Sandy Alderson, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of baseball operations, said for the first time Wednesday that the Reds were punished as a result of tampering charges stemming from the Ken Griffey Jr. trade in 2000.

        “I headed the investigation,” Alderson said. “It was taken care of.”

        John Allen, the Reds' chief operating officer, acknowledged the club was punished but would not comment on details.

        Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, began his talks with the Reds before the teams agreed on the trade. Under baseball's rules, teams must agree to a trade, then ask the commissioner's office for a 72-hour window allowing the player to negotiate with the acquiring team.

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden had no comment on the punishment. Goldberg was out of the office Wednesday.

Reds 4, Rockies 3 Reds box, runs Barely hundred fans at finish Small crowds could mean big trouble for Reds Baseball owners push deal to avert strike Reds broke even last year, baseball says SULLIVAN: Baseball's future lies in balance Owners pitch luxury tax 'Middle-class' players could prove to be key Reds fined for tampering with Griffey No date set on Griffey's return Reds Notebook: Kearns earns playing time Yankees 8, Athletics 5 Angels 10, Mariners 6 Cubs 10, Giants 4 Expos 5, Brewers 4, 15 innings

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