STAFF EDITORIAL: Steroids destroy baseball

One of the most unethical actions baseball players can commit is to substitute sweat for steroids. Rather than rely on their own efforts and talents, baseball players Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds have admitted to using steroids and other illegal enhancement drugs - knowingly or not. But thanks to Major League Baseball's almost nonexistent policy on steroids, these players will face few consequences for their unethical behavior. Major League Baseball and the players' union should not tolerate these players any longer. They should immediately impose stiffer punishments for any player caught taking steroids. And they should not be afraid to lockout players before the next contract if that's what it takes to get a more stringent policy.

The drug policy in Major League Baseball is beyond reform - its lax policies make it seem as if it is still in its first stages of development. Under the current system, players walk away with nothing more than counseling at the first positive test for steroid use. A second positive test would result in a 15 day suspension. Players must be tested positive five times before getting a year-long suspension. These punishments are laughably lax. Players may benefit from counseling, so long as it comes with longer suspensions more appropriate to their unethical actions.

This week the Major League Baseball Players' Association will meet in an effort to improve the group's steroid testing program, according to The New York Times. Players have already accepted mandatory drug testing, which shows they are serious in prohibiting steroids and other enhancement drugs in their sport. Other honest baseball players must undoubtedly be angry with a few players giving professional baseball a bad name. Increased testing and harsher punishments should be on the top of each player's list if they want to keep their sport alive.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said that if the MLB and the players' union do not impose harsher punishments to steroid users by January, he will introduce legislation mandating drug testing in baseball players. While the policy needs to be changed, the federal government should not involve itself in this discussion. MLB is still a private organization, and there is a Canadian team in the league (Toronto), an obstacle no piece of legislation can get over. But if John McCain is using his political power to get the public to discuss the use of enhancement drugs and pressure professionals to crack down on these illegal and unethical practices, he should be commended for doing so. Baseball officials should respond to public outcry and McCain's call if they want to save professional baseball.