Steroid era can't be compared to others

[Junkyard Dog]

Steroid era can't be compared to others
Former Reds slugger blasted 52 homers in 1977
By Hal McCoy

Dayton Daily News

SARASOTA, FLA . | George Foster's No. 15 Cincinnati Reds uniform is the same size it was when he wore it in the 1970s, trim and neat, sleek at the hips and broad at the shoulders.

He leaned against a batting cage on a back field of the City of Sarasota Sports Complex on Monday, a man who hit 52 home runs in 1977, still a club record and accomplished without injections, creams, salves or any other foreign substance introduced into his body.

He is the only man to hit more than 50 home runs in the 1970s and 1980s and was the 11th player to hit more than 50, "But in one year in the 1990s there were 11 guys who did it and they passed me like I was standing still," he said.

While Foster hit home runs of legendary height and distance, he knew of players who used greenies (amphetamines) and cocaine and other drugs.

"I don't know if that helped them, but it was my choice to do without having to deal with that other stuff," he said. "I didn't feel I needed that. I wanted to make sure my statistics were equal or better than those guys. Then I could say, 'I didn't need it and those guys never got the upper hand on me.' "

But the steroids are an enhancement of a different order.

"They weren't illegal at the time and it was what a player could do to get that edge," Foster said. "I'm amazed how much it improves somebody's performance. It increased hand-to-eye coordination so much that is unreal. (The playing field) isn't even anymore.

"If you compare it to my time and don't separate it, it isn't fair," Foster added. "Guys like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa passed us like we were standing still. Hitting 60 home runs or 70 home runs became easy, nothing to it. Is it that easy? Trust me, it isn't."

Eric Davis, another former Reds outfielder who hit plentiful homers and stole bases without enhancements, also is in camp as a guest instructor