Baseball’s new “Zero Tolerance” policy toward steroids

So, in a press conference baseball’s commisioner Bud Selig says that it wants to restore the public’s confidence in the game and is rolling out a new tougher steroid testing program.

“I’ve been saying for some time that my goal for this industry is zero tolerance regarding steroids,” commissioner Bud Selig said.

Okay, sounds good so far… until you get what the “penalties” are.

A first positive test would result in a suspension of up to 10 days, a second positive test in a 30-day ban, a third positive in a 60-day penalty, and a fourth positive test in a one-year ban. A player who tests positive a fifth time would be subject to discipline determined by the commissioner.

This is “zero tolerance”? Call me crazy, but this seems pretty damned tolerant! What other profession would give you a 10 day suspension for testing positive for (let us not forget) illegal drug use?

Everyone wave goodbye as our “National Passtime” sells its soul to worship at the altar of the almighty dollar.