[Domenic]

MLB, union formalize new drug policy

Major League Baseball and the Players Association have agreed to an enhanced drug policy that enacts all of the recommendations made by former Sen. George Mitchell in his report that analyzed the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport late last year.

Administration of the program, which Mitchell had already called "the strongest in U.S. professional sports," will be turned over to an outside party, Dr. Bryan Smith, who has been sharing in that administration in recent years with a lawyer for the owners and a lawyer for union. Smith has been appointed for an initial term of three years.

In addition to increased tests both in and out of season, Commissioner Bud Selig agreed that he would not discipline any of the active players named in the Mitchell Report in lieu of community service and a $200,000 contribution by the union to an anti-drug charitable, educational or research organization. Any fines imposed on management will be donated to the Partnership of a Drug Free America and the Taylor Hooton Foundation.

Full story.

This seems like an excellent deal, in opinion. I'm expecially glad that the players implicated in the Mitchell Report aren't punished, as a great deal of it is largely hearsay. Though, I do expect there to be more positive tests with this new policy.

[BlueBaron]

Does this mean Clemens gets off or is he still screwed?

[Domenic]

I would assume it means he gets off - but at this point in his career, all he cares about is making the Hall of Fame. I'm pretty sure he's screwed from that angle.

[jackmcmanus21]

The Clemens HOF vote will be interesting. It would be a shame to see Bonds or Clemens...probably the best hitter and pitcher of my era, not in the HOF

[jaivyjay]

interesting lol