A couple of well-known athletes made the news during the last two weeks. Of course, I have opinions about each.

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez was “outed” by a reporter for failing a drug test way back in 2003. The test results were supposed to be confidential and were to be used to see if there were problems in Major League Baseball (MLB). But the government wanted the results, so they were turned over. While I am totally against athletes juicing up to play better, Rodriguez got the short end of the stick here.

There are 103 other baseball players who are a little nervous today because of Rodriguez being outed. They also tested positive in that 2003 test.

Baseball now has rules in place to (supposedly) keep people from taking banned substances. They didn’t in 2003. None of these players should have had their names released because their union made a deal with MLB.

Today if they fail a test, they are fair game. Suspend them for 50 games. Repeat offenders should get more time suspended (100 games). The third failure would be a lifetime ban. Anyone caught would get an asterisk by their name for any record they hold. Three strikes and you are out to use a baseball term.

Michael Phelps

It’s been the “bong” show for Phelps the last couple of weeks. The photo of Phelps with a bong quickly spread around the world.

It’s 2009, Michael. You (and your handlers) should realize that almost everyone has a phone with a camera and there’s a high probability that you will be photographed doing stupid things.

Phelps has spent his entire life training. He never had much of a chance to grow up. Now, he is attempting to experience life. He was caught “experiencing life” in South Carolina. This is his second mistake (he was caught for a DUI in 2004) so Mr. Phelps will need to “toe the line” if he hopes to continue to make big bucks with his endorsements.

I don’t really care if he uses a bong, but I do care about the effect on younger people who look up to him and think they can succeed in sports while doing drugs.