The misuse of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) has escalated to alarming levels, particularly in Latin America. For years, substances like Winstrol were prevalent among athletes seeking performance boosts, but now HGH has taken center stage. While these drugs may have a place in certain therapeutic contexts, administering them to young healthy athletes—children aged 12 to 14—is a disturbing trend that raises significant ethical, medical, and social concerns. It’s essential to understand that this isn't just a one-time shot; it’s a grueling, ongoing process that plays with the health and future of healthy, talented kids. The True Extent of Steroid Use The general public often fails to grasp the full scope of what it means for an athlete to be "on steroids." We're not talking about a single syringe; it involves multiple injections per day, several times per week, throughout weeks and months. There are cycles that last one month, three months, or even s
The current international signing process is plagued by unethical practices, systemic inefficiencies, and glaring disparities. Early talent commitments and the uneven distribution of signing bonuses are just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface, the landscape is further complicated by the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and HGH, the influence of financial entities, and verbal agreements that manipulate the economics of talent acquisition. The aggressive pursuit of young athletes, some as young as 11-12 years old, has turned international baseball into a high-pressure ecosystem. This raises serious concerns about the health implications of PED use in children. In Latin America, where many young players come from impoverished backgrounds, families often see baseball as a lifeline to financial stability, leading them to make sacrifices or “whatever it takes” to achieve the goal—sometimes at the expense of the child’s education or well-being. It’s common for 12-year-olds