Last week, the Baseball Writers Association of America made a statement when it decided not to elect Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens or Sammy Sosa to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2013. Many baseball fans knew this time was coming, and they knew that it would create controversy.

Bonds, Clemens and Sosa are all suspected of having used steroids to either prolong their careers or improve their performance. While none of them has been proven guilty of actually using performance-enhancing drugs, they are the poster children for the so-called steroid era in baseball, which lasted from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s.

During this time, baseball fans reveled in watching Bonds hit more than 70 home runs in a season; and Sosa hit more than 60 home runs in a season ”“ three times. They watched as Clemens resurrected his career in his early 40s, pitching his way to a Cy Young Award.

Bonds finished his career as the all-time home run leader with 762 dingers. Only two other men, Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron, had ever hit more than 700 home runs. Bonds is also the only player to win the MVP Award seven times. Clemens is the only pitcher to win the Cy Young Award seven times.

A jury acquitted Clemens last year of lying to Congress and obstructing justice when faced with questions about his use of PEDs, a charge he has always denied.

Bonds was convicted on one count of obstruction of justice at his own federal perjury trial in April 2011.

Sosa showed up on a 2003 list of players who tested positive for banned drugs, but he, too, has always denied using PEDs.

Last week’s vote created a dilemma for the writers, who are supposed to vote players into the Hall of Fame based on achievement and integrity.

If these players did cheat by using PEDs, they should never be allowed into the Hall of Fame. Athletes should reach the pinnacles of their sports careers by using their natural talents and training routines. Being barred from such recognition is the price they would pay for cheating.

Those who admitted to using steroids or were found guilty of having used them should certainly be excluded from the Hall. The problem, however, is that only suspicion clouds the three notable players who were denied admittance this year. Yes, their numbers exploded in the late stages of their careers, which suggests that something was going on, but it doesn’t give definitive proof that they cheated.

And the problem goes much deeper than just these three players. While Clemens, Bonds and Sosa may have cheated, there are hundreds of other ball players who were probably cheating as well, creating a drug-enhanced era of baseball of the likes that has never been seen before ”“ or since. Other players, such as Mike Piazza and Boston’s own David Ortiz, have been suspected of using PEDs. Mark McGwire, who hit 70 home runs in 1998, admitted to being a steroid user, and has said that he has to live with the fact that he will never be elected to the Hall of Fame.

What does baseball do with this era of its game in regards to the Hall of Fame? The statistics are there and won’t be erased. Fans who watched the amazing performances will always remember them, but is it fair to allow players from this era into the Hall of Fame?

The answer is two-fold: No, it’s not fair to admit a known steroid user into the Hall, but a player who is only under suspicion, without being proven guilty, should be allowed to be admitted after consideration. Suspicion is never enough for a conviction, even in the court of public opinion.

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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Editor Al Edwards on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.