MLB and the MLBPA "have been working to create an alcohol policy" for the next CBA, even "before a recent rash of drunken-driving arrests," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Indians RF Shin-Soo Choo was arrested Monday "on suspicion of DUI," becoming the sixth MLBer this season "to face such charges." MLB Exec VP/Labor & HR Rob Manfred said, "Alcohol issues will certainly be a topic that will be addressed in the ongoing negotiations." MLB's current CBA, set to expire in December, does not include a policy for "alcohol-related offenses." The "drugs of abuse" listed in the CBA include marijuana and cocaine, but not alcohol (USA TODAY, 5/5). Sources said that management and players "do not plan to institute a temporary policy before" the CBA expires. YAHOO SPORTS' Jeff Passan wrote for a sport that a "little more than two years ago lost Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart when the car he was a passenger in was broadsided by a drunken driver baseball’s willingness to let DUI offenders walk sends the wrong message -- again and again and again and again and again and again this year" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/4). FOX SPORTS' Ken Rosenthal wrote, "What is baseball's problem? Why are steroid users, who risk harming no one but themselves physically, treated much more harshly than players arrested on charges of DUI, who risk doing great harm to others?" MLB views steroid use as a "threat to the integrity of the sport." A DUI, on the other hand, is an "example of off-duty misconduct, which is not normally subject to discipline by an employer." A player "arrested on DUI charges can voluntarily receive treatment" through a drug treatment and prevention plan, "but not be disciplined under it" (FOXSPORTS.com, 5/4).
GETTING OUT OF HAND: CBSSPORTS.com's Danny Knobler wrote after the six DUI incidents, "you can be sure the owners will raise the issue in this summer's negotiations" on a new CBA. But in the meantime, "baseball gets another black eye" (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/3). ESPN.com's Buster Olney wrote, "Somehow, some way, players -- who probably have more access to outside help for drivers than anyone not named Obama -- keep getting nailed for DUIs. ... Really, it's just ridiculous. They're surrounded by team officials and clubhouse attendants who would provide help at a moment's notice -- or they could do what most people do and call a cab" (ESPN.com, 5/4).
