Steroid penalties not severe enough
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Steroid penalties not severe enough
Andy Martino
You know what’s way more important than the silly marketing campaign to elect All-Stars, or trade rumors? Performance-enhancing drugs, both as an issue of public health and competitive integrity.
If the Manny Ramirez circus has proven anything this season, it is that penalties for steroid use are not nearly severe enough. The guy cheats his way to a big contract, then is cheered in every rehab start and upon his return to the Dodgers. Fox showed a troubling lack of judgement by treating his at-bats Saturday as news events, showing him on a split screen. You know what I’m thinking if I’m Manny? That was worth it.
Yet, the AP reports that MLB chafed at legitimate criticism of its program. I thought I’d pass this story along, for those who might be looking for a brief change of pace from the topics du jour, and something else to think about.
Of course, the Roy Halladay drama is also quite intruiging and real, so click here for the post on Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi. And take a nap until 4pm, when this whole ad campaign will be over and, thank goodness, we will never have to hear the phrase "Bran Torino" again.
Comments (22)
Andy, you should do this type of thing more often which shows your true personality. I think to myself as I read sometimes that you and Murph write about the same thing too often. This is a good way to add something and not rehash the same stuff over and over and over on a slow news day.
Actually, you cannot justifiably increase penalties for performance enhancing drugs until everyone who has done them is outed. It was ridiculous that A-Rod's name was leaked when there are over 100 other names on that list. Once there is full disclosure, then you can institute onerous penalties on anyone who is caught going forward. At this point, the fans simply expect that anyone could be a user and they don't really care. Look at the enduring love in this town for the roided up '93 Phils and the greenied up '80 Phils.— Palestra Jon- I really don't care if players use steroids. From a health standpoint, it's unhealthy but it's their business. I just hate the Bud Selig-glossy "We had no idea in 1998!" spin campaign. Instead, return the pitcher's mound to pre-1968 15-inches and push the outfield walls back to where they used to be. Shibe Park in 1950 was 447 to center field.— smel4727
- I agree that 50 games is not enough. A season-long suspension for the first positive test. And players should not be able to play in the minors as their 50 game MLB nears an end. They should be able to start their minor league assignment once the 50 MLB games expire and no earlier— celtic_13
- Why should MLB have a stricter standard than any other professional sport? In the NFL, you get four games for the first violation even if you've tested postitive for cocaine... 25% of their season. MLB sends you to the clubhouse for over 30% of the season. Where is the outrage over the NFL's weak punishment system? Hypocrites.— danielswolf
- My solution: if you test positive, then your current contract and every contract thereafter becomes non-guaranteed. They can still earn a living, but they give up security.— fly eagles fly
- Andy, thanks for the comments on the Manny /split screen. It was ridiculous on so many levels. As long as all the people who make money off these guys turn a blind eye, the players will continue to find ways to circumvent the system.— oldecityslicker
- Good post, Andy. But what has me upset at this moment is an article I just read that says Amaro is negotiating with Pedro Martinez's agent. To paraphrase Cheech & Chong--are you out of your @#$%^&*()_ MIND???????— Lako
- Castration would work. End of story.— mick314
- Make it like other sports like cycling. If you fail one time, you get a 2 year ban. Put the same rule in place for all the sports - I don't care. I doubt that Manny or anyone else would think it was worth it then.— catnameddomino
- I think two years is too severe for a first offense- if you want to increase it, make it 80 games for the first and 1 calendar year for the second. I also agree, no minor league games until the suspension is over- this isn't like rehabbing from an injury.— KMG
- I'm with smel4727, atheletes have cheated since a the dawn of time. I'm still not sure that stroids have really enhanced a ball players ability to compete - help recover/prevent injuries maybe - but most of the increased power numbers have come from smaller hitter friendly ballparks and overall lousy pitching staffs.....— mrdip
- My suggestion on penalty, keep the current system!! However, ban all guilty parties from ALL all-star games and post-season awards for THREE YEARS. Therefore, Manny wouldn't be eligible to be on the all-star ballot or participate in its activities, and he wouldn't be eligible for MVP and other awards for 2009, 2010 and 2011.— PSU DEJA BLUE
- steroids arent dangerous if you take them properly...and you seriously want romero out 162 games for what he did? are you insane?
- Criticism of drug policy from WADA is like criticism of communists from Joe McCarthy. And forget the 162 games scenario, JimEisenreich - a truly punitive system (like WADA prefers in bicycling and Olympics) would vacate the Phillies' world championship entirely - perhaps with good reason, because if you truly believe this stuff affects competitive balance seriously. Because it's a fact that JC Romero benefited from a PED, regardless of his intent. I happen to not believe that myself - you certainly can't convince me Manny Rodriguez isn't as good a hitter as there is with or without fertility drugs - so I'll continue to enjoy the championship - and continue to enjoy watching Chase Utley do commercials for a supplement that, while 100% on the up-and-up, is still part of the same impulse and same subculture that burned JC.— jason14
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