Baker still on deck, in dark with steroids panel
Baker still on deck, in dark with steroids panel, By: Roman Modrowski
August 11, 2006
MILWAUKEE -- Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has met with representatives of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's committee on steroid abuse in baseball, and manager Dusty Baker likely will get a chance to reschedule his canceled meeting.
Baker was scheduled to meet with investigators Aug. 2. The New York Times reported Thursday that the meeting was canceled because of a dispute over whether Baker was allowed to bring along a personal attorney and a lawyer from the players union because he is a former player. That issue has been resolved, the Times reported.
''For whatever reason, it was canceled and rescheduled by the Mitchell committee,'' Baker said Thursday before the Cubs faced the Milwaukee Brewers. ''I had a nonrefundable ticket from my lawyer to come out. It wasn't me that canceled.
''This ain't nothing new. All I was told is that it was canceled. Now it's a major story. It's nothing. It's what it's always been.''
Baker wouldn't speculate about what the committee would like to ask him, but two subjects appear obvious: Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa. Baker managed both players and acknowledged the discussion likely would include their names.
''Yeah, probably so,'' he said. ''I don't know why Sammy's being mentioned. Barry's being investigated with the BALCO thing, but Sammy's name has never been mentioned. At this point, there are a lot of people under investigation.
''Dude, I haven't had any questions yet. How could I say what it's about? Do you really believe they would say, 'Oh, Dusty, these are the questions we're going to ask you'? I don't know. Nobody is supposed to say.''
Hendry, who wouldn't discuss his meeting, said the committee is contacting all GMs. And Baker said managers also are being interviewed.
''Damn near all of them have already,'' Baker said. ''I was one of the last ones -- as usual.''
Baker isn't sure when his meeting will take place.
''Nobody has told me anything,'' he said. ''Nothing. I didn't schedule it, and I didn't cancel it.''
