12/2/12

'The War Room' - Drugs




There are now eight players in the major leagues that have been busted for some form of illegal substances in 2012.

Now we find out that you only get a 25 game suspension for amphetamines, while steroids are still 50.

And let's not forget that you don't get suspended until your second failed test.

Question:  What changes would you demand the next time you go into a negotiation with the player's union regarding this issue?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd demand to know their suppliers and their phone numbers.

Mack Ade said...

sorry guys... I've been sleeping after working last niight

also, sorry if this seems lame a lame question today... I just couldn't deal with anything about David Wright...

look, my plan is simple...

make a list of everything you can't eat, drink, snort, or shoot in your arm

1st offense - 6 months with no pay

2nd == 2 years (basically a career ender for 50% of the athletes)

3rd offense - lifetime ban.

Period

TP said...

Mack,
Great topic - unfortunately it cannot get enough attention until they tighten the screws. I think your plan is perfect, and none of that Ryan Braun lame defense allowed either.

Mack Ade said...

I know the player's union will balk, but there's enough money here for everyone in this game to get this done...

what if the KC Chief's guy's bloodtest shows steroids or PEDs... when does it stop?

Steve Howe had 8 "lifetime" bans from baseball for cocaine... 8 lifetimes bans... really?

Reese Kaplan said...

I think you're on the right track, Mack. I think the 6 months w/o pay might make some financially precarious teams (sound like any we know?) push to get some of their players tested since they won't have to pay them if they are underperforming and overpaid. The 2 year ban would be the tough one to get passed by the union. The three strikes and you're out is consistent with both criminal policies and the game of baseball itself.

Mack Ade said...

Reese:

The player's union would defintely do some public outcry and tell the players they will work to prevent this, but again... there is so much money for everyone right now.. weed it out

John said...

Personally, I would do 81 games for first offense, which can be reduced to 50 games if they identify the dealer or supplier. The player would be subjected to tests at least once a month.

For the second offense, I would make it a full season suspension. This would be a hard limit and not able to be reduced by identifying dealer or supplier. The player would be subject to drug tests weekly.

For the third offense, I would make it a full two years. I would not worry about the drug tests for these offenders because more than likely they will be out of baseball.

Mack Ade said...

I guess this was a bad question...

Anonymous said...

I don't think many fans care at this point...

The days of 60 hrs are long gone...even 50 is pushing it.

Older pitchers aren't having resurgent second halves of their careers a la Clemens.

The days of 20 million dollar contracts to players past 35 are done.

Because testing works.

There's always a few idiots but that doesn't make for a league wide problem. There's way too much fuss over nothing about this.

In ten years, after all the steroid era players have had their shot at the hall of fame, hopefully we'll finally be done with this shit. Unfortunately, the Brauns and Melkys of the world tend to pop up regardless, so let them face the penalty and move on.

Instant replay would be a nice topic...