Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has a problem. He heads an organization that promotes itself as being as American as apple pie and hotdogs, not to mention Chevrolet. But while the organization may be clean and shiny, some of its participants are not.
There is no question that some Major League players have used steroids. There are, however, questions about which players. Some superstars have been named as users by people under indictment for being involved in the industry. Most of those claims have been denied and not proven.
The accusations a couple of weeks ago beg the obvious question, "Why not test all the players?" There are a couple of connected reasons.
A lot of players don't want a regular testing program. Their union contract prohibits drug testing unless there is a specific reason. Even if there is a reason and a player is tested, he can test positive five times before there will be a significant penalty. Five times being caught! That is way too many chances.
The Major League Baseball Players Association claims its members' rights are violated when they are tested at random without "probable cause."
They have a point. Court decisions based on the U.S. Constitution say that no authority can just stop someone and look for evidence of a crime. They have to already have information that indicates a crime occurred and that the person in question may have committed it.
Police can't stop your car unless they see a violation. They can't come into your home unless they can convince a judge that there is evidence there.
On the other hand, if you didn't commit a crime, are not holding any illegal substances, why object to a police search? the MLBPA's answer is, "Because we don't have to put up with it."
Americans have a right to go on with their lives without being harassed by authorities.
According to a story on ESPN.com this week, Selig may take steps this week to try to override that part of the players' union contract.
He has something called a "best interests of the game" clause to use. He apparently intends to act in what he feels is in the game's "best interest."
The ESPN.com story says that Selig would like to put in place a testing program like the one used in the minor leagues, more frequent testing and zero tolerance. One positive test results in a suspension for about two weeks. Additional positive tests result in longer suspensions.
It's expected that, if Selig puts his plan into operation, the players' union will file a labor grievance against MLB. The Union has advised its members about the health risks and other dangers of steroid use, heart disease, sexual dysfunction, etc.
But there is always the pressure to do better ... hit farther, throw farther, run faster. Steroid use, resulting in an increase of muscle, and thereby, strength, is seen as a way to boost a career, set a record, or gain a few more years of activity.
On the other hand, some players see the danger of performance enhancing drugs and the value of a few more years of living, career or not.
Selig needs to win this one and the MLBPA needs to see a stricter program as being in the "best interest" of its members.