STEROID USE - NO TOLERANCE SHOULD BE THE POLICY, PERIOD

This week, we learned that Major League Baseball ("MLB") intends to go after several players connected to a clinic known to distribute steroids to MLB players (and, likely non-MLB players).  The question to be determined is whether and to what extent players who abuse steroids should be punished by the League.

  What are steroids? Steroids, used properly, are drugs that can assist athletes and others in rejuvenating their bodies from injuries, and quicken the healing process.  Steroid use, however, has been hotly debated because, used improperly (with or without prescription), steroids have been attributed to serious injuries, deformations, irregular heartbeats, and death.  Steroids also tend to strengthen the user, often resulting in a higher ability to create strong plays - in baseball, for instance, hitting the ball farther, pitching at a quicker pace; in football, being stronger than an opponent, etc.  A major "con" of using steroids, besides health risk, is that the player can often grow larger, sweat profusely, and could potentially have a weaker sex drive.

It is clear from years of study in the MLB that steroid users have an advantage over non-steroid users - the simplest example is to look at those hitters responsible for inflating home run figures over the past 20 years.  Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds are the most prominent names out there of those that have retired.  None of the three was an indecent hitter - indeed, all three were HOF contenders even without the inflated home run figures.  However, it is clear that steroid use contributed greatly to their "heroics", especially in the early 2000's.

The problem the MLB has, however, is not in spotting steroid use, but in punishing its use.  For decades, much of the MLB punishment has been lax, at best.  Even its 50 game ban, which has been ordered on several players - Manny Ramirez is likely the most famous - is not a sufficient deterrent.  The MLB must get tougher.  It must create a "ZERO Tolerance" policy for the good of the game.  My recommendation is that any player caught having used banned steroids without a valid prescription (and even then, there should be limitations) should be suspended for the rest of the season - and, should be randomly tested for the period on suspension.  If, during suspension, any further positive test is identified, the player will be banned for life.

If, after the end of the season, the player desires to play, and of course, remains clean during the period of punishment, the player may be invited back to play.  If, however, the player is ever caught using a banned substance again, then the player will be banned for life, without the possibility of reinstatement.

That's my take ... what's yours?

Abe

KINGS' CUP HOPES - QUICK-LY DETERIORATING ...?

The Los Angeles Kings have a very good all around hockey team.  It has a very strong goaltending tandem - arguably the best in the NHL on any given night. Jonathan Quick has kept the Kings close for most games, and in these playoffs, has literally stood on his head at times making plays which Plastic Man would have had trouble with ... with two bumpy games - the first, an OT loss to the Blues in which he practically handed the game-winning goal to St. Louis with a bad handling play behind his own goal; the second, last night, allowing 4 goals before being pulled for the night.  With Bernier as the backup, the Kings are solid between the pipes for a long time to come.

Defensively, the Kings had looked sharp through much of the season, even with the noticeable absence (especially early in the shortened season) of Willie Mitchell and the early struggles of Drew Doughty to find the net.  Eventually, Doughty was able to break through, and the defensive core was helped by the addition of Muzzin and Voynov.  Scuderi and Doughty have remained solid, and the late season acquisition of Regehr really rounded out the defense.  Matt Greene, hurt for much of the regular season is back, but his consistency has been missed during these playoffs.

However, with that said, of late (ie, the playoffs), the defensive core has had difficulty moving the puck out of the defensive zone.  Time after time, the Kings get pinned down in their own zone, often with unfortunate consequences, leading to odd man rushes and opposition scoring chances.

Offensively, the Kings appear to have solidly built lines, with scorers on all four lines.  However, while the skill level seems high, and shots usually around 25/game, repeated chances on the same shift are sporadic at best.  Often, there is a sense of one and done, before the other team rushes back up and then keeps the puck hemmed into the Kings zone for long stretches.  Kopitar, Brown, Williams ... Penner, Carter, Richards ... Stoll, Toffoli, Richardson and/or Lewis ... and even Fraser, Clifford, and King.  The Kings have the skill, size, and agility to create havoc for opposing defenders ... and yet, scoring more than 1 or 2 goals per game remains a mystery.

Coaching - Darryl Sutter has been a savior, frankly.  His expertise as well as his ability to motivate his team at the right times are legendary.

I think the Kings will remain a Stanley Cup contender for years to come.  Unfortunately, I think the Blackhawks are a better all around team, with proven scoring and a stingy defense led by an even stingier goaltender.  We'll have to wait and see if the Kings can pull out of this nose dive as they did in the St Louis series.

Until next time ...