Monday, July 08, 2002
Survey: Players favor steroid testing
The Associated Press
McLEAN, Va. Seventy-nine percent of major league players would agree to independent testing for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, according to a survey by USA Today.
Forty-four percent of players in the newspaper's survey, published in Monday's editions, said they felt pressure to take steroids.
I don't have a problem with getting tested because I have nothing to hide, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was quoted as saying. Steroids are a big issue. If anything like a home run or any injury happens, people say it's steroids. That's not fair.
While owners have proposed testing for steroids, the players' association has traditionally resisted random testing, saying it would violate individual rights.
Just 17 percent of the players polled back the union's stance, USA Today said. Of 750 players polled from June 12-23, 556 responded to at least one question, the newspaper said.
Earlier this year, former MVPs Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti admitted using steroids.
People should know that players are working hard, Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi was quoted as saying. They have trainers. They have people helping them plan their diets, even cooking for them. You can't just take a pill and expect to hit home runs. You have to have talent. Steroids don't help you hit a baseball.
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