A Ban that Gets It Right

 Mets closer Jenry Mejia has recorded a first, as in first player to receive a lifetime ban for failing his third drug test.  Way to go, big guy.

Mejia received an 80-game ban at the start of last season for taking steroids.  “I can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system,” he said in a statement after the penalty was handed down.  Mejia served his time, pitched in seven games for the Mets in July and promptly was suspended a second time for a second positive drug test, netting a 162-game punishment.  Strike three ended team hopes their onetime closer could come back late this season.  No word yet on if Mejia has any idea how steroids ended up in his system two more times.  Talk about bad luck

It’s a good thing for Mejia that Kenesaw Mountain Landis isn’t commissioner.  A “lifetime” band still allows Mejia to seek reinstatement for 2018.  If the commissioner’s office refuses, Mejia can then take his case to an arbitrator.  I must be a big old softy, because this process strikes me as fair, especially since news reports indicate he won’t be getting paid.  I think King Solomon would go for it while Buck Weaver and Shoeless Joe Jackson would have given anything for a deal where “lifetime” in fact means “some time.”