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After another ugly year for MLB in the PED department, Ryne Sandberg has seen enough. The newly promoted Philadelphia Phillies manager recently had this to say on the black cloud that continues to hang over the game of baseball:
“The message can’t get much clearer that drugs don’t belong in baseball and don’t belong in sports. Every time baseball takes a hit, it is another step backwards in what needs to be done. I personally think the punishment and penalties need to be much stiffer than that. If you have a guy who tests positive and he has to sit out two to three years, that is a little different ballgame.”
Well said, Ryno. Well said.
The Hall of Fame second baseman is right on the money with these comments. The punishments for using PEDs have to get more strict or nothing is going to change. The way things are currently set up, the rewards of using PEDs greatly outweigh the risks. Guys can juice their way to long-term lucrative deals without fear of major ramifications. First time offenders are only given 50-game bans in the current system and that’s just not enough to deter players trying to make it big.
MLB has to start significantly altering the careers of those who cheat. It’s that simple. The current punishments just don’t send a loud enough message. The message needs to be – if you use PEDs, you don’t play baseball and therefore you don’t get paid. I’d be all for a one-year ban for first-time users. I believe players should get a second chance if they test positive, but if they fail another test, it should result in a lifetime ban. No more three strikes and you’re out. It’s time to start bringing the hammer down sooner on the weasels giving baseball a bad name.
Related:
When Will Other MLB PED Users Finally Own Up?
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