Why MLB is Dying (It's not Steroids)

In a week in which pitchers and catchers report MLB is embroiled in yet another controversy. This is usually a time of year that I look forward to. The Reds still have a chance. This year more than ever, we actually have pretty good pitching that could help us contend. Anyway, news broke that Alex Rodriguez had tested positive for steroids in 2003. He quickly admitted his guilt and asked for understanding and forgiveness. So of course, this will be the dominating story for the rest of the baseball season, and at least until ARod retires, as he will be chasing some of the biggest HR records of all-time.

I for one am sick of it. This is clearly compromising the game, and many fans have given up on the sport. Baseball is plummetting in popularity, TV ratings and attendance. Many claim this is the end of baseball. I for one would have to agree.

However, the steroid use by the players and the "steroid era" that is described by the media is not why baseball is dying. The real reason is the dreaded organization known as the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association). Run by Donald Fehr since 1983, this is the strongest, most belligerent union in the country. They have maximized player salaries, held off drug testing, opened up free agency, increased rookie salaries - and all of this is killing the game.

Here are a couple of MAJOR issues that I have with the union:

Steroid Testing
Baseball has long needed drug testing for steroids, like EVERY OTHER SPORT IN THE WORLD! This has been a known problem for decades. Its not like steroids snuck up on baseball in the 1990's! The MLBPA has refused to allow any drug testing under the collective bargaining agreement for years. How many unions do you know that can block drug testing?

Then in 2003, they allowed random, anonymous drug testing. The reason was to prove that such testing was unnecessary. The agreement was that if over 5% of players tested positive for steroids, mandatory testing would be enacted. Union leaders pleaded with players to get clean as this was a 1 time only test series. If they avoided the 5% threshold, no more testing. Reportedly (although they will always deny this), players were actually tipped off about tests in advance! Guess what, they still went over 5% in the samples!!! This is the test series that caught ARod. MLBPA was supposed to keep the samples anonymous, but I guess they blew that too!

Now there are 103 other positive results out there that will put doubt over all players in the era. Who knows how many other players did get clean after being warned. These 104 are just the arrogant ones that didn't heed the warnings. To put the icing on the cake, some clean players have offered to submit to voluntary steroid testing. Those players have been severely repremanded by the MLBPA. Can you believe that???

Salary Cap
Every major sport has a salary cap. Players still get TONS of money in salaries. The MLBPA has successfully held off any salary cap for years. This is the major issue killing baseball. Teams like the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox buy their way into the postseason every year, and take turns winning the World Series. MLB counters this argument by talking about the Twins, the Rays and the A's as small market teams that can succeed. I will say that these are the RARE exceptions of extraordinary TEAMS built around teamwork. There are way many more teams that have no chance to compete based upon salaries. The Reds fall into this category.

Baseball needs a salary cap to restore the integrity of the game. Teams need to be on a level playing field. It works pretty well in the NFL, so I don't see any reasons to resist. I think the MLBPA needs to be decertified and baseball should start over. Donald Fehr needs to go away for the good of the game!