JT the Brick

All this talk about a stimulus package, bailouts and our ongoing collapsing economy — I’ve had enough! And sports fans can't escape the bad news, either, with more stories each day about the ongoing "Steroid Era."

With spring training under way, baseball has lost all credibility with many fans. Barry Bonds, the all-time home run king, is about to go on trial for perjury and obstruction of justice in a Federal court in San Francisco. Miguel Tejada just pleaded guilty to lying under oath to Congressional investigators when testifying about performance-enhancing drugs. Roger Clemens might face criminal charges for lying to Congress about his testimony, in which he claimed he never took steroids or human growth hormone. Alex Rodriguez, the best player on the planet, finally admitted that he took banned substances while playing for the Texas Rangers from 2001-03 after lying about it numerous times.

And there are 103 other names on the list of players who tested positive in 2003. That list was supposed to be kept confidential, according to an agreement between the owners and players' union. But more names are sure to leak out.

How could any rational human being believe baseball is in a good place after all of these accusations and charges? Pro baseball is navigating through one of its most difficult and embarrassing periods.

Every night on my radio show, I talk with fans who are aggravated and confused by the awful acts of this era. I think every sports fan should educate themselves about the topic and express their opinion on how to clean up the sport. I'm surprised there is not more discussion among members of the media and fans about how to do this.

Here is what needs to happen if we want to bring about proper change:

First, commissioner Bud Selig and baseball union head Donald Fehr must resign.

I never get personal when it comes to Selig. He has made many good decisions, from expanding the playoffs to retiring Jackie Robinson's No. 42. Selig has improved baseball's telecasts, largely because of the good relationships between the league and broadcast partners. I am a huge fan of the new ballparks that have been built in the past 15 years, and he deserves some credit for helping push those. I have no problem with him earning $18 million in compensation.

That being said, Selig should resign and give someone else a chance to clean the sport of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. A new commissioner would bring a fresh approach to this dangerous, controversial topic and a newfound respect from the players. The owners are too comfortable with Selig and must consider bringing in a person who understands the proud history of the game and can build on many of Selig's accomplishments. A former player such as Joe Morgan, Dave Winfield or George Brett could gain the respect of fans and work with owners to build a better future without performance-enhancing drugs. If the owners are not comfortable with a former player, they could find other nominees with stellar business reputations and high moral values.

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Fehr still does not believe that steroids have ruined the game, and he will never admit he protected many players who broke the law and stained the game. Just this week, Fehr said, "We fixed the problem and need to move forward." How can he be serious? Players could still be taking human growth hormone at an alarming rate, because MLB still does not have a reliable test for it. The players should bring in a new union leader who is not looked down on by the fans and could help rebuild their reputations.

Second, a player should receive a mandatory one-year suspension if he tests positive for a banned substance. Fifty games is an insignificant punishment for a first-time offender and it will not completely clean up the game.

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Third, a player should receive a lifetime expulsion if he lies under oath to Congress or in Federal court. I can understand how a player could lie to a reporter or team owner or executive, but lying to Congress or while under oath should bring the most severe penalty. Maybe the threat of this sort of punishment would encourage some players to tell the truth.

Changes need to happen in baseball, and quickly. If Major League Baseball does not make some brutally tough decisions in the next year or two, the sport could be damaged forever.

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