In a country where we are encouraged to be all that we can be, for some people being all that they can just isn’t enough. At least it’s not enough for them when playing by the rules.

After all, why follow the pack when you can become the alpha dog after a quick shot of steroids?

Earlier this year we learned that Major League Baseball (MLB) star Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids when the league conducted a survey during the 2003 season. That same year he won the American League (AL) home run title and was awarded the AL Most Valuable Player Award.

Granted, this is only one example of someone going outside the rules to gain an unfair advantage. This past decade has made us all aware that not everyone plays by the rules.

Not too long ago, we learned that Martha Stewart couldn’t resist a little inside information. This year we learned that Bernard Madoff, a man whose clients trusted to manage billions of dollars, was really a fraud running a Ponzi scheme.

Not to discourage anyone from striving to become the best in their profession, but do so without cutting corners. Don’t cheat your way to success.

Even though the Alex Rodriguez scandal is old news, the controversy over the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs still rages on.

Rodriguez is only one of a reportedly 104 other MLB players who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs during that same 2003 survey and more names have slowly made their way to the public.

In July, it was revealed that Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez and Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz were among the 104 players who allegedly tested positive in 2003. It’s not too surprising that they were both key contributors for the Red Sox when they won the championship in 2004 and 2007.

With these two new players added to the list, there seems to be no end in sight to MLB’s performance enhancing drugs scandal.

Unfortunately, these drugs will be around much longer than many would like. Science is constantly bringing athletes new ways to gain a competitive advantage and the demand appears as high as ever. Whether the drug is steroids, Androstenedione, or a Human Growth Hormone, performance-enhancing drugs will likely be around for a while.

While some may advocate the use of performance-enhancing drugs, arguing that the benefits far outweigh the risks, the truth of the matter is that they are still banned. Until changes are made to allow them in sports, anyone who uses them is in favor of cheating.

But, rather than choosing to undermine the rules that we have set for ourselves, we should look to be more responsible. We must be careful about the message we send when creating an unfair advantage for ourselves, because there will be consequences. So, let’s all strive to be our very best, just as long as we follow the rules.