Posted on 11/13/2003 8:25:38 PM PST by NormsRevenge
NEW YORK (AP) -- The test results are in, and they confirmed what many in baseball suspected: Some players were taking more than vitamins.
Now, Major League Baseball will begin penalizing players for steroid use after learning that more than 5 percent of this year's tests came back positive.
Rumors regarding steroids had run high recently as bulked-up sluggers set all sorts of home run records.
Stars such as Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa denied taking the drugs. But former MVPs Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti admitted they had done it before their careers ended.
``Hopefully, this will, over time, allow us to completely eradicate the use of performance enhancement substances in baseball,'' commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday.
MLB said of 1,438 anonymous tests this season, between 5 and 7 percent were positive.
``There's a slight disagreement to where in that spectrum the exact number falls,'' said Gene Orza, the No. 2 official of the players' association. ``It's a technical disagreement to the interpretation of the results.''
Under baseball's labor contract that took effect on Sept. 30, 2002, testing with penalties begins after any season in which more than 5 percent of survey tests are positive. And from now on, players who test positive will be identified to the commissioner's office and the union.
Starting next year, a first positive test for steroid use would result in treatment and a second in a 15-day suspension or fine of up to $10,000.
The length of penalties would increase to a 25-day suspension or fine of up to $25,000 for a third positive test, a 50-day suspension or fine of up to $50,000 for a fourth and a one-year suspension or fine of up to $100,000 for a fifth. The suspensions would be without pay.
New York Mets reliever Mike Stanton didn't think steroid use had been that widespread.
``It does surprise me a little bit,'' he said. ``But the tests don't lie.''
The newly discovered steroid THG was not tested for, and baseball cannot retest because the samples weren't saved. But it already has been added to the banned list for next year.
The NFL, NBA and NCAA test for banned steroids and other prohibited substances, but the NHL does not. For substances other than steroids, baseball tests a player only if doctors agree there is cause.
``A positive rate of 5 percent is hardly the sign that you have rampant use of anything,'' said Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations. ``From our perspective, it's still a problem. We'd like to be at zero.''
Baseball has been testing players with minor league contracts for drugs since 2001 and in September announced that testing would expand to Latin American prospects next year.
``As a pitcher, I think it would be nice if they did get everybody who is on steroids and did get them off it,'' Oakland's Tim Hudson said.
Testing with penalties will continue until positive tests drop below 2.5 percent in consecutive years.
``I had no expectation one way or the other,'' Orza said. ``I did know the claims that put the pressure on the players to address this problem the way they did were wildly inflated.''
Said Minnesota outfielder Dustan Mohr: ``I'm kind of surprised it's not higher.''
``I think it's less than what people might think, but when you see a guy who puts on 20 pounds of solid muscle, it kind of raises your eyebrows,'' he said.
Some players, notably on the Chicago White Sox, had called for even more stringent testing.
``I guess if people want it bad enough they find their way around the system,'' Oakland pitcher Ted Lilly said. ``There's still other supplements and aids out there that aren't exactly steroids. If there's anything out there that can help, I'd imagine players would find it.''
Updated on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 10:53 pm EST
 |
| Thu Nov 13,10:24 PM ET |
|
Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig listens to a question from a reporter during a news conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003. Selig said the future of the Montreal Expos is still uncertain and assured that the relocation committee has not ruled out any option for 2004. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) |
 |
| Fri Nov 14, 8:48 AM ET |
|
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is shown in this Feb. 6, 2003 photo. Starting next year, steroid users in baseball will be subject to suspensions or fines. 'Hopefully, this will, over time, allow us to completely eradicate the use of performance enhancement substances in baseball,' Selig said. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) |
Let's hope so; I can't stand the SOB. ....one of the worst guys in all pro sports, and the ultimate 'roid-head. A few months ago he even said that his career #'s should make people forget about Babe Ruth real fast. ....But let's take a closer look at some of those lifetime #'s:
Batting Ave -- Ruth: .342, Bonds: .297
On base % -- Ruth: .474, Bonds, .433
Slugging % -- Ruth: .690, Bonds: .602
HR's (per 162 games) -- Ruth: 46, Bonds: 41
RBI's (per 162 games) -- Ruth 143, Bonds: 110
....and that's just for starters.
And, of course, Ruth's diet didn't contain the same "nutritional" benefits as Bonds'. ....unless it's discovered one day that hot dogs and beer gives one an unfair performance advantage.
Little wonder that no one takes him seriously.
Barry Bonds is a creep. I too recall his moronic ridiculing of the legacy of Ruth, and his delusion that the name "Barry Bonds" won't soon be associated mostly with designer stealth-steroids, a Darth Vader-sized cranium, big stupid mouth, and NO Championship Ring.
"And, of course, Ruth's diet didn't contain the same 'nutritional' benefits as Bonds'. ....unless it's discovered one day that hot dogs and beer gives one an unfair performance advantage."
Heh -- could have. Based on the "vitamins" David Wells uses...
Yes, but after the impending muscle-shrinkage will Bonds begin to take on the physical form of a Charms Blowpop? I don't see how his 30" circumference cranial skill would shrink after ending his ten-year steroid binge.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.