Sox aid cause vs. steroids, By: Amalie Benjamin
May 25, 2006, Globe Staff
When Craig Costa went into the audience and picked up his 5-year-old, Jacob, the face of the effects of steroid use changed. It went from the still-muscle-bound but now steroid-free one of Craig, to the innocent, cherubic one of Jacob. And, in the packed Players Club at Fenway Park yesterday morning, where the educational video narrated by Curt Schilling played to about 200 people, including Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, the concept seemed -- at least from the looks on the faces of those in attendance -- to come alive.
Though Schilling did not attend the advanced screening of the 20-minute DVD, ``Steroids: True Stories" that details Costa's battle with steroid abuse and muscle dysmorphia and the story of naturally buff Northeastern freshman shot-putter Nate Hunter (read: sans steroids) -- and said he has not yet viewed the video -- the pitcher was included in the project through his involvement with baseball's committee to counter steroids, which began with his appearance at the congressional hearings before the 2005 season. A portion of the sales of the DVD also benefit Curt's Pitch for ALS.
``One of the things that I was wary of, getting involved in this, was being put on the letterhead of a committee, a piece of paper, and not doing anything," said Schilling, who filmed his introduction and voiceover during spring training. ``Things have to be done. It's a baby step, but it's something they thought was a good idea to get out there."
The DVD, which is accompanied by a booklet, is designed to be shown mostly in classroom settings, though the hosts of the events, producer Jeanne Blake and Peter Roby, the director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, made it clear that their message -- that of the dangers and debilitating effects of steroids -- needs to be disseminated in any way it can. Roby continued by emphasizing that, especially with the current climate surrounding the use of steroids, there is reason to discuss the topic starting at the lowest rungs of Little League.
Standing at the podium after the video -- which cuts between interviews with the Costa family and black-and-white dramatizations of actual events -- Costa began to tear as he thanked his family for helping him through his five years of steroid use, which ended when he was told that if he continued to use he would no longer be able to see Jacob. Not able to stomach that thought, Costa threw out his stash of steroids on Father's Day 2001. The story was emotional (something, at times, lacking in the DVD), as Costa and his family made their warning.
``Don't get started," Costa said. ``It's a hard thing to stop. And it hits not just you physically, it will hit every part of your life, whether you realize it or not. You have to prioritize. It's not about biceps and triceps, it's going to hit home. And it can really destroy your whole family."
