Murphy swings away at steroids in our pastime, By: David Whitley

June 24, 2007

Long ago when home runs were home runs and Barry Bonds weighed 185 pounds, an aging slugger was approached in the Braves' clubhouse with an intriguing offer.

"Murph," the guy said, "with your frame, you know how big you could be?"

He just needed to start taking the secret stuff that was starting to weasel its way into baseball. There was no telling how many more years and home runs that might lead to.  Dale Murphy considered it for about three seconds.

"It seemed wrong to me," he said.

Where have you gone, Dale Murphy? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

These days, it will find him in Alpine, Utah. Murphy is 51 and happily retired. Actually, he's a little frustrated.

He wants baseball to be clean. And according to Murphy's Law, if you think you can help, you are obligated to try.

He's pushing for baseball to rid itself of performance-enhancing drugs, even if it means a lifetime ban for one failed test. That may seem harsh coming from one of the nicest guys in baseball history. But when it comes to right and wrong, Murphy never has been one to compromise.

"The guys using this stuff are messing with the integrity of the game," he said. "I'm tired of this. Let's kick them out."

Steroids are really just a symptom of a larger problem. In our culture, it's largely OK to cheat. Students cheat on tests. Athletes cheat on their sports. Presidents cheat on their wives.

If they regret anything, it's getting caught. Murphy is addressing the root of the problem.

He's started the I Won't Cheat foundation. There's a Web site (iwontcheat.com), and youth programs are getting organized. The stated goal is to keep kids away from steroids and other drugs.

The larger goal is to instill a sense of right and wrong. In other words, don't say no to cheating because you're afraid of getting caught. Say no because it's the right thing to do.

"It will matter in your life," Murphy tells kids. "It will matter to you and the respect people give you."

What is self-respect worth? To Murphy, it's priceless, but then he always was a bit of a throwback.

He became famous as the lanky center fielder on America's Team, back when the Superstation was the country's nightly baseball outlet. Murphy won five Gold Gloves and back-to-back MVPs, but he was almost as renowned for his Mormon wholesomeness.

He picked up dinner checks for all his teammates, but he wouldn't pay for the alcohol. He advertised milk and ice cream. He once promised a disabled girl he'd hit a home run for her that day.

He hit two.

That was Murph, who seemed a lock for the Hall of Fame. But his bat failed him toward the end, and he retired with 398 home runs.

Two more and the annual vote might have turned into an annual disappointment for Murphy. Give me 398 real ones any day over whatever Bonds ends up with.

Yes, Barry never failed a drug test. That's like saying never getting a ticket proves you've never broken the speed limit.

"I hate to pile on Barry, but it's sucked the life and fun out of this home run chase," Murphy said.

He's not jealous of Bonds. He just can't help wondering what might have been.

"I retired at 37," Murphy said. "Barry hit 73 home runs at 37."

That's all right. Bonds eventually will retire with a home run record and a ticket to Cooperstown.

Murphy has retired with his self-respect.