Cheaters should be revealed

Maybe I’m a little inquisitive, perhaps downright nosey. But being a red-blooded American it is my belief that all of the athletes allegedly implicated in drug or steroid use should have their names disclosed to the public.

The Associated Press recently requested such a measure but was shot down by a federal magistrate who said disclosure at this time would only hamper the ongoing investigation in a number of ways. The Major League Players Association also opposed disclosure.

It’s time to quit waltzing around the issue and get down to brass tacks. Names should be named and the sooner the better. The public has a right to know as are the fans who reach in their pocket day after day to pay these players’ salaries. Cheaters are cheaters and they should be treated as such.

Support for disclosure

Dave Tomlin, Associated Press’ associate general counsel said, “We’re disappointed and not at all persuaded that disclosing names at this late date could hurt any investigation that might still be underway.”

I feel certain that Tomlin’s remarks are the same as John Q. Public’s. After all, how long has this thing been going on?

Major League baseball reportedly is not the only segment included in the probe with track and field and pro football athletes under the scope as well.

The federal magistrate who rejected the request, however, had these words to say about the probe: “When the investigation concludes, the weight of the government’s argument against disclosure will change dramatically.”

We’ve waited this long, What can a few more years hurt?

Class of ’57

There have been a great many “Glory Days” in the annals of Mercer County sports history.

Perhaps the accolades this time around goes to Sharon High School and its unscathed Battling Bengals of the Class of 1957.

This was a year to remember, not only for Sharon High fans but for the entire state. They still talk of those Sharon High teams that never lost a game or a match. Defeat was not in their vocabulary. And for those lucky enough to have lived back in that “Year of Champions” they’ll never forget it. It was the “Good Old Days” born again. Three dream teams. What a beautiful run.

Coach John Chickerneo’s football Bengals of 1956 pounded out a 10-0 record , taking along with that standard the Midwestern Athletic Conference Class AA championship.

Coach Bud Laycock and assistant and later head Tiger coach, Don Bennett, engineered the Bengals basketball team to a perfect 28-0 record, capturing the PIAA state championship.

And if that wasn’t enough the Sharon High golf team also finished undefeated. These young men all met recently in Sharon to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Hats off to a grand and glorious bunch of young men. They are all winners.