THE EXAMINER
WASHINGTON, DC
JULY 14, 2005
BASEBALL THROWN OUT OF THE GAME
By Robert Weiner and Alexis Leventhal
While everyone in our region is abuzz that the Nationals are in first place at the
All Star Break, it is a shame that baseball will no longer be on the world stage. They’ve
been thrown out of their own game.
No changes for drug testing methods or penalties in Major League Baseball has
finally cost the sport its place in the Olympics. The IOC this week dropped baseball from
competition, with many IOC members citing its miserable drug record. "In the case of
baseball, the best athletes are not competing and the major athletes perform in an
environment where doping controls are not what we have in the Olympic world," states
IOC President Jacques Rogge.
The current major league baseball policy, put in place under pressure only this
season, still is the worst in professional sports: a 10 game suspension (of a 162 game
season) for a first suspension, 30 games for a second, and 60 for a third, and only requires
players be tested once during the season. It seems “forever” is the time a player can use
drugs before he gets a lifetime ban. Resistance from the players union has stopped
progress from taking place: all “concern” and talk but no action.
Although the emphasis has been on baseball, Congress has drafted four bills that
institute drug testing and penalties for major league baseball as well as the NBA, NFL,
and NHL similar to those implemented by World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) for
Olympic athletes. The most notable of these bills include the “Drug Free Sports Act,”
introduced by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), and the “Clean Sports Act of 2005,” introduced
by Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), ranking Democrat Henry Waxman (CA), and by Senator
John McCain (R-AZ). These bills require random, independent testing five times a year
for players, including the off season, and institute the much more stringent and effective
WADA penalties, including two years for first offense and a lifetime ban for a second
(other bills differ slightly).
Congress has promised to crack down on drug use among professional athletes,
and these bills are the way to accomplish this. But they have not happened yet; fierce
lobbying is under way. Congress must act now to restore the integrity of America’s
favorite pastime and, more importantly, to stop the athletes from being horrible role
models for young and impressionable fans. In fact, more than a million American
teenage boys and girls abused steroids last year—a tripling over the past decade. That’s
more than those who used crack or heroin and almost half as many as ecstasy. Long and
short term effects of steroid usage are hazardous and even lethal; ranging from mood
swings and depression to cancer and diabetes. The dangers of these drugs are too great
and the influence of professional baseball players too widespread for such athletes to
continue to abuse drugs without severe punishments.
World sports bodies and governments no longer tolerate athletes that use
performance-enhancing drugs. So it is not surprising that the IOC would reject a sport
that does just that. The solution to baseball’s drug problem is clear: require testing of
U.S.-based athletes to be done by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) at
home and by WADA when abroad, and implement the WADA/USADA penalties.
The only question for changing the control of testing and punishments for
professional sports is implementing this legislation under the current Drug Czar, John
Walters. Walters has remained silent on this issue unlike his predecessor, General Barry
McCaffrey, who was passionate and influential in the creation of WADA and USADA.
McCaffrey has also called on baseball to add the other WADA-tested drugs -amphetamines, Human Growth Hormone and EPO.
When it comes to drug-use in professional baseball, Congress, the owners, and the
fans, but apparently not the representatives of the players, are in favor of meaningful
action. Maybe now, after the Olympic announcement, Congress will deliver on its
promise and players will no longer fight change for independent testing and effective
penalties. Removing baseball’s anti-trust exemption is another “biggie” they’d pay
attention to. It’s time to stop allowing drug-abusing athletes to dictate drug policy and
start holding them accountable for their actions.
We were privileged to be among the over 45,596 fans who saw the Nationals play
on opening day this year and the millions who are avidly watching their progress. Yet we
have a sinking feeling with each game, not knowing whether we are watching drugs or
skills in the athletes’ performances. The same is true for fans of every baseball team in
every park in America. If the players want to yell at us for the insinuation, then they will
have no problem throwing out cheaters and joining in support of Congressional action.
Robert Weiner was spokesman for the White House National Drug Policy Office
1995-2001. He directed the World Anti-Doping Agency media outreach at the Salt Lake
City Olympics and White House Drug Policy media at the Sydney Olympics. Alexis
Leventhal is a sports statistician for the Athletic Department at Haverford College, and
policy analyst at Robert Weiner Associates.