Perlozzo testifies in steroid probe, By: David Ginsburg

06-21-06

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo testified Wednesday in a probe headed by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell to investigate the use of steroids in baseball.

Perlozzo and strength coach Tim Bishop were among those on the coaching staff who were in line to be interviewed. Investigators intend to speak with staff members of all 30 teams this summer.

Perlozzo did not reveal details of the questions - or answers - that were given during his 2-hour interview with a representative of Mitchell.

"I answered the questions that were asked honestly," Perlozzo said before Baltimore hosted the Florida Marlins. "This is one step in a long series of interviews. Everyone in Major League Baseball is going to get interviewed, so whenever that's all finished, they can come to whatever conclusion they get out of it."

Perlozzo insists that the Orioles inform their players of the dangers of drugs, and that investigators have not singled out Baltimore in their probe.

"I'm just doing whatever is needed to be done," he said. "It bothers that people associate (this) with the Baltimore Orioles. It's not fair to us. I can guarantee you we do our part in educating our players, talking to our players, feeding them information that they need to know."

Mike Flanagan, the Orioles' executive vice president for baseball operations, echoed those sentiments in a statement he read.

"The Orioles have been diligent in educating our players at both major league and minor league levels on not using steroids and other performance-enhancing substances," he said. "We will vigorously continue our efforts in this regard."

Flanagan refused to shed any light on the interviews that were conducted Wednesday.

"Major League Baseball has requested that all interviews of all personnel of major league clubs be treated as confidential until such time as Senator Mitchell issues his report," he said.