Friday, June 21, 2002
Owners make steroid-testing pitch in talks
Baseball notebook
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Baseball players and owners discussed management's plan to test for steroids and other drugs during Thursday's negotiating session.
Steroid use has become a hot topic in recent weeks as former MVPs Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco have admitted using the drug and accused other players of doing it, too.
Owners would like to add steroid testing into the new collective bargaining agreement. Union head Donald Fehr told Congress on Tuesday that testing players without cause would violate their privacy.
“For me, it doesn't matter,” said Minnesota Twins outfielder Jacque Jones, who attended the meeting. “They can come and test me anytime they want. I'm sure there are some guys who would have a problem with that.”
In March, owners proposed a plan that called for three random tests a year for every player. The tests would cover performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
There is drug testing in the NBA, NFL, NCAA and Olympics, but not in baseball. Minor league players currently can be tested, but anyone on a 40-man roster is immune from the process.
The owners are still awaiting a counteroffer from the players, who mostly asked questions about management's plan during Thursday's three-hour meeting.
“We had a long discussion about drug testing, steroids in particular,” said management negotiator Rob Manfred. “I won't characterize the discussion other than to say that they did not make a proposal.”
The sides will meet again next Wednesday and Thursday.
EXPOS: Carl Pavano could only blame himself for his trip back to the minors. Pavano, 3-8 with a 6.30 ERA in 14 starts and one relief appearance this season for Montreal, was optioned to Triple-A Ottawa.
“I'm pretty honest with myself, so I think they gave me more than enough chances to get out of the situation I've been putting myself into,” Pavano said.
MARINERS: Seattle shortstop Carlos Guillen will be arraigned July 9 on a drunken driving charge.
Guillen, 26, has not made a court appearance or discussed the traffic stop last Thursday in neighboring Clyde Hill. The charge was filed Tuesday in Kirkland (Wash.) Municipal Court, and the arraignment date set on Wednesday.
After being clocked at 89 mph, 29 mph over the limit, Guillen submitted to a portable breath test that indicated his blood alcohol level was .093, higher than the state's legal threshold of .08.
He also submitted to a field sobriety test and was arrested, but after trying to call club officials, his agent and two teammates for advice, Guillen refused to take a Breathalyzer test.
Guillen, hitless in three at-bats Wednesday night, is batting .293 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs. He ranks fourth among AL shortstops in voting for the All-Star game, which will be played at Miller Park in Milwaukee on July 9 — the same date as Guillen's arraignment.
YANKEES: New York ace Roger Clemens was hit in the right arm by a line drive Thursday and forced to leave in the fifth inning against Colorado.
Clemens was injured when Juan Pierre's single struck him on the right forearm. Clemens retrieved the ball and threw to first, but had a large welt on his arm.
He tried to throw a couple of practice pitches, but left for the clubhouse after talking to manager Joe Torre and a trainer.
Clemens also was struck in the fourth, on the backside by Juan Uribe's one-hop single.
Clemens had allowed two runs on five hits in four innings before being hurt. He left with a 7-1 lead, but Colorado rallied off the Yankees bullpen for a 14-11 victory.
CUBS: Chicago called up outfielder-infielder Angel Echevarria from Class AAA Iowa and sent infielder Augie Ojeda to the same club.
Echevarria, who has played in the majors with Colorado and Milwaukee, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent last December. In 278 major league games, he has a .274 average with 18 homers and 69 RBI.
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Owners make steroid-testing pitch in talks
