During the 2008 World Series, J.C. Romero appeared four times spanning 4 2/3 IP, he allowed only two hits and no earned runs and official scorers credited him for two of the Phillies’ four World Series wins.  The series began just 34 days after Romero failed his second test for a performance-enhancing drug.

Romero failed his first drug test on Aug. 26, and a second on Sept. 19, while he was making 17 tainted appearances for the Phillies during the stretch run.  He passed a third test administered before the playoffs in October.  The drug was out of his system, but not the benefits accrued.

It’s a perilous leap to claim the Phillies’ victory deserves an asterisk.  Romero is only a relief pitcher, and for most of us, ESPN had to confirm that this World Series occurred.  But, nonetheless, a key contributor to a World Series winning team failed two drugs tests within the previous two months.  Rare in our wonderful era, the Romero suspension merited more coverage and far more discussion than it received.

Even finding the asterisk discussion fatuous, we still should be asking why someone who failed one steroid test, let alone two, was allowed to pitch into the postseason?

Steroids in baseball are supposed to be kind a big deal.  With Bin Laden still at large, federal investigators comb meticulously through Barry Bonds’ trash.  Congress shuts down for a day to let Roger Clemens hang himself.  Yet, the prospect of steroids and other PEDs tainting the sport’s pinnacle interests no one?

P.S. Does Murray Chass predate the Thesaurus?