Jeff Pearlman’s new book entitled, “The Rocket That Fell To Earth,” caused a media sensation due in part to the allegations contained in the book that the Met’s legendary player, Mike Piazza, was a steroid user. Now everyone is wondering, is Piazza a steroid user or not? In the book, Pearlman cited his sources, which included members of the media as well as baseball players, saying that it was “very evident” that Mike Piazza used. However, there was no hard proof given to determine if this allegation could possibly be true or false. In short, they were just pure hearsay, which could even be rightly called mere gossip. Still, for the sheer fact that there has to be a reason why some people suspect him of using, a lot of people are insatiably curious. For these people, it will surely be a long journey before it can be prove that Mike Piazza did use steroids.

During the witch hunt in MLB for steroid users, Mike Piazza’s name did not surface, which could likely mean that he never tested positive in steroid drug tests during and after the substance was officially banned in Major League Baseball. While this doesn’t prove his guilt, it doesn’t prove his innocence either.

One way to figure of Piazza is a user or not is for the public to get its hands on the official list of 102 players who tested positive for steroids during the 2003 steroid drug testing, which was supposed to be confidential. This test was implemented to determine just how rampant steroid use was in the MLB and if the league had to impose harsher penalties for users of performance enhancing drugs. The Players Union and the MLB each got a copy of the list of first-time positives; the names contained on that list were never revealed to the public. Only those who tested positive twice were sanctioned and revealed to the media. But it’s not that simple. The test was done in confidence with the full consent and awareness of the players, having been informed that they would be tested with no consequences.

Where is the copy now? The MLB burned their copy but the Players Union kept theirs. The copy was later on handed over to Congress during the steroid investigation in baseball. The only name that has leaked from that list, so far, is Alex Rodriguez, who earlier this year confessed to having used steroids.

A lot of people are talking about the “signs” of a steroid user: bulk, strength, and temper, and some people say that these “signs” are evident in Mike Piazza, but the only way to prove Piazza used steroids (at least for the meantime) is if his name appeared on that list. It is possible that Piazza used but stopped when he was informed that they will be tested. If this is the case and he is not included in the list, then he is safe and won’t be bothered. If a player says he used, that’s hearsay and does not prove anything.

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