Lowell and the Writers

Mike Lowell addressed the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, and here's what he had to say in regards to a blood test for human growth hormone, something Houston Astro Lance Berkman came out 100% in favor

"If it's 99 percent accurate, that's going to be seven false positives," the Red Sox third baseman said Thursday before the annual dinner of the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. "Ninety-three percent is 70 guys. That's almost three whole rosters.

"You're destroying someone's reputation. What if one of the false positives is Cal Ripken? Doesn't it put a black mark on his career?"

I have to admit, the guy's got a point. It was refreshing, in a way, to see someone like Berkman come out and unabashedly advocate a blood test to clear the sport's name, but leave it to a man like Lowell to be the cooler head prevailing. A blood test might work, sure, and it might not. The number of potential false positives is disheartening, to the point where it may not seem worth the effort. Yet, if handled correctly, a blood testing program could be incredibly beneficial.

Say they institute a test with the oversight of USADA and WADA. A positive test by a player could lead automatically to ameeting with both MLB and USADA, simultaneously. The player could then be given a chance to clear his name and explain his position. If it turns out to have been a true positive, the player, upon confession, could return to play without any penalty or stoppage of playing time on the condition that further positive tests would result in suspension. Players with false positives could be given a chance to disprove the test, with no immediate disciplinary action forthcoming. 

It isn't a perfect system, but at the moment it's better than the available options.