The State of the MLB: Code Red

Right when it seemed America’s past time was disassociating itself from the "Steroid Era," another storm hits.  This time, I’m afraid it may be a much larger blitz on the integrity of the game.

Over the past week, two Dominican born players, Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera and Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon, have been suspended 50 games for steroid use. Hate to bring it up, but baseball is on the verge of another Mitchell Report scandal. This one may be called the Dominican Dilemma. I say that because Cabrera and his dose of ‘roids have been linked to his home country. The MLB must be cringing right now. The Dominican is not only a fountain of talent for its league, but the homeland to many of its stars. If they’re handing out steroids like candy in the land of Pujols, Cano, and Reyes to name a few, the MLB has a major problem on their hands.

This may seem like an overreaction, but I’m pretty nervous about this. Bud Selig should be too. In this day and age, I’m sure there are ways around random drug tests. Who's to say the Dominican players don’t know about these cover ups? In a country where it’s so easy to needle up and associate your self with a different alias, nothing will shock me. Selig better hope Cabrera and Colon are the only ones. If they aren’t, his reputation will be severely tarnished. He was the guy at the realm the first time steroids came into baseball. He would be the same guy to not do everything he could to stop it, and allow it to occur yet again.

Courtesy: inquistr.com

Bud Selig needs to make a sharper penalty
for steroid usage, but will he?

Something has to change with the MLB and its enforcement of not allowing steroids. Players should not be able to sleep knowing they took something that is simply not allowed in the game. A 50 game suspension isn’t cutting it. Why not a year ban? Experts say the MLBPA would never allow it, but it shouldn’t be a topic for debate. Baseball can’t handle another Mitchell Report. It would lose too many fans. It would be the joke of the big four sports. That’s a good enough reason to comply. If not, then let there be a lockout.

Saving the integrity of the game should be a priority of the MLB, and right now, it's not.