Rick O'Brien: Fallen stars can't stop love of game

Fortunately, says Penn Charter shortstop Mark Rhine, the temptation for a high school baseball player to enhance himself through chemical means is not there.

"I've never been involved with anybody or heard of anybody at this level that has used steroids," said Rhine, a talented senior. "I think the possibility of using steroids comes into play in the college and pro ranks. In high school baseball, for the most part, you're able to stand out or excel with your natural abilities."

Rhine and other area players, such as Malvern Prep senior catcher Mike Lubanski, agree that their beloved sport received another black eye when Alex Rodriguez admitted using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003. It was revealed in a Sports Illustrated report that the New York Yankees star (then with Texas) was one of 104 players who tested positive for steroids in 2003.

"It's becoming a huge issue in baseball," said Lubanski, who last season helped Malvern Prep post a 40-3 record. "It's ruining the game's reputation. All our heroes, one by one, are going down."

For Rhine and Lubanski, both of whom will continue their careers at Wake Forest, A-Rod was a favorite player while they were growing up.

"I was always a fan of his," the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Rhine said. "When he was with the Mariners and the Rangers, he was like the new mold of shortstop. He could hit for power, drive in runs. He basically could do anything. Most shortstops are known for their defensive skills."

Said Lubanski, a 5-11, 205-pound backstop: "I grew up a huge A-Rod fan. With everything that has come out about him recently, it's upsetting and disappointing."

Mike Hickey, Malvern Prep's head baseball coach, has never had a sit-down meeting with his players to talk specifically about the dangers associated with using performance enhancers.

"I don't think I've ever said to them, 'Hey, don't use steroids,' " he said. "But we do talk about the big picture and remind them that what they do in life is not only a reflection of themselves, but also their family, school and community."

Mike Lubanski's brother, Chris, is in Arizona preparing for his sixth season in pro baseball. The 23-year-old played last season for the Omaha Royals, Kansas City's triple-A affiliate, and was a non-roster invitee to the Royals' camp this spring.

Like other minor-leaguers, Lubanski, an outfielder who went straight to the pros from Kennedy-Kenrick High in Norristown, is randomly tested for performance-enhancing drugs. Baseball began punishing players who tested positive for such substances in 2004.

"Chris and his teammates get tested a couple of times per year," said Wally Lubanski, his father. "The first infraction is a 50-game suspension."

Wally and Betsy Lubanski have three sons involved in the sport. Joe, a 6-2 sophomore at Malvern Prep, is an up-and-coming outfielder. For this family, talk of steroids, while heightened as of late by the A-Rod mess, is nothing new.

"I always tell my boys that there are no shortcuts," Wally Lubanski said. "I also say that things have a way of catching up with people. Guys like Alex Rodriguez are a prime example of that."

In the case of Rodriguez, Rhine sees it as a positive that the third baseman came forward after the positive test was revealed, volunteered more details, and answered questions.

"I watched his whole interview with Peter Gammons," Rhine said. "The good thing about it is that he seems sincere, wants to come out with the truth. I know there is some doubt out there, but I think he's being honest about everything."

Like Rhine, his future college teammate, Mike Lubanski has not written off A-Rod.

"I lost some respect for him because of what happened," he said, "but I still consider him a great player. I still think he's worthy of being elected to the Hall of Fame. That is, if he's being honest about everything and stays clean from here on out."