Major League Baseball has been tainted by the widespread use of steroids by its players. The use of steroids to enhance players' performances is widely acknowledged to have gone on since the 1990s. Former commissioner Fay Vincent issued an order banning the use of steroids and performance enhancers in 1991, but Major League Baseball did not begin testing its players for steroid use until 2004.
Baseball Bans Steroids
Major League Baseball first addressed the potential impact of steroids in 1991, when commissioner Fay Vincent announced that steroids were on MLB's list of banned substances. "The possession, sale or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by Major League players or personnel is strictly prohibited," said Vincent in a seven-page statement. "This prohibition applies to all illegal drugs ... including steroids." While Vincent said that players who used steroids would be penalized and could also seek treatment, no testing plan was mentioned.
Baseball Begins Minor League Testing
While Major League Baseball and the MLB Players' Association did not agree to test major league players, MLB started testing its minor league players in 2001. All players who were not on a team's 40-man major league roster were subject to tests for steroids, performance-enhancing drugs, and other drugs. The original penalties were 15 games for the first offense, 30 games for a second, 60 games for a third, one year for a fourth, and a lifetime ban for a fifth offense.
Steroid Testing for MLB Players
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players' Association came to an agreement in June 2004 to test its players for all banned substances, including steroids. Players were given anonymity and access to treatment programs for failing a first test, and subject to punitive measures for following offenses. Players who fail a second test are suspended for 50 games, a third test failure merits a 100-game suspension, and a fourth test failure results in a lifetime ban.
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