From Michael Wilbon’s Washington Post article Finally, Baseball’s Steroid Policy Shows a Little Muscle:

With Congress threatening to unilaterally impose what amounted to a no-tolerance, go-to-jail-now policy for steroid users, the strongest union in America completely capitulated yesterday and accepted the commissioner’s proposal of 50 games for a first-time steroid user who tests positive, 100 games for a second-time user and a lifetime ban from baseball for anybody dumb enough to be caught a third time.

With these new rules, MLB has also prohibited the use of amphetamines (they had previously not tested for them). Players apparently have been using amphetamines (which are commonly called “greenies”, or speed) since the 1970s. Personally I think the stricter rules will be good for the game, the players, and the fans. Hands down professional sports are healthier, safer, and fairer without the use of steroids so getting them out of the game is a good thing. Home run numbers are sure to decline overall and many people will question some of the great players from this era (and already have) – but hopefully this new measure will eventually get fans back into the game to see the game as a whole, not the one superstar who will hit a 500+ ft home run who’s head is the size of a county fair pumpkin because of all the roids he’s been pumping.

In Orioles news Palmeiro and Sosa will not be returning next season. “Slammin’” Sammy is on an obvious decline in his career and had an average season at best…with his previous superstar status and superstar stats, this past season was a bust. There were rumors of some friction in the clubhouse with Sosa and other players as well which are the same types of rumors that came from Chicago. With bad numbers and bad team chemistry getting rid of Sammy was an easy and obvious choice for the Orioles.

Palmeiro on the other hand was always a fan favorite and seemed to be a friend and mentor to other players as he was a future Hall of Famer…That is until Palmeiro denied ever using steroids “period”, testing positive a few weeks later.

At the end of every season the Orioles let me down…I’ve never seen them win a World Series…I was only 1 year old in 1983 when they won the last time and have not been back since. I know this isn’t as bad as some other teams had/have it…but I think next year is the year for the Orioles.