Two stories. First, this NY Times article by Buster Olney talks about baseball doctors wanting to take a stand about amphetamines and dietary supplements that act as stimulants, but were warned against it by Gene Orza of the players union. Orza has not had a chance to defend himself.

Second, Selig wants to talk to the union about banning ephedra.

I think the real problem is that uppers have been part of baseball for a long time, and that if players address the issue, they are going to shine a very poor light on themselves. From the Times article:

Amphetamines have long been used in major league baseball, as a way for players to perform better or to help them get through the long season. Many players accept their use as a part of the baseball culture, in the way they would accept a cigarette smoker or a beer drinker. They have jokingly referred to the amphetamines as greenies, for the color of some pills, or beans. A player who takes an amphetamine in preparation for a game is said to have "beaned up."

I think to get baseball players to stop with these drugs, MLB is going to have to do what it's done in the minor leagues with chewing tobacco. They've banned the use there, and send around people to educate the players on the dangers of smokeless tobacco. It's going to be tough to get a star to quit, or even accuse a star of abuse. But if minor leaguers are busted and thrown out of baseball, maybe they won't get started in the first place.

I think the ball is really in the union's court at this point. I'll be interested to see how they come down on the civil liberties vs. health issue.