Ep 13. The Pittsburgh Drug Trials

In the late 1980s, Pittsburgh became the center of a massive steroid trafficking scandal that rocked Major League Baseball. The Pittsburgh Drug Trials 30 for 30 Shorts episode examines the events leading up to the trials, the trials themselves, and their impact on the sport.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the role of steroids in sports, and how their use became increasingly prevalent in baseball during the 1980s. The focus then shifts to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who were a team in crisis in the mid-1980s. After being one of the best teams in baseball in the early part of the decade, the Pirates began to decline as their star players aged and left the team.

It was at this point that the team's owner, Doug Danforth, decided to take a risk in an effort to turn things around. He hired a new general manager, Syd Thrift, who was known for his unconventional methods. Thrift decided to build the team around young, talented players who hadn't yet reached their full potential. He also decided to take advantage of the fact that the Pirates played in a small market, and focus on building a team that was strong defensively and on the basepaths, rather than relying on home runs.

As the team began to improve, Thrift and the Pirates' coaching staff began to experiment with new training methods, including the use of steroids. The players were given pills and injections that they were told would help them perform better and recover more quickly. At the time, the use of steroids was not banned by baseball, and was not seen as a major issue.

However, in 1985, a small-time drug dealer named Curtis Strong was arrested on drug charges. As part of his plea deal, Strong agreed to provide information to the government about his drug trafficking activities. He named several Pittsburgh Pirates players as clients, and the investigation quickly expanded to include players from other teams as well.

The ensuing trial, known as the Pittsburgh Drug Trials, was a major moment in baseball history. Several star players, including Keith Hernandez and Dave Parker, were named as clients of the steroid dealers and were called to testify. The trial also generated a great deal of controversy, as players who had used steroids argued that they had not broken any rules, and that the drugs were not banned by baseball at the time.

Overall, The Pittsburgh Drug Trials episode of 30 for 30 Shorts is a fascinating look at one of the darkest moments in baseball history. It offers an in-depth exploration of the events leading up to the trial, as well as the trial itself and its aftermath. It also raises important questions about the role of drugs in sports, and whether players who use banned substances should be held accountable for their actions.