WHEN A SUSPENSION IS NOT A SUSPENSION
By John Leon
After listening to Mike Golic on ESPN’s Mike and Mike in the Morning radio show, I have to agree with his assessment of the 50 game suspension rules.
Section 8 Part B – Player tests positive for a Performance Enhancing Substance
- 1. 1st Positive Test Result – a 50 game suspension
So where in that very short, very to the point statement does it say start a rehab assignment during the suspension? I didn’t see it did you? But there is a catch in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Major League Baseball Owners and the Players Association.
Section 8 Part H – Suspensions
- 2. During the term of his suspension, a player may consent to an assignment to a Minor League affiliate of his Club…and shall not exceed 10 days (16 days for a pitcher) for a Player suspended for a period of 26-50 days.
Granted, they are suspended without pay, (big deal) but Manny Ramirez, J.C. Romero and others get essentially a 40 game suspension, do a rehab assignment for 10 then get plugged right back into the everyday Major League Lineup.
I absolutely think this is ridiculous. You get suspended for 50, do the time and THEN if the club wants to send you to a rehab gig, send them then. What’s the difference if it’s an injury assignment or suspension? Time is time and this is just another reason why the MLBPA is the strongest union around.
Donald Fehr may be retiring but if Bud Selig, who in my mind may be the Jimmy Carter of Commissioners (the absolute worst ever!), thinks that little gem is coming out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, he is sadly mistaken.
“Our testing procedures are the strongest of any major sport,” said Selig.
Really? So how come, if it’s obvious to most if not all of us, that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire (who I think is getting screwed royally), Brady Anderson, Lenny Dykstra, et al., were doing it, how come that addendum was put in the CBA so they could even think about testing?
Tradeoffs that’s why? The clamoring for testing was so strong that Fehr had no choice but to buckle under the weight of public scrutiny and still protect his players.
But getting back to my point, the 50 game suspensions should be just that, 50 games. No rehab during the suspension, not working out with club trainers, nothing until the sentence is completed. You want to work out, fine, do it on your own dime with your own trainers.
Look, I don’t think I’m being too harsh here. Pitchers get 6 games just for throwing at hitters, so does the crime fit the punishment? Not in this case, it sounds like time off for good behavior. Take the suspension and we’ll knock off some time so you can get back into playing shape.
All I’m saying is the rule stinks and should be changed. It won’t happen but it should.
Rodriguez was also recently relegated to the bench for a brief time as well. Both teams’ claim the players need rest, some time to fend off mental fatigue.
offseason. Rollins, conversely, has simply not been fundamentally sound at the plate. Compounding the problem, is that Rollins has begun to have mental lapses in the field as well.
looking for a shooting guard. Perhaps a local kid. Perhaps, Lutheran Christian (Philadelphia) graduate and Temple Owls star SG, Dionte Christmas. The Sixers, however, did not have a pick. Surprisingly, Christmas went undrafted and the Sixers phoned just hours later, offering him one of their four remaining spots for the summer pro league in Orlando next week. A team source confirmed that Christmas has accepted the invitation and will join the team’s first-round selection, Jrue Holiday, and second-year pro PF Marreese Speights when workouts commence on July 2. The team plans to announce the other three players to join the summer league team on Monday.
urier-Post is reporting that Brett Myers, who suffered what was expected to be a season ending hip injury, is already off crutches from last Thursday’s surgery. He believes that he’s ahead of schedule with his rehab and is destined to make it back to the mound this season.
towards making a Cup run in 09-10 by acquiring stout defensemen Chris Pronger from Anaheim. The move was a cost cutting move for Anaheim who had to contend with defensemen Scott Niedermeyer deciding to return next season with the Ducks. The move was costly for the Flyers, however, as they had to give up Jofrey Lupul and Lucas Sbisa and two first round draft picks (2009 and 2010).
by John Leon
ten pick. He’s not as polished or NBA ready as Lawson or Maynor, but was definitely the right selection for this club. Resigning Andre Miller should now be a high priority, however, since Holliday can not be thrust into a starting role as a rookie.
Recent Comments