Classic Rant #1,012 (August 2, 2013): Is Today the Day or Not?

I am not going to say too much on this subject, because honestly, the whole thing sickens me.

Today was supposed to be the day that we finally found out about the suspensions of certain baseball players for using performance enhancing drugs (PED).

Today was the day that we supposedly were going to find out how long Alex Rodriguez, from my beloved New York Yankees, was going to be suspended for cheating, and lesser lights, like the Texas Rangers' Nelson Cruz, were also going to get their "sentences" today.

Now I read that those suspensions might be pushed back to Monday.

I felt for sure we would hear something today.

First, it is time. We have been hearing about this thing for months, it has sullied the game during the 2013 season, taken the spotlight away from the great new stars in the game to put it squarely on those whose intent was to cheat for their own personal gain.

Also, remember, press is important.

To announce these suspensions on Friday afternoon, let's say, would allow the news to be carried in Saturday newspapers, which few read.

Believe it or not, that is very, very important.

But now I hear that Monday is the day, and the reason is ridiculous.

Most of the players involved in this nonsense will be getting 50-game suspensions, and if those types of suspensions are handed down on Monday, it will still allow certain players to play this year, and yes, proceed to the playoffs and World Series if their teams are lucky enough to get that far.

So in my mind, rather than really penalize these players, you are giving them a slap on the wrist.

Rather than tell these players, "You can't play, you are suspended, and that includes the postseason," you are basically telling them, "Sit tight, but prepare for the postseason."

If you want these punishments to mean anything, they have to be thorough, to mean anything, they have to include the playoffs and World Series.

I guess the thinking of the commissioner's office is that yes, you are punishing those who used PEDs, but why punish the teams themselves?

I say that the teams are liable, too, because with a stiffer punishments, players would understand that if they do something underhanded like this, it not only affects themselves, but it affects the teams they play for.

It is early in the day on Friday as I write this, and hopefully, I am wrong about this.

Last year, the Giants' Melky Cabrera was suspended for his drug use, and when it was time to come back, his employer last year, the San Francisco Giants, basically told him to take a hike, and did not allow him back for the playoffs or the World Series.

And they did not re-sign him for the 2013 season. He now plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, who were oh so happy to give him a contract pretty quickly when it appeared the Giants were not going to re-sign him.

And yes, the Giants won the World Series for the second time in three years in 2012.

Perhaps this is what teams will do with their suspended players, not have them back when it counts the most. That would be more of a "real" punishment--and then not sign them again when their contracts are up.

Who knows, but this charade has played itself out, and it is time to concentrate on baseball, not on druggies.

Let's see what happens as the day moves on.