Breaking news: Tougher steroid penalties

This just in: The major leagues and their players reportedly have agreed on a new standard on tesing positive for steroids -- three strikes and you're out.

Highlights: 50 games for a first offence, or about a third of a season.

Second-strike offence: 100 games.

Third time offence: Lifetime ban, with the ability to petition for reinstatement after two years.

Testing and penalties for amphetamines are included under the new testing protocol, which will be twice a year (once during spring training, once during the season) plus at random intervals.

That it's a step up from the 10-day penalty that a first offence meant up until now is a given. This is exactly what baseball commissioner Bud Selig wanted, in fact. That they're finally serious about a policy with teeth is nothing but a good thing. Threats of higher penalties via congressional intervention will do that.

For a breakdown of some of the details here's a roundup over at ESPN.

Basic question: Is this enough?

Comments

[Jes Golbez]

Yes, I believe this is certainly more than enough. Being tested 'positive' already gets you severly punished in the realm of public opinion (see Rafael Palmeiro and his HoF chances dance out the window).

I just hope that 'false positives' and other issues are dealt with. It would be good for the public to know what exactly the player has tested positive for. There is a big difference between using a bit of speed and using some powerful anabolic steroids.

[Matt C.]

I think this is a perfect idea. Justified by the fact that baseball isn't even a sport anymore. Anyone who can get "Juiced" can play. Now look at what you have; players such as Jose Canseco on "The SURREAL LIFE"?

An absolute disgrace.... Baseball?
Baseball Who !?!

[cy]

What's going to be interesting out of this is how Canseco's image changes, and how the history gets written. Canseco was the outcast no one wanted to mention or listen to for the longest time. Now I wonder if his version of how many players were juicing back in the day is the one history will look at as the most realistic. The recent ESPN magazine series certainly leaned that way.