With baseball finding itself stuck in the steroids muck again thanks to Barry Bonds' trial and Alex Rodriguez's admission last Monday, the sport once again finds itself trying to find the right public relations move to make it look like it cares. Bud Selig was floating around the idea of stripping the home run record from Bonds and giving it back to Hank Aaron, but even Aaron realized that was a pretty dumb idea.If you were to ask Ozzie Guillen -- actually you probably don't even have to ask him -- he'd just tell you that if baseball wants to send a real message about its anti-steroid stance, they should increase the penalties. Something like a one-year ban for anybody who tests positive.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen suggested that players who violate Major League Baseball's drug policy be suspended for one year rather than the current 50-day penalty.Now Ozzie Guillen says a lot of dumb things, but this time he may actually be on the right track. If baseball really wants to send a message then stripping people of their records or putting an asterisk next to their names in a book isn't going to do the trick.
Guillen said the tough penalties would make a statement to fans that baseball is serious about penalizing violators and said people should distance themselves from the past.
The best way to drive the point home to the players would be big-time suspensions. It wouldn't stop steroid use completely, but the idea of losing a year's service time and a paycheck would definitely make players think twice.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-15-2009 @ 8:51PM
erniner said...
So he wants this to be Thome's last year?
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2-16-2009 @ 1:33AM
kevin said...
lets hope none of he's players are using , cause then we have to listen to him bitch that the test are wrong or the punishment is to much ..
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2-16-2009 @ 11:11AM
jbgabriel said...
Ozzie Guillen's position on the steroid issue is one of integrity. A one year suspension for a first time violation sounds just about perfect. His position is much more ethical than MLBs wink and a nod attitude. Ozzie G is showing much more leadership than the current Commissioner of Baseball. Ozzie's position on steroids sets a good example for the kids who make up much of MLBs fanbase.
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2-16-2009 @ 12:56PM
tomgeorgiagolf said...
IF major league baseball has any REAL intention of dealing with and ending the steroid scandals, it will need to act with authority and toughness. This means that anyone convicted of using performance enhancing drugs be banned for life from Cooperstown; any and all records be removed; and any pension monies due that player be forfeited. With players refusing to play on a level playing field and owners demanding performances from their players that is above what the players can accomplish; and agents promising absurd amounts of money for these unreal accomplishments, someone, and in this case, Bud Selig, needs to take command of a situation that is totally out of control. Is Selig capable of doing this task? To date, he has not shown the fans any such capability - or is THIS the real reason for allowing the situation to get to the stage that it is in today? TW
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2-16-2009 @ 3:30PM
ntebrd said...
Bravo to Ozzie Guillen. I am so glad that a manager of his stature and visibility has come forth with a solid opinion.
I have to agree with Tomgeorgiagolf. Selig has proven to be a weak, ineffectual commissioner whose backbone disappeared a long time ago. Imagine how MLB would FINALLY change is players were banned from the HOF for life?
Yes...great ideas. But, I wonder if anyone will initiate this as rule and law.