Strike two.... with provisos

Sigh! Critical thinkers warned baseball of this. A newspaper story alleges that Sammy Sosa, 2003 home run king in Major League Baseball (MLB), tested positive in a test for steriods. This is not the surprise. Critics of the policy warned about the trickle effect on the spectator sport where one name at a time comes out.

MLB drug tested all the players under limitation of complete confidentiality and freedom from penalty. Only so many people possessed knowledge of those names of those who tested positive for steriod use. Sosa is just the latest name to be alleged to be on the list. The thinkers contend that it would be much better if all the names would be released at once.

The mitigation to that idea falls into two aspects. First, the promise of confidentiality still exists. although for two names, Clemens and Sosa that confidential existence no longer applies. It appears that this exposure process continues trickling.

The second mitigation is time. Look at the calendar. Its 2009AD. The tests were taken six years ago. A statuesque of delimitations should apply.

However the release of the name Sosa dumps Sammy's reputation. Sosa also lied to the United States Congress. He swore that he never took steriods. A there's the irony one must tell the truth to this assembly but that very same Congressional body waged war on Iraq by a liar's breath. And while Sosa's lie hurts only him, the Congressional lie killed tens of thousands people.

Evidence points to the fact that the use of steriods was very common in that era. So common in use that any competitive advantage was negated. Everyone was on the juice. Its not a surprise that Roger Clemens was on the steriods. Clemens didn't have t lie about it. Bonds shouldn't have to lie about it.

Still this dangling of names must be thwarted by releasing all the listed names now. The Caveat declared by MLB that the people listed should be allowed into the Hall of Fame if they qualify in other ways. Simply making that statement will assuage the sports writers. The rush of names will take the focus off of Sosa alone by making steriod use so common that everyone was equal in competition.

Now that another player's name has been released means that the confidentiality wall is a joke. Its best to release all the names.

Another point though. I think it should be okay for baseball players to take steriods under medical supervision. Andy Petite's declared reason for taking steriods to recuperate from injury is a legitimate reason.

What is needed in MLB is more openness and more compassion. In some countries after a period of crisis new governments creates a “truth and reconciliation commissions”. MLB would be a smart league to do that.