[nanwynnfan]

In response to kflo: [nutshell summary from Wikipedia];

"Over most of the course of Major League Baseball, steroid testing was never a major issue. However, after the BALCO steroid scandal, which involved allegations that top baseball players had used illegal performance-enhancing drugs, Major League Baseball finally decided to issue harsher penalties for steroid users. The policy, which was accepted by Major League Baseball players and owners, was issued at the start of the 2005 season and went as follows:

"A first positive test resulted in a suspension of 10 games, a second positive test resulted in a suspension of 30 games, the third positive test resulted in a suspension of 60 games, the fourth positive test resulted in a suspension of one full year, and a fifth positive test resulted in a penalty at the commissioner’s discretion. Players were tested at least once per year, with the chance that several players could be tested many times per year. (See: List of Major League Baseball players suspended for steroids)

"This program replaced the previous steroid testing program under which, for example, no player was even suspended in 2004. Under the old policy, which was established in 2002, a first-time offense would only result in treatment for the player, and the player would not even be named. The 2005 agreement changed this rule so that first-time offenders were named and suspended."

Why is this time reference important? Well, a super sleuth like Sherlock Holmes might have become suspicious in 1998 when Mark McGwire clubbed 70 HR [with some credibility because he'd hit over 50 before] and a a bit more doubtful about Sasmmy Sosa, who had never hit more than 40, and that only one.

Some very bright sleuths, like Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe, might have done some gumshoing into Sosa's 63 and McGwire's 65 the very next year; but when McGwire was basically through with big HR production in 2000 and Sosa dropped to a more sensible 50 that year, they might heve been distracted and eased up on their vigilance.

When Sammy Sosa soared to 64 in 2001 and Barry Bonds slammed 73 in 2001, Inspector Clouseau might have noticed and reported something in the air to Inspector Dreyfus, IF anyone wanted to make accusations, gather evidence, bring charges and make the issue a headline grabber for the sanctimonious.

As stated in the Wiki bit above "the old" standard was established in 2002; AND:

1. it interpreted "cheaters;" test results NOT as a punitive measure, but one to HELP a player with a problem;

2. it preserved offending players' anonymity.

The graduated punitive policy was adopted in 2005, 4 seasons after Bonds hit 73 HR. I'm guessing by that time, fan attendance, eyeballs on tv sets, media cash flow and increased revenues to stars for endorsements had grown to a point that convinced the MLB rule-makers & power brokers that the strike of the recent past, and its negative repercussions, were history.