Interesting data was found about the Los Angeles Chargers on how they play at home and away. Data was calculated to see how many yards the Chargers got in their home and away games in the year of 2018.  It shows that the Chargers scored more yards in the home than away games.  The team scored 51,910 yards in their home games.  1,354 yards were scored in their away games.

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            The use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) has been a continuous problem in the world of sports.  The use of PEDs is mainly visible in Major League Baseball (MLB).  It not only affects the integrity of the game but the athletes who decide to use them and the competition against other athletes and teams.  It is not unheard of for PEDs to be used to improve athletic performance.  In spite of this advantage, the use of PEDs is contemplated as being dangerous to your health as well as your actions on the field.  In spite of the efforts to ban them, they have become more visible in sports.  According to the Mayo Clinic, it is important to take the time to learn what are PEDs, how they work, the possible benefits, and the risks to your health.

            PEDs are various substances that are consumed to provide an edge in athletic performance.  There are various PEDs that athletes may use.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Anabolic Steroids is a drug that helps treat low levels of testosterone and support the growth of skeletal muscle.  It may cut down on muscle damage.  Erythropoietin is a hormone that increases extra oxygen in the blood.  This will increase high impact workouts.  Diuretics are drugs that are used to lose weight and rid your body much quicker of them.  They eliminate water and salt through the urine and help athletes pass drug tests.  Dr. Jorge Trujillo is a psychiatric physician.  He stated to me in an over the phone interview that, “I became a registered nurse in 2002.  I decided to work in this field so I can help people and provide them with resources to help them get better”.  

            Even though there are advantages to taking PEDs, the risks to your health may outweigh the benefits.  Anabolic Steroids may cause hair loss, heart disease, and increased aggression.  You may develop high blood pressure and depression.  Erythropoietin may cause strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots in veins and the lungs.  Unexpected weakness may occur in the body.  Diuretics may cause dehydration, muscle cramps, and dizziness.  It can also cause joint disorders such as gout.  Nurse Beth from the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix stated “Testosterone can cause “baldness, mood changes, more aggressiveness, and muscles will get more stronger than usual”.  Using PEDs is strictly prohibited in sports.

            Christopher Lazaro is someone who has been affected by the use of PEDs.  His coach told him about the drug.  Lazaro stated he used artificial testosterone.  He said, “Honestly, I used it to get stronger and hit harder when I was playing football in high school”.  Lazaro experienced anger issues.  Lazaro said, “Taking TRT escalated and made it worse.  It got me suspended from school and I ended up going for psychiatric therapy”.  He doesn’t think it’s okay for anyone to take PEDs.  Lazaro said that “Eating healthy, surrounding myself with the right people, finding hobbies that can benefit me” has helped him stay clean.  The advice he would give people is “I would say if you’re not going to be making money and not doing a sport professionally…then I suggest not to use it”.

            According to Sports Reference, athletes are often tested twice a year for PEDs.  It usually occurs during spring training and once during the season at an unknown date.  Common tests to detect if athletes are using PEDs are urine and blood tests.  There are consequences if caught using PEDs.  For example, in the MLB, if a player tests positive the first time, they receive a 50–game suspension without pay.  If they are caught a second time, a 100–game suspension is given to them.  A lifetime ban is placed on players if they are caught a third time.

            The use of PEDs in the world of sports has become more and more common.  There is not a 100% certainty that PEDs will increase performance in athletes.  An athlete will tell you that the pressure to win is intense.  They want to satisfy individual success and seek to securing a sport on a professional team.  Even though using PEDs may have its advantages, the long-term effects have been extremely examined.  PEDs use is also prohibited in professional sports.  The Mayo Clinic states that even though an athlete may gain a competitive edge over teammates, is it worth the risk to their health.

You can call me Dodgerette. But my name is Natalie.  I’m a student at Cal State LA.  My major is Journalism. I’m interested in a career in sports broadcasting.

I became interested in sports broadcasting by watching Alanna Rizzo on Spectrum SportsNet LA.  She delivers news well and asks all the right questions to people she interviews.

I have taken classes at Cal State LA where I have written my own stories, done interviews, and some sports cast.  I have used textbooks that have given me tips on how to become a better writer and what kind of questions to ask. With over 1,900 Instagram followers and 4,000 plus Facebook friends, I use these social media sites to look for new articles, share them, and post sports photos.

I’m very passionate about baseball and other sports.  I’m a huge fan of the LA Dodgers.  I’m also a fan of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks and the Los Angeles Chargers.

My favorite shows to watch are crime drama series.  My favorite one of all time is Law and Order SVU.  I have learned a lot about different crimes that have been committed, laws, and court proceedings from watching these shows.