Home Run Derby

After what seems like the longest, coldest offseason in the history of baseball (there’s still snow on my lawn this morning) …

It’s finally here.   OPENING DAY.

Here’s a little something to get you in the mood.

Yeah.

Let’s PLAY BALL!!

Back in the mid-1980’s, thanks to a big push by First Lady Nancy Reagan, everyone was on a big “Don’t Do Drugs” kick.

Cocaine was the big scourge back then, both on the street and in MLB clubhouses.  

In 1983, the Kansas City Royals had four players sent to prison for trying to purchase Cocaine.  The 1985 Pittsburgh Drug Trials led MLB Commissioner Peter Uberroth to hand out fines or suspensions to eleven players in 1986.  It’s believed that the Hall of Fame candidacies of Tim Raines, Dave Parker and Keith Hernandez have all suffered because of their association with the trials (and drug use).

In order to help improve their image, MLB unleashed a big ol’ Anti-Drug campaign … complete with players (presumably drug-free) making Public Service Announcements telling you about the dangers of Drugs (specifically cocaine). 

Here’s four 1986 PSA’s featuring a quartet of future Hall of Famers.

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