All apologies to Mark Prior

• Yahoo! News: Prior not amused by steroid talk (opens in a new window)

All apologies to Mark Prior for a radio interview taken to the next level. But if the unintentional Prior-steroid connection (made by yours truly) is any indication of the pervading feelings in the baseball world today, then it is obvious the MLB Players Association needs to nip this in the bud for the sake of all players.

Until the testing system is publicly accepted as valid and useful, this sort of speculation and potential blow-up can be expected at every turn. If I were Prior and were clean but I still fell under suspicion because of others, I also would be pretty upset.

I would be upset at those linking my name with steroids. But more than that, I would be frustrated with the Players Association and Major League Baseball for not addressing this issue immediately and with finality.

None of us want the game tainted with the suspicion of cheating.

I know firsthand how much power the leadership of the Players Association has over the voice of the players. I haven't been in the mix recently, but I think it's about time for the players to stand up and make themselves heard on this issue.

There has to be some pride-swallowing here.

Anyone who has read my columns on Yahoo! Sports knows that I am pro-player, probably to a fault – and I am sick of the "juiced ball" and steroid theories that attempt to discount the accomplishments of these players. It's time to silence the naysayer and move on.

Until changes are made, this is just one incident that will, no doubt, be repeated often this season. Let's just hope changes are made soon.