Baseball's new steroid policy - yea or nay?

[Carolina Red]

Violation #1 - 50 game suspension
Violation #2 - 100 game suspension
Violation #3 - lifetime ban

Now this is "three strikes you're out" right here. Baseball has never fully recovered from the 1994-95 strike, and a good reason for it is the lack of anti-steroid enforcement. I know that steroid tests can work (ask Rafael Palmiero), but it makes you wonder what would happen if this policy was made sooner. Would we have seen all those home run records get blown away? Is Barry Bonds really juiced? Is Coors Field really not as much of a hitter's park as you think?

And I do agree there is the caveat that there could be performancing-improving drugs that can sneak past steroid tests. But I would at least hope this new policy would at least deter people from it. It'll bring purity to the game. Hey, doesn't being in the same crowd with Pete Rose and much of the 1919 White Sox sound bad enough?

[EinBebop]

I'm einbebop, and I approve this policy.

[bigddan11]

I personally think enough crap is enough. It's time to get the game clean again so the fans can truly enjoy the game again. All we've heard the last few years is about temper tantrums and failed tests. It's time to get the intergrity back into the game, but I doubt the players union will let it pass. They'll probably propse a 25, 50, 100, life time deal or a 10, 25, 40, 65, 90, 100, lifetime deal.

[RayChuang]

It's very likely that this much-tougher drug-testing policy will likely include human growth hormone (HGH) in the next few years once the testing labs can do a reliable test for this substance (even the World Anti-Doping Agency--the group that does the drug testing for the Olympics and European sporting events--can't agree on how to test for illegal use of HGH yet).

[silverwings]

This was the plan that the Union proposed, IIRC.

I like it, personally. It's leniet enough to give a player a second chance, while strict enough to make them learn their lesson (50 days w/o pay? 100 days w/o pay? You'd be stupid to try steroids again..).

[FireStarterLE]

well i've heard that after two years, if a players was caught a third time, they can apply for reinstatment. So i'm not sure about that part

the rest of it is large steps in the right direction. Now to see if it actually works and what happens when a player thinks they used "arthritis cream"

[KefkaFloyd]

Testing for greenies is nice, but they're still giving guys outs by not testing for HGH. It's better than it was, for sure, but Jason Giambi will walk the streets a "clean" man until they start doing blood tests.

Is Coors Field really not as much of a hitter's park as you think?

Coors Field is the way it is because of 1. the altitude and 2. the way the park is designed so that the wind currents blow through it. Most parks usually only have the latter factor, but the higher altitude (plus the terrible Rockies pitchers) do make it a great hitter's park.

[Rurouni Kenshin]

I say its about time they started to try and stop steroid use in baseball.

[TimTwoFace]

I approve...though in the future, like, say, 10 years down the line after everyone is hopefully cleaned up, people shoould be banned IMMEDIATELY - for LIFE - if they're ever caught.

-Tim

[purplehairedwonder]

I approve. It's time to see some cleaning up in our nation's pastime so not only the fans, but the players can get back to enjoying the game the way it was originally meant to be played. These guys who are juicing really need to learn to stay away from the stuff, so a good punishment is a good step in that direction.

[Wounded_Dragon]

well i've heard that after two years, if a players was caught a third time, they can apply for reinstatment. So i'm not sure about that part
Would any team really want to bring a banned player back? They'd have to have some really devoted fans...