In 1989 then deputy commissioner Fay Vincent led baseball’s investigation that resulted in Pete Rose’s lifetime ban for gambling on baseball. With the latest list of MLB players linked to the now famous PEDs clinic in Miami, Vincent offered his solution to the problem. Throw them out of baseball. Implement a zero tolerance policy for PEDs in baseball.
The report named Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez, Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz, Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Melky Cabrera, San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal and Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon and that all were involved with performance-enhancing drugs.
True to form, shortly after the news story broke about the Miami clinic and the links to major league baseball players, the denials by those players started fast and furious. First A-Rod, then Gonzalez.
Actually its more like deny, deny, deny.
Vincent compared the situation to the cocaine era during his 1989-92 stint as commissioner. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Steve Howe was suspended seven times for drug use, only to return to a new job after the suspensions. Cabrera and Colon, each suspended last year, received free agent contracts this winter, with Cabrera going from a $6 million deal to a two-year, $16 million contract.
Vincent went on to add “I would throw anybody out of the game after a failed test,” Vincent said, MLB commissioner in 1989-1992. “That’s why we did it with Rose. People knew that if we can throw out a guy like Rose, who acted so arrogant, we can do it to anybody who gambles. So why not for steroids? Why give them three bites of that apple?”
“It’s a very effective deterrent. It’s like the Saudis cutting off an arm if you steal somebody’s wallet. You see one guy walking around without a wrist, it stops you.” So would zero a tolerance work for PEDs?
