I think we're wasting everyone's time with testing.  I say make it MANDATORY to take HGH and steroids.  Talk about evening out the playing field...

Everything was going fine with baseball while steroids were supposedly prevalent in the late 80's and early 90's. Steroids might be an issue for the players, but they surely didn't destroy the game. While it would be positive to see their widespread use curtailed, I don't think it will necessarily solve any problems baseball might have.

The MLB needs to do this. They are trying to do this now, but Bud Selig should have done this years ago! Also, MLB doesn't test for HGH(Human Growth Hormone) so even if a baseball player isn't juicing, HGH still aids players recover and get stronger.

Update: I glanced over a couple recent comments and I recognize the point - if adults want to sacrafice their health for their career, then they should be entitled to that right. Problem is - Big problem is - that like it or not, pro athletes are looked up to by young guys. Combine that with the fact that if you've got guys hitting 70 homers on juice, you're going to have some stiff competition to face. Jose Conseco said himself that he would have never made the majors if he weren't on steroids. Younger guys in high school and college see the bar that has been set for them and they think they have to get on the juice or they'll be left in the dust. I've seen it with my own eyes and I know how messed up guys can get when they're on this stuff. And I've read about some young guys whose minds were so out of whack that when they realized for sure they wouldn't make the majors, they committed suicide. Someday I might have a son who plays sports and I think I'll appreciate the steroid ban even more when that time comes. OC: If you caught today's paper, you would have noticed that Selig issued an even harsher penalty for first-time steroid offenders. The player would now miss one-third of the season - a major setback. Getting steroids out completely is essential for the health of the players as well as the high school/college athletes who aspire to reach that level of play.

I'm coming around to Lance's view on this. The differences in today's ballplayers vs. 50 or 75 years ago make the historical comparison impossible anyway. A look at the equipment (lighter ball, better bats, far superior gloves) changes, field condition, and the financial bonanza just for making the show have changed the game and use of players fundamentally. MLB is a business and has never drawn more spectators than it does today and the current steroids "scandal" won't inhibit it in the least. Baseball is successful because it is entertaining, and it's good TV, every year it becomes moreso. When the Dodgers play the Giants, the stadium is full. Ditto: Yankees/Mets or Red Sox (soon the Orioles), White Sox/Cubs, etc. I really don't care how many home runs Bonds, McGuire and Sosa have hit, there will never be another Babe Ruth. Ruth introduced America to the home run, and the typical American fan loves to see the ball go flying out of ballparks just as he loves to see spectacular athletes slam-dunking the ball in the face of the opponent. Most pro sports are successful because they provide to their fan the visual spectacle he craves. Why are not soccer and hockey as successful as baseball, football and basketball? Because there is no equivalent to the home run in those sports and, if there is, it doesn't occur frequently enough.

I say legalize steroids, let the adult athletes incur the risks of taking these substances while properly moderating them under a physician's care and let us see our 70+ homer seasons and 20+ strike out games just like we enjoy watching cars go around a track at 230 MPH. No one has successfully explained to me why it is so important to keep steroids out of baseball. For what? To preserve some ancient record that is completely dated? Times change, the game changes and we should be able to understand the stats when they were put up and not be so committed to their preservation above all else.

At least the players have something to scratch.

Getting steroids out of baseball is like trying to get Terrell Owens to shut his mouth. There are so many punishments and consequences you can establish, but in the end, they will always be there. Bud Selig's policy is very good, but it is still too light. For first time offenders, it should be an immediate 162 game suspension, including playoffs. And if a player is tested positive during the season, the suspension should carry over into the following season.

They are on there way with this one. 1st offense: 50 Games, 2nd offense: 100 games, 3rd offense: Life time band with the possiblity of reinstatement after 2 years. If the players can't get a clue after the first time...