"If you are caught driving while intoxicated or under the influence of any illegal drug, you will be fired from The Washington Nationals organization."





That's all Mark Lerner has to write in a memo.

Tony LaRussa will be going to court soon. Jim Bowden is still wrapped up in legal problems. And Josh Hancock is dead. The threat of losing their jobs might have persuaded them each to get a ride.

There is nothing stopping the owner of a franchise from imposing such a policy. The entire culture within baseball would be altered for the better. It would be a positive story in papers nationwide. Other clubs would cite Washington's example and follow suit.

Naturally, it would make the most sense for The Cardinals organization to impose such a policy, but Josh Hancock has been dead for nearly two weeks. We've seen nothing but armbands from Anheuser-Busch Stadium.

It would be so easy to implement this policy. It would get nothing but positive press. Which Nationals player/coach/manager/general manager needs to die before we all declare that we've had a sudden epiphany?

This is something we, the fan base, could demand. If enough of us ask for this, it could happen. I have sent an email to the Nats asking for this. Will you do the same?








~~~Keith Provost~~~