general public and 70% of those who consider themselves baseball fans say any player who uses performance-enhancing drugs should not be eligible for induction.

Table – Steroid Use and the Hall of Fame

Records Another Matter

But, people are more divided when it comes to any records a juiced up player sets. Although just 15% of both fans and the general public say the records should stand, about a third from each group say they acknowledge the record but note with an asterisk that the player used steroids. Slightly less than half of both fans and the public as a whole say players who set records while on performance enhancing drugs should be wiped from the books.

Age matters. A majority of people under 45 would like to see the records stand even if most feel a player’s steroid use should be noted. On the other hand, half of those 45 and older believe records set by players who used performance enhancing drugs should be removed.

Table – Steroid Use and Baseball Records

Ballplayers and Steroids — A Common Practice?

Americans are split over whether it’s common practice for baseball players to use steroids or not. 45% of the general public believes it’s become part of the game compared with 43% who are willing to give the players the benefit of the doubt. People under 45, however, are far more likely to think steroid use is common practice among players than their older counterparts.

Although half of all baseball fans think performance-enhancing drugs were only used by a few players, a large proportion of those who follow the game (42%) think steroid use has become part of the sport.

Table – Steroids in Baseball: A common practice?

Plenty of Blame to Go Around

Still a decided majority of both fans and the general public agree on one thing — not enough was done to prevent players from using steroids. 74% of the fans and 65% of the general public say the owners didn’t do enough to stop it. 72% of the fans and 62% of the public point to the players’ union. 70% of the fans and 63% of all Americans say the managers should have done more to prevent it. 67% of the fans and 60% of the public blame the commissioner.

Table – Owners to blame?
Table – Players’ Union to blame?
Table – Managers to blame?
Table – Commissioner of Baseball to blame?

Marist Poll Methodology