Steroids questions linger for Selig, By: Dave Boling
March 11th, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. – Had he been tested Saturday, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig might have registered particularly high testosterone levels.
He’s not happy and appeared eager to emphasize it.
Selig regularly pops up in press boxes during spring training, making himself available for brief exposure to the media.
The timing of Saturday’s Mariners-Angels game was appropriate for Selig since Los Angeles outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. has been in the news since his name arose in an investigation of illegal shipments of human growth hormone.
Angels owner Arte Moreno, who committed $50 million over five years to Matthews, has urged the player to come forward and address the issue.
But Matthews has remained silent, communicating only through legal counsel.
“Arte and I are absolutely on the same page,” Selig said. “I understand the entire matter is under investigation, so I’d like to say more. But, obviously, I have significant concerns.”
Selig touted baseball’s drug-testing program as the “toughest in American sports.”
“There was this feeling for years that we tried to sweep it under the rug,” Selig said. “We didn’t. Today, look, I think everybody knows how we feel. … I hate doing this; we’ve got so many good things to talk about, but we’re spending 15 minutes talking about this. On the other hand, there’s no repression going on here. We’re not making believe that this isn’t happening. This is being realistically handled by Major League Baseball and the Angels.”
Selig said he expected some resolution of the matter before opening day.
“This is an issue we’ve confronted and we need to continue to confront,” he said. “This sport needs to continue to move away from all this.”
Mariners 10, Angels 4
Mariners starter Miguel Batista gave up five hits and one earned run in three innings of Seattle’s victory against Los Angeles.
“I missed my location a couple times and it cost me a run,” Batista said, “and I didn’t execute my game plan.”
But he was pleased with the movement of his pitches.
The Mariners got home runs from Jose Guillen and Rey Ordońez, the first of the spring for both. Willie Bloomquist continued his hot streak, going 2-for-3 with a third-inning triple. Bloomquist has nine hits in 20 spring at-bats.
“Jose Guillen swung the bat very well today,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “He’s had the last three or four days off with a strained (biceps). He probably has the best pure swing we have on the club.”
Few surprises for Hargrove
Asked if he’d had any major surprises this spring, Hargrove said not much has shocked him.
“No, not really,” he said. “But I’ve been really pleased with (left-handers Eric) O’Flaherty and (Ryan) Feierabend; they’re both young kids who have thrown the ball well and shown good composure on the mound. And Hernandez …”
That would be Felix Hernandez, who was expected to shine but still has been a pleasant surprise for his level of fitness and conditioning.
Others?
“Willie Bloomquist made some adjustments at the plate that really seem to have paid off and will hopefully continue. He’s having a good spring.”
Short hops
Hargrove cited the dedication of injured third baseman Adrian Beltre (sore left shoulder), who has been working hard in the batting cage every morning “… at his own insistence.” Beltre is expected to be ready to play today. … Right-hander Brandon Morrow, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2006, saw his second action of the spring. Morrow struck out the first two batters he faced and gave up no hits in two innings. “The kid came in and threw the ball really well,” Hargrove said of Morrow. “He’s got the kind of ability that could be ready to pitch in the big leagues fairly quickly. How soon that will be is going to be up to him.”
On tap
Seattle, with left-hander Horacio Ramirez starting, plays host to the Chicago White Sox, who will start right-hander Adam Russell, at today. The game will be broadcast on 1000-AM.
