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Major League, players in accord on steroids

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 November 2005, 17:20 CST

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)

Source: REUTERS

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