Drug Testing Topic Back in Spotlight in Bay Area

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy becomes uneasy each time he is called to the bathroom for a random drug test, even though he knows he is completely clean.

McCarthy can't help but become slightly paranoid, fearing a mistake could land him a suspension and alter his career path - if not end it altogether.

He and his A's teammates talked about Major League Baseball's drug testing program in the aftermath of pitcher Bartolo Colon's 50-game suspension for testosterone Wednesday, the second such penalty for a prominent Bay Area player in the span of a week. All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera of the Giants received his Aug. 15 after he tested positive for testosterone.

With performance-enhancing drugs suddenly making bigger headlines than pennant races, some are calling for even stiffer punishments.