How long has there been amphetamines in baseball?

Question

And why don't we hear more about them, like we hear about steroids?

Answer 1

The 1980 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies were all prescribed amphetamines. you dont hear a lot of chat about that, do you/

Answer 2

Amphetamines were given to soldiers in WW II to keep them alert. It's generally thought that they came into baseball right after the war. They were available over the counter in the US until 1965. They can be addictive, and can cause serious health problems - perhaps worse than steroids in this respect. They probably do not enhance performance as much as steroids, though.

Answer 3

Steroids have been around just as long. Please do some research and you will see how available they have been.

You want to find players on steroids then start searching for 1945+. Horses were given steroids and some players decided to join in the fun. This is not made up but you will never hear about this because then baseball will be a lie.

They blame Barry but believe me, it started before barry was born.

Answer 4

Because the first time I knew about them was when Henry Aaron admitted to taking amphetamines in the 70's. Just like Barry Bonds and others have taken them, HGH and steroids to help their teams out.

MLB and it's brass did not make drugs illegal or did not ban them early enough. They waited until Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds made their marks in the record books, then they started their "testing program".

Answer 5

Find out how long there have been amphetamines, and you'll find your answer.
Steroids enhance performance, while amphetamines enable performance. That's the difference.
"Greenies" are talked about at length in the book "Ball Four," by Jim Bouton. It's a great read, so get a copy as soon as you can. It's also funny to read what was considered scandalous in 1970, since it is so tame compared to what has been written since then. . . .

Answer 6

They've been used in baseball since the 1940's

We don't hear about them as much as steroids because all they do is give guys energy. They don't promote cell, bone, and muscle growth like steroids. It's true they are not "good" for you, but neither is chewing tobacco or having multiple surgeries.

EDIT:
70-80% of players use amphetamines
5-20% use steroids

Answer 7

Babe Ruth took amphetamines. While there will always be many clueless people who think they have no effect on players, they surely do. Some experts have likened it to a jungle cat being zoned in on his prey. Also speeds reflexes and improves hand eye coordination which are both essential in Baseball.

Answer 8

At least 70 years, probably more.

And it's simple, because people don't like Barry. Steroids is just another excuse to hate him more. Hank Aaron took amphetamines (aka greenies) but people like him so he gets a pass I guess.

Answer 9

Just drop the amphetamines angle - we aren't dumb enough to let that crap divert us from the steroid issue! The fact is that Bonds is a big fat steroid head! The next thing you will say is that it is just as bad to eat a ham sandwich than it is to take steroids!

Answer 10

Because amphetamines are nothing! Truck drivers and many others use them all the time on long drives. It's like drinking a cup of coffee every couple of hours. Don't let the Bonds people make you lose focus of the real issue. They are the ones running around talking about people using them. They will stop at NOTHING to try and shift focus off of their boy's crimes against baseball.