Shaffer
12-07-04, 08:35 PM
Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig responded to Arizona Senator John McCain's comment regarding the steroids controversy that has rocked the sport by saying he would accept help from the government if the union doesn't accept a change in the current rules.
Reuters Photo
McCain accompanied President Bush (news - web sites) to the Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia on Saturday and stressed the need for baseball to invoke stronger rules against players using performance-enhancing drugs.
Selig and Major League Baseball has received criticism from lawmakers for a loose testing policy, which was reached under the collective bargaining agreement in 2002 by the union and management. It expires following the 2006 season.
Under the policy, a first positive test for steroid use results in treatment. A second offense carries a 15-day suspension or fine of up to $10,000. A third offense is a 25-day suspension or up to a $25,000 fine and a fourth a 50-day suspension or a fine up to $50,000. A fifth positive test is either a one-year suspension or a fine of up to $100,000. All suspensions are without pay and there is no out-of-season testing.
The rules are more stringent at the minor league level. Under that policy, which is not subject to collective bargaining, there is a year-round testing program and first-time offenders are hit with a 15-day suspension without pay. Players who test positive a second time receive a 30-day suspension, and a third offense means a full season suspension without pay.
"I appreciate the support of Senator McCain on this serious issue of ridding Major League Baseball of performance enhancing substances and I am grateful for his assistance and concern," Selig said in a statement. "The illegal use of these substances is damaging our great game's credibility. It seriously threatens the health of our players; and perhaps, most damaging, it encourages our young fans to use these horrible substances.
"While I would prefer to resolve this problem directly with the Players Association and jointly implement a much stronger drug-testing policy in Major League Baseball, one modeled after our program in the minor leagues, I understand the need for swift and resolute action. I have promised to leave no stone unturned until we strengthen our drug-testing policy. If we cannot resolve this issue privately, I gladly will accept whatever help is offered by Senator McCain to achieve our ultimate goal."
It's possible President Bush could sign into law a bill by Congress mandating tougher steroid testing for MLB. Bush already signed anti-steroid legislation into law in October.
According to a published report last week, San Francisco Giants (news) slugger Barry Bonds admitted to using a clear substance and cream provided to him from his trainer, but said he didn't know they were steroids.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Bonds, a seven-time National League MVP, testified before a federal grand jury in December 2003 and that earlier that year he used both clear and cream substances provided by his personal strength trainer, Greg Anderson. According to the testimony obtained by the Chronicle, Bonds said he was told the substances were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a rubbing balm for arthritis. The substances are similar to steroids described from the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the center of a scandal.
The report in Friday's edition of the Chronicle comes one day after the newspaper reported New York Yankees (news) first baseman Jason Giambi claimed in his grand jury testimony that he took a human growth hormone in 2003 and also used steroids for at least three seasons. The Chronicle reported that Giambi testified in December 2003 that he obtained several different steroids from Anderson.
The executive board of the players' union is meeting in Phoenix this week, and the steroid issue is on the agenda.
Copyright 2004, The Sports Network
Reuters Photo
McCain accompanied President Bush (news - web sites) to the Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia on Saturday and stressed the need for baseball to invoke stronger rules against players using performance-enhancing drugs.
Selig and Major League Baseball has received criticism from lawmakers for a loose testing policy, which was reached under the collective bargaining agreement in 2002 by the union and management. It expires following the 2006 season.
Under the policy, a first positive test for steroid use results in treatment. A second offense carries a 15-day suspension or fine of up to $10,000. A third offense is a 25-day suspension or up to a $25,000 fine and a fourth a 50-day suspension or a fine up to $50,000. A fifth positive test is either a one-year suspension or a fine of up to $100,000. All suspensions are without pay and there is no out-of-season testing.
The rules are more stringent at the minor league level. Under that policy, which is not subject to collective bargaining, there is a year-round testing program and first-time offenders are hit with a 15-day suspension without pay. Players who test positive a second time receive a 30-day suspension, and a third offense means a full season suspension without pay.
"I appreciate the support of Senator McCain on this serious issue of ridding Major League Baseball of performance enhancing substances and I am grateful for his assistance and concern," Selig said in a statement. "The illegal use of these substances is damaging our great game's credibility. It seriously threatens the health of our players; and perhaps, most damaging, it encourages our young fans to use these horrible substances.
"While I would prefer to resolve this problem directly with the Players Association and jointly implement a much stronger drug-testing policy in Major League Baseball, one modeled after our program in the minor leagues, I understand the need for swift and resolute action. I have promised to leave no stone unturned until we strengthen our drug-testing policy. If we cannot resolve this issue privately, I gladly will accept whatever help is offered by Senator McCain to achieve our ultimate goal."
It's possible President Bush could sign into law a bill by Congress mandating tougher steroid testing for MLB. Bush already signed anti-steroid legislation into law in October.
According to a published report last week, San Francisco Giants (news) slugger Barry Bonds admitted to using a clear substance and cream provided to him from his trainer, but said he didn't know they were steroids.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Bonds, a seven-time National League MVP, testified before a federal grand jury in December 2003 and that earlier that year he used both clear and cream substances provided by his personal strength trainer, Greg Anderson. According to the testimony obtained by the Chronicle, Bonds said he was told the substances were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a rubbing balm for arthritis. The substances are similar to steroids described from the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the center of a scandal.
The report in Friday's edition of the Chronicle comes one day after the newspaper reported New York Yankees (news) first baseman Jason Giambi claimed in his grand jury testimony that he took a human growth hormone in 2003 and also used steroids for at least three seasons. The Chronicle reported that Giambi testified in December 2003 that he obtained several different steroids from Anderson.
The executive board of the players' union is meeting in Phoenix this week, and the steroid issue is on the agenda.
Copyright 2004, The Sports Network