Steroid
punishments juiced up
Kim Oswell
Rafael
Palmeiro, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds
have been lumped into the steroid category,
a place no player wants to be. Palmeiro
was suspended for 10 days because of
steroid use and McGwire and Bonds have
both been suspected of using substances.
The punishment for steroid use drastically increased this week because of negotiations
between owners, players and Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. The use of performance-enhancing
drugs has increasingly become a problem in professional sports, especially
baseball.
Under the previous steroid and drug policy, a player was suspended for 10 days
for the first offense, 30 days for the second and 60 days for the third.
Selig finally got the policy he wanted passed and baseball is better off because
of it. The new agreement includes punishment for both steroid and amphetamine
use.
Regarding steroids, there is a 50-game suspension for the first offense, 100-game
suspension for the second offense and a lifetime ban for the third offense.
After the third offense, a player may apply for reinstatement after two years
and an arbitrator may review the decision.
In the old policy there was no amphetamine testing, but Selig now wants to
enforce punishment for amphetamine usage. There will be mandatory testing for
the first offense, a 25-game suspension for the second offense and an 80-game
suspension for the third offense. If a fourth offense occurs, the commissioner
must review the case with an arbitrator.
All players will be tested in spring training and at least once during the
regular season. Random testing is allowed by managers and owners whenever they
see reason.
This new policy is much harsher than the last one, but most players agree it
must be done. According to ESPN.com, baseball players, including St. Louis
Cardinal Albert Pujols, are in favor of increasing the punishment.
Steroids are not only dangerous to the health of an individual, but also to
the health of baseball.
Many have speculated about records set by players who used steroids. Should
their records still stand? Palmeiro’s
career has been worthy of a Hall of Fame nod, but will the steroid issue damage
his reputation? Who is to say all the records he set were not because he was
juiced up?
Palmeiro is only one of four players to record 3,000 hits and 500 homeruns
and on paper he is worthy of accolades. He should be allowed into the Hall
of Fame because there is no proof he was using throughout his whole career.
His statistics speak a thousand words, but his actions speak even louder and
have undoubtedly stained his image.
Players need to be held accountable for their actions and using drugs to enhance
their strength is dishonest. Selig is taking the right step with harsher consequences
and I hope the policy is strictly enforced. There is no excuse for using steroids
and the claim players “didn’t know” is a cop out.
Baseball thrives on records and statistics. Steroids clutter the magic of America’s
pastime. This policy brings new meaning to “three strikes you’re
out.”
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