by Bruce Bostwick

Created on: February 24, 2008   Last Updated: May 16, 2009

The current policy in Major League Baseball is that if you are caught using drugs, it is a 50-game suspension. The second offense is right now 100-game offense and the final time would involve a lifetime ban. Should baseball consider making it even tougher than before? That would be something to explore and something to consider. So, yes they should do so and here is the proposal.

If a person fails a drug test, then they are out for the season without pay and that includes post-season as well should their respective team make it. While the message may seem clear not to get involved in the first place, it hasn't done so all the way. An added stipulation would be if you can catch anyone from cheating a test, it should result in an automatic suspension. Of course having said that, they must be subjected and mentioned on TV in that respect. Everyone does deserve a second chance so if they screw up, it should be a lifetime ban with no eligibility for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

People who go out of their way to use performance-enhancing drugs even though they know what will happen especially if getting caught should never be allowed in the first place. That is just the way it should be but there is too much of a double standard on what is okay and what isn't but again that is another matter.

Just recently, Manny Ramirez makes a complete fool out of himself for getting suspended for 50 games without pay, which isn't going to be hurting him in the wallet. It isn't like he is hurting for money but still he made a fool out of himself and the organization for doing such a thing in the first place. Now, he has to be smarter and if he gets caught again, then quite honestly it is time to really question whether he should get considered for the Hall of Fame.

In a way, it could do some good actually to make it tougher. Major League Baseball can only do so much but no matter what happens, it will never be a perfect system to begin with so that is out the window. What would be needed is go as strong as an entire season along with the post-season should their be one for the team in general.

Baseball itself will have to consider it especially if there are more guys attempting to use performance-enhancing drugs in the first place. It isn't just steroids but for anything like that in general that it should be considered. So, yes make it tougher so that the message is clear about cleaning it up and not letting it go on for much longer.

Learn more about this author, Bruce Bostwick.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.