CTC

Physiologically, I think that is exactly the reason steroids may cause back problems.

It's not the steroids themselves; it's the mass being added onto a structure not ready to handle it. And, of course, this weakness is exacerbated by the unnatural demands put on a body by swinging a bat.

But then I truly have no idea whether Dykstra and/or Johnson used steroids. Nor do I care. It's just that it's always been very interesting to me (in light of the steroid controversy) that Johnson went from hitting 10 to 36 home runs and Dykstra from 6 to 19. Johnson went on to have five productive years, but played his final game before his 35th birthday, Dykstra never approached his homer total again and within three years had to retire prematurely also.