Quote:
Originally Posted by cbrrmike
just because past players didnt have access to juice, doesnt mean they wouldnt have done it if they could, the players didnt magically have more love for the game or higher moral standards..
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I'm not saying that they wouldn't either. But back then the mind set was that extra bulk slowed you down. Players didn't train and work out like they do today to be better. So in a way, guys back then were more naturally aspired athletes. Today's players are also more motivated to play well because of free agency. How many times you hear, "He's in a contract year, so expect him to have a really good season," like guys will only play their best when they know they can make more money. The most Mickey Mantle ever made in a season was $100,000, and that was his salary from '63 - '68 when he retired. If you add up all his seasons, he made roughly $1.2 million over his career. Guys today are making more in a single season than he did his whole career.