I've been very wrong about pre-2002 steroid use

by davidalanu on Aug 8, 2007 7:30 PM CDT

Simply because I was tired of hearing the argument that "even if Bonds took steroids prior to the testing era in baseball, he hadn't broken any rules", I sent an email to Lester Munson asking his opinion on the subject.

I respect Munson a great deal, and he was kind enough to respond to two emails on the matter. He basically said that the only rule a player would have broken would have been a "technical violation regarding prescriptions" which the player could easily dance around.

I always held firm to the belief that there had to have been some sort of "illegal drugs" clause in the CBA prior to 2002. Apparently, that's not the case.

Here's what he had to say about the union's stance: "Steroids were not
addressed. The union tried to argue that steroids should be treated as a disease,
a form of addiction, with treatment and confidentiality. It was a ridiculous
position. Steroids are not addictive. There is no rehab for steroid users.
We do not treat steroid users. Steroids are cheating. We do not treat
cheaters. We expose them and we punish them. It took the union and MLB a long time
to come to this fairly obvious realization."

Anyway, my apologies to anyone who(m) I may have contradicted with my errant thinking regarding this.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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The use or possession

of steroids has been a violation of federal law since 1990.

by cubsbak on Aug 8, 2007 10:41 PM CDT reply actions

without a valid prescription

Lots of people use steroids legitimately. My 9 year old son had a prescription for them this summer to clear up a case of poison ivy. Again, the violation is when the user/possessor does not have the proper prescription for steroids or the license to dispense them.

by FrankSereno on Aug 9, 2007 1:49 AM CDT reply actions

I could be wrong

but i was under the impression that knowingly taking prescription drugs under a false prescription was illegal.

Will Ohman is eating onion rings in a diner. The door chimes as Lou Pinnella walks in. Slowly everything fades to black.

by jds2 on Aug 9, 2007 1:19 PM CDT reply actions

No question, it is.

Mr. Munson's point is very valid, though. The players have the wherewithal to get around this.

Technically speaking, what they were doing was illegal and maybe against MLB rules, but it's nothing that would stick. It makes me wonder what would happen if/when the players are proven to have taken PED's. If it wasn't considered cheating, what the hell can Selig do? Maybe invoke some morals clause regarding the perjury charge? I truly don't know.

by davidalanu on Aug 9, 2007 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions