Skip to main content

BU$TED - Time to Hit PED Users Where it Hurts


Dee Gordon is not exactly the prototypical ballplayer we all think of when we look to slap the scarlet "PED User" label on baseball players. For years, despite Major League Baseball doing more than any league in North America to ensure fair play, fans still prefer to stick to the irrational judgement on who gets shunned and who gets another chance. Gordon's use now throws a wrench in the whole "eye test" standard we've had. 

Just look at him, dude, he has to be using. 

Despite it all, I'm thoroughly shocked by all that has gone down. I like Gordon. I really enjoyed watching him play. I actually had just finished watching his very last game before the suspension between his Marlins and the Dodgers in which Gordon had the go-ahead hit. Then of course, immediately after, my nighttime religion routine of MLB Network broke the news that he was immediately slapped with an 80-game suspension for the failed test. 

Despite the disappointment in guys like Gordon, Chris Collabelo, and overall, the thought (and possible naivete) that players are still trying to cheat, there is a side of me that is indeed happy to see this go down. The silver lining being, that you know, the system is working, and that guys are being caught, punished, and of course, being held accountable in the all-important court of public appeal.

Yet, the major issue for me is overall punishment and discipline for users and those who are caught. No, not the games. But the process (what's with them playing during appeals?), and overall risk/reward aspect that encompasses it all. Right now, the system is still in favor of those taking the risk in using PEDs, as the reward is still worth it. For Gordon, he still has a 5-year, $50M contract. 

How many captions can you come up with here?

This is where the MLBPA will have stand to up for the cause and agree to allow contracts to be void based upon PED use. If you're caught cheating, organizations should be able to void your contract outright. Or at the very least, be given the option to do so. Imagine a baseball world if this were the case? What would have been for the Yankees and the rest of A-Rod's career? What would have been for Ryan Braun? Don't you think the Marlins would cut ties with Gordon effective immediately? 

Make it so much of a risk, so far reaching, so not worth it, for players to use PEDs, that we can finally clean it all up. 

Really, in my opinion, this needs to be the next step. Cheaters shouldn't be rewarded with security. And they shouldn't receive consolation prizes of security and guaranteed dollars to follow their suspension. Especially, when said cheating earned them that suspension.  

MLB has definitely cleaned up the game, and they should be praised for every person caught.  But it's time to really drop the hammer on where this ultimately boils down to - money. Until then, why wouldn't a mediocre ball player take the chance? 

Recent Favorites

AEW All IN: London (2023) Review: "This large of a crowd for an event that wasn't the WWE!"

I'm obviously registering these thoughts incredibly late, but such is the current state of pro wrestling right now - there is just so much going on, and so much to enjoy. It's a great time to be a fan, regardless of where your tribalism fandom falls - if you carry such allegiances.  I'm sure no matter what product you find entertaining, you circled AEW's All In event from Wembley Stadium as a must-watch. I don't care about someone else's "take" on the attendance total - I couldn't care less if it was the record for a pro wrestling event or not - what AEW was able to accomplish is absolutely amazing! Four years in, and the company produced an event on the levels of Wrestlemania in terms of attendance and business - that's damn impressive! Tony Khan and the entire company deserve loads of credit for taking that leap because it very much could have failed. They took a chance, and absolutely delivered (and so much more), and proved there is a subs

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/10/23

3 Up 1. Coco Gauf & Novak Djokovic - The US Open wrapped up this weekend and tennis crowned some deserving champions. Djokovic continues to add to a remarkable career with his 24th (!!) grand slam title win. And of course, Coco Gauff won over America with her win. It's impressive to see the effect that the Williams sisters have had on tennis - wow. Looking forward to seeing the star Gauff will become.  2. Olivia Rodrigo - Her first album was fire. Even this late-thirties male enjoyed it. The sophomore album is always the toughest and Rodrigo apparently (haven't listened to it myself, yet) dropped an absolute banger in "Guts". So much so, that it broke records for debut stream with over 60 million streams!  3. Deion Sanders - There's way to much dialogue around Sanders that isn't needed. Here is what it boils down to for me - Sanders took over a program that was 1-11. He brought in 80+ players. His team is currently 2-0, including victories over a ranked op

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/3/23

3 Up  1. Labor Day Weekend - It's the weekend where we mark the unofficial end of summer. However, the weather this upcoming week says otherwise. Nonetheless, I hope you all had an opportunity to reflect, restore, and give some gratitude on this weekend.  2. College Sports - College athletics are back in swing, providing some pretty awesome moments this week.  2a. Nebraska Women's Volleyball - 92,003 for a Women's Volleyball Game is not just a record for a Women's Athletic event, but it's pretty freakin' cool. Kudos to Nebraska Athletics and everyone who attended in making that a special occasion.  2b. Travis Hunter - I didn't get a chance to watch the Colorado vs. TCU game, however, I'm a fan of Deion Sanders, mainly from what he did for Jackson State. However, Hunter playing both ways is remarkable. Freak athlete.  3. Jimmy Buffett - The world said goodbye to Buffet whose songs can take you to a beach or to summer vibes in an instant.  3 Down  1. UNC