Major League, players in accord on steroids

By Steve Ginsburg

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Major League Baseball and its
players’ union, under threat of U.S. congressional
intervention, agreed on Tuesday to toughen penalties for
steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

According to a summary of the agreement, a player would
face a 50-game suspension for a first offense, a 100-game
suspension for a second and a “lifetime” expulsion for a third,
though they could apply for reinstatement after two years.

Baseball’s current sanctions are a 10-day suspension for a
first offense, 30 days for a second offense, and 60 days for a
third.

Members of Congress have accused baseball of failing to
crack down on illegal drugs, and last March some of the biggest
names in the sport were called to testify before the U.S. House
of Representatives Government Reform Committee.

Committee Chairman Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican, said
it was “gratifying” to see the deal reached after months of
often-contentious talks.

“I am a baseball fan, I always have been. There’s been a
cloud over the game I love,” he said.

“Because of our oversight, and because we’ve helped elevate
public concern about this public health crisis, there’s now a
glimpse of sunlight.”

The new deal calls for a suspension of 60-80 games for a
first offense of steroid possession, 120 games to one year for
a second offense, and a lifetime ban for a third.

Congressional aides said the agreement is to take effect
before spring training next year.

TARNISHED STARS

Baseball’s image has been tarnished recently amid
revelations of steroid use by some notable stars and younger
players.

Slugger Rafael Palmeiro, who has collected over 3,000 hits
and is approaching 600 home runs during his illustrious career,
this year became the highest-profile player to test positive
for steroids.

The Baltimore Orioles first baseman was booed mercilessly
at home and on the road and was told by the team after the
season he would no longer be a part of the ball club.

A dark cloud of suspicion over steroid use also hovers over
superstar Barry Bonds.

Sen. Jim Bunning, a Kentucky Republican and a member of
baseball’s Hall of Fame, said the accord was announced just
hours before the Senate was expected to pass a bill he
introduced to crack down on performance-enhancing drugs in
professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey.

“I hope now that the other sports leagues take note of
baseball’s lead and toughen up their own penalizes, too,”
Bunning said.

“But what matters now is whether the agreement is followed
as it has been outlined to me, other members of Congress and
the public,” said Bunning.

“From my days as a baseball player and union
representative, I know that sometimes agreements that you were
told are written in stone can somehow change and become open to
interpretation,” Bunning said. “So I and my colleagues will be
watching very closely.”

The agreement also calls for new testing procedures and
penalties for amphetamines, although those sanctions are much
less severe than those for steroids.

(Additional reporting by Tom Ferraro)