Barry Bonds and the Players Union

It was announced yesterday that Bud Selig will have former Senator George Mitchell investigte the "steroid era" and Barry Bonds in particular. One of the criticisms I've heard about such a investigation is that even if Mitchell finds something on Bonds that the Commissioner would be powerless to do anything. I disagree.

The main thing that protects players these days is the Players Association (please note - an association not a union). If I recall correctly - Barry Bonds is not a member of the players union. My understanding is that Bonds, back when he was riding high in the saddle, opted out of the Players Association because he wanted sole monetary rights to his name and image and did not want to share the wealth so to speak.

How great would it be if Barry's decision to opt out of the Players Association - a decision born out of ego and greed - comes back to bite him in the ass regarding his decision to be the biggest steroids cheat in history (another decision born out of ego and greed)?

Kenesaw Mountain Landis suspended the Chicago eight in the wake of the 1919 Black Sox scandal and there was no appeal mainly because there was no Players Association to stick up for them. Barry also does not have a Players Association to stick up for him and in my opinion he is less deserving of an appeal process than Buck Weaver.

Without the Players Association - Bonds is basically an employee at will with a contract. If MLB pays off the final year of the contract - why wouldn't they be able to ban Bonds "in the best interest of the game"? Kenesaw Mountain Selig - time to do your job.