It's nice to see that Major League Baseball is moving forward with a much more serious steroid policy. Although the penalties may seem harsh, for something that can so drastically change the game, players who break these rules should face stiff consequences. Here's a quick summary of the new policy from Orioles Hangout:

The league and players union have agreed on a new steroids policy which closely resembles the one that commissioner Bud Selig proposed in April. The new policy would suspend a player for 50 games on a first positive test, 100 for a second and a life-time ban for a third; although, he could seek reinstatement after two years. Players will now be tested once during spring training physicals, another time during the season and one time in the off season, they also could be randomly tested other times. If any of the twelve players who were already suspended for steroids were to test positive again they would only be suspended for 50 games due to the major change in policy. Another big change in the policy is that players will now be tested for amphetamines, a first positive would results in an immediate follow-up, a second would result in a 25 game suspension, a third in an 80 game suspension and a fourth in a life-time ban. However, the new rules do not include testing for human growth hormones, as Selig said he doesn't believe that current blood tests are reliable enough.

By the way Pat: I'll never admit Brady Anderson did steroids...because he didn't.