Updated: Jan 13, 2005, 4:57 PM

Vote: Taking steroids out of the ballgame


Bud Selig Major League Baseball has announced a tougher steroid policy that includes penalties for first-time offenders and random, year-round checks. But is it tough enough for fans tired of stories and rumors about steroid abuse?

Under the terms of the new agreement between players and owners, first-time offenders will now be subject to suspensions, and repeat offenders have less margin for error prior to earning a one-year suspension. But for all the progress, the new agreement still falls short of the guidelines used in many international sports.

So is this enough? Are you satisfied steroid use will fade away? And what would you do, in a borderline baseball player's cleats? Vote, SportsNation.
  • 1) Which more accurately describes your view of the new MLB steroid policy?
  • 2) Is steroid abuse the biggest problem confronting baseball today?
  • 3) Are you less likely to watch or attend baseball games because of your opinion of steroid abuse in the sport?
  • 4) Which would you rather see in baseball?
  • 5) What percentage of players do you think use steroids?
  • 6) The new agreement calls for a one-year ban after a fourth positive test, as opposed to a fifth positive test under the old agreement. After which positive test do you think players should draw one-year suspensions?
  • 7) The new agreement calls for a suspension of up to 10 games for a first positive test, as opposed to treatment-only under the old agreement. What should the penalty be for a first positive test?
  • 8) The World Anti-Doping Agency's norm for Olympic sports is a two-year ban for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second offense. Is this reasonable?
  • 9) How much will the new rules and penalties decrease steroid use in baseball?
  • 10) If it meant earning $2.5 million a year in the majors instead of less than $100,000 in the minors, would you take steroids?

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