Mike Jacobs' Positive HGH Test: What It Means for the MLB

For the first time in the history of North American professional sports, an athlete has tested positive for HGH. That athlete is Mike Jacobs, a minor leaguer for the Colorado Rockies.

Jacobs said he took HGH because he was trying to recover from knee and back problems. He has already apologized to his family, friends, the Rockies organization, MLB and its fans.

Once he was tested, Jacobs said he immediately realized his mistake and stopped taking HGH. Jacobs has to serve a 50-game suspension as a result of his positive test.

Jacobs had been playing for the Rockies Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs. He had been having a good season, batting .298 with 23 home runs and 97 RBI.

After his positive test, the Colorado Rockies released Jacobs.

Testing for HGH is currently part of the drug testing agreement for the MLB, but it is being discussed. This positive test will likely lead to a much bigger push for HGH testing to be included in the next collective bargaining agreement.

Baseball has already gone through enough issues with its steroid problems. Many people also have believed that players moved on to HGH from steroids after the MLB began testing for steroids.

Jacobs' positive test shows that HGH is being used by baseball players and it likely is a problem. While Jacobs is the first player who has actually tested positive for HGH, he is not the first player who has been connected to it.

In 2008, Jordan Schafer was suspended for HGH use despite the fact that the MLB did not have any testing in place that could detect its use.

Baseball began testing for HGH in the minors during the 2010 season.

With one positive test already, it would not be surprising if more players eventually test positive. The MLB has already begun to clear up some of the issues it has had with steroids, there is no need for more issues to arise from HGH.

It is important that the MLB addresses any potential issues with HGH as soon as they possibly can. The NFL has added HGH blood testing to its new collective bargaining agreement and after Mike Jacobs' positive test, there is no reason why the MLB should not follow suit.

Both the MLBPA and the owners should be on board for HGH testing. Just like with steroids, HGH creates an uneven playing field. For the sake of the game, HGH testing needs to be in place for Major League Baseball.