MLB: It is about time the players' union cleaned up its act on doping

With a historic doping investigation about to wrap up and possible punishments on the horizion, MLB Players Association president Michael Weiner is finally on the right side of the issue, writes Gregg Patton.

Among those linked to the Florida clinic in media reports are New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez. Jason Farmer / AP Photo

Speculation is running high that MLB is close to wrapping up its investigation of drug lab Biogenesis and doling out suspensions to some 20 players as a result of the findings.

Among those linked to the Florida clinic in media reports are stars Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun and Nelson Cruz.

Media pundits are trying to figure out which pennant races this season may be affected, calculate the length of the penalties and predict whether players who appeal their punishments will complete their time before next season begins.

It is a depressing scenario all the way around. With one exception.

These days, the players union is at last on the right side of the issue. Players Association president Michael Weiner told the New York Daily News recently that the organisation will not defend obviously guilty players, but instead will urge them to "make a deal."

Weiner: "We're not interested in having players with overwhelming evidence that they violated the programme out there. We'd like to have a clean programme."

Finally. In the "old days," the union vigorously fought against the implementation of testing and defended suspected cheaters - oddly enough, usually at the expense of their members who played it straight, but rarely complained.

At long last, the clean side of the union prevails, even if it is 15 years late.

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