Posted on 06/10/2002 7:07:33 PM PDT by GeneD
WASHINGTON -- Congress is going to look into steroid use in baseball, following the recent disclosure that two former league MVPs used the muscle-building drugs.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said Monday he plans to hold a hearing that also will look at steroid use in the Olympics and among college athletes. Dorgan is chairman of the consumer affairs, foreign commerce and tourism subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee.
"Everybody knows how damaging use of these steroids are to athletes' health," Dorgan said. "We've got an issue to face as a country, not just among baseball players, but also with college sports and our Olympic athletes."
No date has been set for the hearing. Dorgan said he plans to invite baseball executives, players and union representatives.
Lucy Calautti, a Washington-based baseball lobbyist who once served as Dorgan's chief of staff, and Greg Bouris, spokesman for the Major League Baseball Players Association, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Steroids have become a major topic in baseball since former MVPs Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco admitted using the drugs. Caminiti retired last year, and Canseco ended his 17-year career this spring.
It's unclear how many current players take steroids. Canseco told The Wall Street Journal up to 85 percent took the drugs when he played, though current players such as Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine say that estimate is far too high.
The NFL and NBA prohibit steroids and test for them, but major league baseball does not. Baseball owners would like to add steroid testing into the new collective bargaining agreement.
Minor league baseball players who test positive for steroid use can be banned.
Sometimes, I get the feeling we don't agree on Political Strategy all the time, but I've never argued with your instinctive political principles...GET THE FEDS OUT OF OUR HAIR (and pass the savings back to those of us carrying the freight!!)
FReegards...MUD
I just wanted to see that repeated! Have a hunch this is just the tip of the iceberg of useless hearings these folks conduct. Might be a worthwhile project to make a list of all the worthless hearings wasting our tax dollars. They seem to forget who pays the bills! Time for Congress to downsize or should I say way past time!
It's already damn close...sure, I check out the A's box score every morning, but I can't remember the last time I sat down and actually watched an entire regular season game. If they have a work stoppage this year, I'm gonna just say to heck with them.
A's are showing some life though...MUD
The simple truth they choose to ignore is that when your profession involves being really big & strong, and most of the other guys you compete against take this junk, you'll be tempted to use it too... or fall behind.
But there is no joy in Mudville,
for baseball has struck out."
Mud, you grew up in Mudville, did you not?
If they really want to look into Baseball they could look into junking its Anti-Trust exemption....
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