ARod probable suspension, role of unions and Bud Selig’s legacy

So it is being reported by the NY Daily News and WFAN that Alex Rodriguez (A-Roid and/or A-Fraud) is being offered a plea bargain by MLB of 150 games suspension because of connection to Miami steroid factory BioGenesis.  It had previously been reported that Rodriguez and Ryan (The Hebrew Hammer) Braun along with 20 other players, were to be suspended 100 games for their association with BioGenesis after this week’s All Star game.  This would be absolutely unprecedented since the current collaborative bargain agreement clearly states a 50 game suspension for a 1^st offense, a 100 game suspension for a 2^nd offense and a lifetime ban for a 3^rd offense.  What is most shocking about this news is that this is being offered as a plea bargain, meaning MLB has enough evidence to nail A-Rod to the wall for a 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd offense, since he has no prior violations.   Although, as we already know, he has previously admitted to using steroids back in 2001 when he was newly signed by the Texas Rangers, prior to 2005 when MLB and the Players Association officially started testing for banned substances.

Apparently, other players, including Braun, who have been summoned to NY to meet with MLB have essentially chosen to invoke their 5^th amendment rights (I know it only applies to the government testimony, but cut me some slack here) and have not said a word, nor have they been able to shake any other players from this tree, though I am honestly not sure what MLB was expecting.  However, when they get ARod to come north from rehab assignments, it is reported that there is now a plea bargain available to him.  I am wondering what is in it for MLB?  If they have the goods to strike him out and to suspend him for life, why offer a plea bargain?  Do they want him to rat out other players who juiced with him?  I would honestly believe that A-Rod would rat out, turn, cheat, steal or anything else if he believed it would help him in any way shape or form, but what does MLB stand to gain if they are holding all the cards?

The next question I have is posed to any member of a labor union.  We are continuing to hear from more and more players that they don’t want cheaters in the game.  Then why do unions, all unions, have the responsibility to defend, to the death it seems, the most blatant cheaters or worse characters in their organizations who are clearly violating the policies and agreements which have been set up to protect the union in the first place?  I realize that until 2005 the MLBPA was arduously fighting to protect all players, even those using PEDs, since they were not outlawed.  A few players, like Curt Schilling were arguing that the union should do more to protect clean players and not defend players caught, but haven’t times changed?  Shouldn’t, what I suspect the overwhelming majority of players today, demand the union not defend those guilty of using PED? 

I am all for due process and making sure that no single player is ostracized or unfairly thrown under the bus, which is the role the union should play, but at some point in time why does a union have to defend the guilty, rather than admit they are guilty and usher them on their way?  I will take this a step outside of baseball, and look at about the only other union I am somewhat familiar with; the teachers union.  Rather than admit there is a bad or unsuccessful teacher that should be weeded out of the system a union will often defend that teacher and see that person is placed back into another classroom potentially negatively impacting other children and preventing a more qualified teacher from obtaining that room.  Again, I am all for due process, and making sure every person has a fair opportunity to defend themselves, but after a certain point of time, wouldn’t the union and its members be better served, by saying you are guilty and it’s time to move on, before ridiculous dollars are spent defending someone that is probably not worth defending in the first place?  Maybe it’s just me?

Finally, why does MLB and Bud Selig have such a big Jones for ARod and Ryan Braun?  Obviously Selig wants Braun to be his bitch since he beat the system last year when he tested positive but was able to get the suspension overturned.  He is now relying on this scumbag Tony Bosch as his primary witness, even after Bosch attempted to extort money from ARod for his defense.  When he could not get the money, he decided to turn evidence over to MLB.  Everyone is talking about how getting these two (or 20) cheaters will solidify Selig’s legacy as having cleaned up the game.  Well folks that is quite frankly the largest load of bull shit I have ever heard, and if you believe that then I have a bridge to sell you.  

Bud Selig has single handily been the worst commissioner ever.  Ford Frick may have been an asshole for establishing the asterisk, and Bowie Kuhn may he been boring in comparison, but Bud has done more long term harm to the game from the fans perspective than any predecessor.  Though he has done a stupendous job of creating excessive wealth for those owners that employ him, while alienating hard care fans, the fact is he remains a putz in my mind.

So what is Bud’s legacy?  He has cancelled a World Series, expanded the league, moved his own Milwaukee Brewers to the National League, introduced the Wild Card, turned what should still be an exhibition game into something that matters (though no one really treats it that way), introduced interleague play, and then made it permanent with the forced move of the Houston Astros to the American League and these are only the tip of the ice berg. 

He single handily oversaw the strike of 1994, and the aforementioned cancellation of the playoffs and World Series which could have kept the Expos in Montreal.  This lock out led to a rapid decline in the popularity of the sport and revenue was down dramatically.  Only the efforts of home run hitting Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998 brought fans back to the game, and what was driving those balls out of the park?  That’s right the same PED/Steroids that Selig is using today to drive Braun and ARod out of the game.  How quickly Acting-Commissioner-for-Life Selig forgets that the resurgence of the game that he almost killed was sparked by PED and he (along with the owners, players, media and fans) completely looked the other way while they lined their pockets with fans who were all too happy to come to the park, to watch these sluggers hit (myself included), and buy beers, programs and hot dogs.  So to me his legacy will always be that of a hypocrite, nothing less, nothing more.  Now, please return so we can have a new commissioner clean up the shit you have left us