Major league Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said on Saturday that he wants to stiffen penalties for players who use PEDs (performance enhancing drugs). Selig also said he has received support from current players who want to see cheaters punished.
Although Selig is proud of recent accomplishments into removing PEDs from baseball, he said the league must still do more. He asked Rob Manfred, the MLB executive vice president of labor relations to speak to Michael Weiner, the MLB Players Association executive director to discuss harsher penalties for players using PEDs.
Currently, if a player tests positive for PEDs, he is suspended for 50 games. If he tests positive a second time, he is suspended for 100 games. After the second infraction, the player is banned for life.
The league and player’s association have agreed to unannounced in-season blood testing with testosterone readings for human growth hormone. The testing will detect use of any synthetic testosterone.
During the “Steroid Era” many players were suspected of using illegal PEDs. The fallout can be seen from the most recent Hall of Fame inductions, or lack thereof. No players from the steroid era were selected for the 2012 MLB Hall of Fame.
Controversy continues in professional baseball over who has used PEDs and who hasn’t. Several players suspected of using drugs, never failed a drug test.
More information about this story is available at MLB.com and The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Feel free to share your comments or thoughts about this article or anything else. Send your email to augustlake@fuse.net or visit my website http://www.lettersbeyondheaven.com.
Comments