Selig and the steroids problem

[mtbykr]

I moved this over from the "foulke feels strong and ready to reclaim closer role" becuase i thought it should be moved over here!

 

 

 

Originally Posted by seabeachfred

mtb, I would like your take on this drug testing controversy and Selig's reaction to it. My friend 26-6 believes Selig is doing a good job so far and this new policy will work well. I have grave doubts about anything Selig does. I really feel he wants this to go away and just let things occur as they have before. My take is that we have to crack down on these cheaters and overturn all those phony home run totals that messrs Bonds, Sosa, McGwire and Palmiero rang up with the use of the steroids.

 

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Well to get a quick answer out: I would say that Selig is doing a fair job and my vote is still out on him. I think he has wanted to do more than he has been allowed, but has not been able to because of the players union. However with that said I don't know if he wants to do something more about it because he wants a clean game or because he is now being forced to with all the stuff coming out the past few years. I think that the real problem was 10 years ago when these guys starting coming to camp looking like the hulk and no one did anything about it them. I also don't want to hear anyone give that lousy excuse of "well steroids were not an illegal substance back then"---that argument is crap. Steroids were illegal is the USA, thus that supersedes the MLB rules. I mean if Bonds freaked out and killed his mistress--that is murder and illegal in the USA, but there's probably no rule specifically about it in the MLB handbook

 

The MLB missed the boat 10 years ago, when they didn't "clean up" the sport before it got to this point. However they were reluctant to because MLB couldn't take another big hit like that right after the strike---so they looked the other way. Now it's gotten too big and they have to deal with it.

 

What it boils down to is I think Selig wants a clean game. He couldn't do anything 10 years ago for fear of another scandal right after the strike. After that they were doing well (homerun chase and all) and things spiraled out of control,,,now he has a huge mess to deal with. If they would have come down hard 10 years ago, guys would have gotten the idea and we wouldn't be here. Ultimately we need to keep the testing up with the product development. I mean they don't even take a blood sample now, which is the only way to detect HGH. (thanks MLBPA)

 

 

As far as the records go, there is no way to "asterisk" them or remove them because we can't go back and test. However Selig needs to do something before bonds goes by Ruth. I don't think he really cares about Aaron’s record, but being a racist he wants to pass Ruth!

 

Bottom line is I think Selig wants a clean game, but hasn't had the "balls" to take care of it yet---and now the MLBPA stands in the way of a lot of it. The new suspensions are great and all, but if they can't even test for the new substances---what's the point. Only the truly stupid will get caught. (*cough* palmero *cough*).

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Carry on:D