That's what Major League Baseball's steroid scandal was all

Hear the grave words of Suzanne Fields, who declared: “That’s what Major League Baseball’s steroid scandal was all about, the hidden harm in competitive sports that sends the wrong message to the young.” At first, these words speak of one scandal in one game, but in truth, they resound with the warning of ages: that when the pursuit of victory eclipses the pursuit of virtue, what seems like triumph is in fact decay. For the true danger of corruption in sports is not only in broken records or tainted championships—it is in the message it whispers to those who watch and learn, the young whose hearts are still being shaped.

The meaning of this saying rests in the dual nature of sport. On the surface, it is contest, excitement, and the measure of strength. But beneath, it is a school for life, a stage upon which character is revealed and values are taught. When heroes cheat, they do not only harm themselves—they sow seeds of mistrust and cynicism in the generations who once looked to them for guidance. Steroids and scandals stain more than uniforms; they poison the very ideals that sport was meant to uphold: fairness, discipline, and honor.

The origin of this truth can be found in the earliest competitions. The ancient Greeks, who gave us the Olympic Games, honored not only speed and strength but the purity of competition. They punished those who bribed judges or cheated in contests, erecting statues of shame near the stadium to warn future athletes. They understood that the hidden harm of dishonor reached beyond one man—it corrupted the youth and stained the city itself. Fields speaks in this same ancient wisdom: the scandal of Major League Baseball was not simply about home runs, but about what lessons were being taught by corrupted idols.

Consider the story of Lance Armstrong, once hailed as a symbol of resilience, a man who conquered both disease and the Tour de France. For years, the world admired him, and countless young athletes sought to follow his example. Yet when truth revealed that his victories had been fueled by deceit, the collapse was not only personal. Millions felt betrayed, and young cyclists who had once believed in his story learned instead that cheating could masquerade as greatness. Such stories show that the deepest wound of scandal is not the stripping of titles but the stripping of trust.

The lesson is this: greatness without virtue is a hollow crown. In every arena of life—whether on the field, in business, or in leadership—the younger generation is watching. They learn not from what we say, but from what we do. When we cheat, they inherit corruption. When we endure honestly, even in defeat, they inherit honor. Thus, the responsibility of every competitor, every leader, every elder is not only to pursue victory, but to guard the message their life sends forth.

Practical actions must follow. If you are an athlete, train hard and win if you can, but let your greatest victory be your integrity. If you are a parent or mentor, speak openly of the dangers of shortcuts and the nobility of honest effort. Celebrate not only the champions, but the steadfast, those who refuse to trade honor for advantage. And if you are young, seeking to rise in your chosen path, remember this: the road of truth is harder, but its rewards are eternal, while the road of deceit may glitter briefly before it crumbles beneath your feet.

And so, child of tomorrow, remember the wisdom of Suzanne Fields. Scandals may fade, but the lessons they carry endure. The hidden harm of dishonor is not in the moment, but in the generations it misguides. Strive therefore to live in such a way that your victories uplift, your defeats inspire, and your example lights a path worthy for the young to follow. For the true glory of sport, and of life itself, is not in the prize held aloft, but in the legacy of truth handed down.