It seems to me a 50 game suspension is more like a vacation for some of these players. Sure, they lose 1/3 of their salary but if you still stand to make 18 million what's the real loss?  It isn't necessarily the HOF because without the drugs perhaps the numbers don't put them into that conversation.  What if MLB took away what every player craves... Free Agency.

First offense:  No suspension.  Void of your current contract and placed under club control, non arbitration eligible, for two years (or two additional years if not of sufficient service time).

Second offense: 1 calendar year suspension, void of current contract, and placed under club control, non arbitration eligible, for three additional years.

Third offense: Banned for life.

I don't know that this would work but I would feel better about a system like this than the one currently in place.

Once again in spite of our best efforts Bill King misses the Hall of fame. 

"Niehaus, a fixture in the Seattle Mariners' broadcast booth since they entered the American League as an expansion franchise in 1977, was named the 2008 winner of the Ford C. Frick Award on Tuesday and will be honored at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies on July 27 at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y."

There's always next year! 

Gotta love being an A's fan!

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In two weeks are beloved A's will be journeying to the land of the displaced A's fan.  I am in fact referring to the 4 games in 3 day marathon at Kaufman Stadium playing the hapless Royals August 18th, 19th and 20th.  This will again give us the chance to unite under the green and gold banner and enjoy our boys, 4 W's in the win column, and perhaps  an adult beverage or 2 (or 3 or 4).  The best oportunity for tailgating is going to be before the saturday evening game.  My plan is to get to the ballpark about 2pm in the Lot A parking lot.

If you are still needing a place to stay we got into the Radisson Downtown with a Priceline bid of $42 a night.  Nice 3 star hotel within stumbling distance of a few decent bars :)

Hope to see you there and GO A's!