Baseball to probe alleged steroid use

March 30, 2006, KGET News.com

Major League Baseball will begin a formal investigation into alleged steroid use by current and former players.

,Commissioner Bud Selig has selected former U.S. Senator George Mitchell to head the panel that has been formed in the wake of the book "Game of Shadows," which has illustrated detailed steroid use by San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds and others.

"The recent book has amplified the allegation and raises ethical issues that must be confronted head on," said Selig reading from a statement during a news conference on Thursday.

According to the book, written by reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams of the San Francisco Chronicle, Bonds began using steroids after the 1998 season because of his jealousy stemming from the attention that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa garnered during their chase, and eventual passing, of Roger Maris' single-season home run mark.

Bonds eventually broke McGwire's mark of 70 after he belted 73 homers during the 2001 season. He has continuously denied knowingly taking steroids and has even attempted legal action against the recently released book.

Major League Baseball has been constantly battling the alleged use of steroids for some time now, and in November, announced a new steroid policy with stricter penalties for offenders.

Despite the new "three strikes and you're out policy," the records set in the recent past, the BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative) investigation that led to the allegations and the recently-released book have prompted Selig's interest in determining the facts surrounding the controversy.

"The unique circumstances surrounding BALCO and the evidence revealed in a recently published book has convinced me that Major League Baseball must undertake an investigation of the allegations that players associated with BALCO have used illegal performance-enhancing substances," Selig continued.

Mitchell, a senator from Maine from 1980-95 and the Senate Majority Leader from 1989-95, has had extensive investigative experience, starting with his time as a United States attorney. He also headed the investigation into the improper bidding process for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002, and his recommendations were adopted by the United States Olympic Committee.

"I have asked Senator Mitchell to attempt to determine, as a factual matter, whether any Major League players associated with BALCO, or otherwise, used steroids or other illegal performance-enhancing substances at any point after the substances were banned by the 2002-2006 collective bargaining agreement," Selig stated.

"The goal here is to determine facts, not engage in supposition, speculation, rumor or innuendo.

"Should Senator Mitchell uncover material suggesting the scope of this investigation needs to be broader, he has my permission to expand the investigation and to follow the evidence wherever it may lead."

Mitchell is currently a director with the Boston Red Sox.

"The allegations that Major League players had used steroids and other illegal performance-enhancing drugs caused fans and observers to question the integrity of play at the highest level of our national game," Mitchell said. "Those allegations require close scrutiny."

"We will strive to complete an investigation that is thorough, objective and fair. Our mission will be to gather facts, not conjecture.

"We will provide those whose reputations have been, or might be called into question, by these allegations a fair opportunity to be heard."

Mitchell also asked anyone who has information to come forward and asked for the cooperation of all those who will be contacted.

Both Selig and Mitchell stressed the integrity of the game as the reason for this investigation, and added that the former senator will have complete authority in the matter.

"I've been assured by the commissioner that I will have complete independence and discretion as to the manner in which this investigation will be conducted, and that I will have unhindered authority to follow the evidence wherever it might lead."

If Mitchell does uncover new evidence of steroid use by certain players, particularly before 2002, it is uncertain whether Major League Baseball can or will take action since the drug policy was not in effect.

Baseball's drug policy did not have any bite prior to last summer when the owners and union, thanks to pressure from Congress, negotiated a new plan.

The new penalties include a 50-game suspension for first-time offenders, 100- game suspension for a second offense and a lifetime ban for a third violation. Players banned for life will have the opportunity to seek reinstatement after two years.

Also, the new policy will include random testing for amphetamines. First time offenders for amphetamines will have to undergo mandatory evaluation and follow-up testing. Subsequent positive tests will carry suspension of 25 games, 80 games and up to a lifetime ban.

The former penalties for steroid use called for a 10-day suspension for a first offense, a 30-day ban for a second violation and 60-day penalty for a third offense. The penalty for a fourth positive test was a one-year ban and the penalty for a fifth offense was left to the commissioner's discretion. There was no penalty for amphetamine use.

In an ironic twist Thursday, BALCO founder Victor Conte was released from a California prison following a four-month term on the heels of his guilty plea in a steroid distribution scheme that involved numerous athletes.