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Just Exactly Who Is Running The Asylum?

Since when have the participants in any sport been able to dictate if, and or when, they would be tested for illegal or banned drug use. See the article by Murray Chass in the New York Times where he wrote:

In 1985, the owners unilaterally terminated a joint drug program with the players, as was their right. They terminated the program because it was not working for them. The only way a player was going to be tested under the program was if his team submitted his name to the drug panel and said he was suspected of using recreational drugs. Teams, not surprisingly, were reluctant to turn in their own players.

If players are to be hanged for any kind of drug use, the clubs want the players to hang themselves. The clubs do not want to be the hangmen.

And although Commissioner Bud Selig has said this year that he wants a stringent steroids-testing program, he has ignored past drug problems.

When the player strike in 1994 cancelled the World Series it become apparent that the players had no real concern for the sport. Milquetoast commissioner Bud Selig is clueless. The past drug testing agreements negotiated with the players' union might as well have been written by the Medellin drug cartel. The players could easily go on strike over a drug policy that has any teeth. With the NHL on strike over something as benign as money and the NBA about to collapse because the players are unable to control themselves, football may be the only major team sport left. Should anyone really care?

Posted by Rick | December 6, 2004 04:39 AM