MLB's drug-testing program is "widely regarded as the toughest in sports," but some players "remain frustrated that users of performance-enhancing drugs occasionally escape detection, and say that they are open to even more stringent penalties," according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSPORTS.com. Tigers P Justin Verlander said, "If you want to cheat, there is a window to do it. Guys are finding ways around the system. It's pretty evident, pretty well-known that the people who are making these illegal substances are ahead of the testers." However, Rosenthal notes not all players "are dissatisfied with the sport's drug-testing program." Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista and 3B Josh Donaldson said that they "believe the system is working." Bautista said, "It's going to be impossible to find a 100 percent level playing field. But it seems like we're at 98-99 percent." Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw said, "If there was a type of testing that guaranteed every person that used PEDs would be caught, I would be all for it. I don't think the problem is the length of the suspension, but more the improbability of being caught." Rosenthal notes one problem with testing is that "many PEDs do not remain detectable in a player's body for long." A regular user "likely will be caught if he is tested" five times a year. With a sporadic user, "it's more luck of the draw." MLBers "recognize that testing can accomplish only so much." Cardinals LF Matt Holliday said, "I'd love to make sure there is nobody doing anything outside the lines whatsoever. I just don't know how realistic it is outside of doing blood testing on a day-to-day basis, which isn't realistic ... I don't know how much blood testing we are willing to do before it gets absurd" (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/21).
BOOST THE PROFILE? Rosenthal on Tuesday said of player marketing being a point of focus in ongoing MLB CBA negotiations, "What you have is a commissioner that sees an opportunity with young stars coming into the game and you have a union that is itching to see the players promoted in a bigger way. I don't know that we'll ever get to the point where baseball players are like NBA stars. They're not as facially recognized, but at the same time, can baseball do better and would that be in the best interest of the entire sport? Absolutely.” MLB Net's Brian Kenny said it is "in everybody’s interest to promote like crazy. Make Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen huge stars.” MLB Net’s Dave Valle said, “There shouldn’t be a starting player on your team that is not recognizable within your town, within your region. ... I think it is a win-win for everybody. They promote the players and that’s going to bring in more revenue in every facet.” Rosenthal added, "I got a text today from an executive ... and he said to me that he has always wondered why baseball doesn’t buy, say, a first-half commercial and a second-half commercial during the Super Bowl basically saying, ‘We’re next, here we come, here are our guys.’ ... That’s the kind of thing that the sport needs to do to take the next step” (“MLB Now,” MLB Network, 4/19).
