I generally have no tolerance for opinionated old codgers that played baseball in an era I’ll sarcastically refer to as “yesteryear”. I question their motivation every time they talk about the steroids issue and what they’d suggest as a solution.
This time, it’s Hank Aaron doing the talking. While I agree completely that Pete Rose should be reinstated and made eligible for the Hall of Fame (but not eligible for a job in baseball as a coach or manager), I think releasing the list of names is irresponsible and illegal.
The Major League Baseball Players Association agreed to the 2003 survey drug testing on the grounds that any and all test results would remain confidential. It is unfortunate that leaks have exposed Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and a handful of other, less prominent players but there’s nothing that can be done to remedy that situation. However, just because 5% of the list has been leaked, it doesn’t mean that the remaining 95% of the players appearing on that list should have their rights trampled under the pretense that this will be “for the good of the game.”
The game of baseball has survived many other trials and tribulations and seems to be surviving the tremors and aftershocks of the so-called “Steroids Era” just fine. The game doesn’t need to violate an agreement between the union and management to save itself. The game – meaning, in this case, baseball’s management – should respect its agreement with the MLBPA in the same manner that it would expect the MLBPA to respect its agreement with management.
The list was supposed to be confidential. One or more individuals seem to be taking pleasure (and perhaps accepting payment or other quid pro quo favors) in exposing the 103 names on the 2003 survey one by one. This is not only wrong, it is also illegal. Instead of state and federal monies being spent on hearings and trials on individuals like Barry Bonds, Miguel Tejada and Roger Clemens, our state and federal government should go after those individuals that are leaking the names. Last I checked, it was not illegal to use steroids but it was most certainly illegal to leak grand jury testimony or evidence that was seized in a federal raid.
Enough is enough. I sincerely hope that Bud Selig, in his infinite foolishness, does not decide to name the remaining 98 or so names. That would be a flagrant breach of trust (not to mention a signed contract) and would be unforgivable.
This time, it’s Hank Aaron doing the talking. While I agree completely that Pete Rose should be reinstated and made eligible for the Hall of Fame (but not eligible for a job in baseball as a coach or manager), I think releasing the list of names is irresponsible and illegal.
The Major League Baseball Players Association agreed to the 2003 survey drug testing on the grounds that any and all test results would remain confidential. It is unfortunate that leaks have exposed Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and a handful of other, less prominent players but there’s nothing that can be done to remedy that situation. However, just because 5% of the list has been leaked, it doesn’t mean that the remaining 95% of the players appearing on that list should have their rights trampled under the pretense that this will be “for the good of the game.”
The game of baseball has survived many other trials and tribulations and seems to be surviving the tremors and aftershocks of the so-called “Steroids Era” just fine. The game doesn’t need to violate an agreement between the union and management to save itself. The game – meaning, in this case, baseball’s management – should respect its agreement with the MLBPA in the same manner that it would expect the MLBPA to respect its agreement with management.
The list was supposed to be confidential. One or more individuals seem to be taking pleasure (and perhaps accepting payment or other quid pro quo favors) in exposing the 103 names on the 2003 survey one by one. This is not only wrong, it is also illegal. Instead of state and federal monies being spent on hearings and trials on individuals like Barry Bonds, Miguel Tejada and Roger Clemens, our state and federal government should go after those individuals that are leaking the names. Last I checked, it was not illegal to use steroids but it was most certainly illegal to leak grand jury testimony or evidence that was seized in a federal raid.
Enough is enough. I sincerely hope that Bud Selig, in his infinite foolishness, does not decide to name the remaining 98 or so names. That would be a flagrant breach of trust (not to mention a signed contract) and would be unforgivable.
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