CLEVELAND — Major League Baseball maintains it’s illegal and wants it completely eradicated from the game, but former big league slugger David Segui insists that stance is grossly hypocritical.

Are you telling him that you can be suspended 80 games for using testosterone or another performance-enhancing drug, but it’s OK to smoke crack, do a few lines of cocaine, or take ecstasy?

Sorry, Segui doesn't buy it.

“You can smoke weed, crack, or shoot heroin and we’ll protect that guy and his right to privacy,’’ Segui told USA TODAY, “but God forbid you take something to heal or benefit your body and become a better athlete or player. Then, they portray you as taking an evil substance.

“I should have put myself in therapy and told baseball I have a disease. My disease is that I’m addicted to steroids. Then I could have had a press conference, and cried, and they could have had a GoFundMe for pitiful David.

“I don’t smoke weed, smoke crack, shoot up heroin, or take any of the street drugs, but because I used steroids, I’m demonized.’’

In 2006, Segui admitted to using human growth hormone with a prescription and said before the release of the Mitchell Report in 2007 that he had experimented with anabolic steroids.

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Segui doesn’t fault players still using PEDs, taking the chance they won’t get caught. There’s too much money to be made in today’s game. If you’re caught, you’ll lose a half-season of pay, but no more. Unless there comes a time when teams can void a contract for drug suspensions, some players believe the risk is worth the punishment.

“People talk about morality,’’ Segui said. “Well, when has morality been part of professional sports? When has morality been part of baseball? Find me the era. This doesn’t take away from the game. Tell me one sport that’s clean?

“Do I think we have a responsibility to be good humans and citizens? Absolutely. But when I die, and they say at the pearly gates that the worst thing I did was take medicine to be stronger and faster and be a better ballplayer, I like my chances.’’

It’s every player’s right to decide whether taking PEDs violates their morality. Segui said that players should not be punished for trying to recover quicker by using human growth hormone, boosting their energy by taking testosterone, or taking amphetamines for a little pick-me-up.

“I’ve been doing testosterone therapy since I’ve been playing,’’ said Segui, now 52. “And I do it now. You feel more energy. When you work out, you’ll see better results. I feel so much better. It’s awesome."

MLB, which begs to differ, couldn’t care less what you do once you’re done playing, but as long as you’re wearing a uniform, PEDs are prohibited.

Just don’t blame players for having a difference of opinion, with some still using testosterone, believing they can beat the drug-testers, who randomly test throughout the season.

“This is not baseball’s fault,’’ Segui said. “They’re doing everything they can, but it’s something that always is going to exist. You’re never going to stop it completely. Guys will always find ways and means to circumvent the system any way possible.

“It’s just the way it is.

“Come on, it’s sports, man.’’

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Bob Nightengale on Twitter @Bnightengale