I heard an ESPN analyst on the radio defending Jason Giambi. He wasn't excusing Giambi for using steroids, but he was certainly not condemning him, either. "He wasn't the only one doing it," the analyst said. Wow! I said to myself. Unbelievable! It's unfathomable that a professional analyst from a reputable company could use such an infantile excuse like, he wasn't the only one.

He added insult to injury by saying that Giambi at least had the fortitude to come forth and admit what he did. Absolute hogwash! Giambi was subpoenaed by a grand jury. He spilled the beans, because he didn't think his testimony would leave the room. When it leaked, as these things always do, he said I'm sorry about 90 times, but he never admitted to the public that he did steroids. So, he hasn't really admitted or apologized for cheating. And Jason Giambi and all the others in baseball who have taken steroids are cheaters. They are tarnishing America's great game.

This monkey see, monkey do excuse is no excuse. Giambi and the other cheaters should have any personal records expunged, and fans should not be quick to forgive them.

Finally, true, professional analysts should be ashamed for going easy on Giambi and the like. Throwing up our hands and saying, "Oh, well, it's okay, because he's not the only one doing it," is a child's excuse, and if we continue to stand for it, society will continue to accept it. Then, the Giambis of the world will keep cheating, and America's favorite pasttime will be tarnished forever.

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com