Although a policy was now in place, criticism over it's effectiveness began almost immediately. Many in the media described the policy as "lacking teeth" meaning the policy wasn't tough enough. The integrity of the game and public confidence was still being questioned.

In 2004 two former Major League ballplayers admitted using performance enhancing drugs during their careers: Ken Cameniti and Jose Canseco. In his book "Juiced," Canseco accused some of his former teammates of using drugs while Ken Cameniti estimated that 50% of the current ballplayers use performance enhancing drugs.

As growing criticism in the media over the current drug policy began mounting, a number of politicians began calling upon Congress to intervene. In March 2005 a number of ballplayers as well as Commissioner Bud Selig testified in front of a Congresional Hearing on the issue of steroids in baseball. Although no official findings were announced, Congress harshly criticized Major League Baseball for it's past handling on this issue as well as condemned it's current drug policy.

In May 2005, facing the possibility of federal legislation being inacted which would create manditory drug testing in professional sports, Commissioner Selig proposed a new tougher drug policy which would include a 50 and 100 game suspensions for the first two violations. A third violation would result in a lifetime banishment from professional baseball. Player Union Director Donald Fehr stated he would be open to talks, but felt this issue should be negotiated as part of a collective bargaining deal. It should be noted that in 2005 eleven Major League ballplayers served 10 game suspensions while 82 minor leaguers served 10 games suspensions.

The long term impact of performance enhancing drugs in baseball is still unclear. Has the integrity of the game and public confidence been permanently undermined? Already being called into question are the legitimacy of several achievements obtained within the recent past. Permanently skewed also are the records and statistics which traditionally have been so much apart of the game. Like the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, will this Scandal see any ballplayers serve lifetime banishments?