MLB Makes Example of Young Player

This is an article from: The Boston Globe

Don’t underestimate the message sent by Bud Selig and Major League Baseball last week when Atlanta Braves prospect Jordan Schafer was suspended 50 days for a human growth hormone violation. While details are sketchy as to whether Schafer took it or bought it, Selig’s new investigative unit apparently means business.

The emphasis seems to be on high-profile younger players because MLB wants the next generation of players to be super clean.

A baseball official said, “There are some players who might think that the Mitchell Report is out, ‘I’m not in it, I won’t get caught now.’ They’d better think twice about feeling that way.”

Because there is no accepted test (by Major League Baseball) for HGH, there’s no way a player can test positive. But there are paper trails, tips, and other evidence that investigators deal with daily.

The official said the unit “is acting on everything” that implicates anyone in current or past use, which is why MLB wants to discuss the contents of Jose Canseco’s latest book with him. It’s no secret that Canseco’s first book sparked the interest of George Mitchell.

While Canseco has hinted strongly in recent interviews that he’s holding back information, the latest claims in his book, “Vindicated,” are that he injected Tigers superstar Magglio Ordonez and that he gave Alex Rodriguez the name of a steroid distributor.

Selig is acting on the recommendations in the Mitchell Report, one of which was to form an investigative unit to look into drug use by players. It started work in December.

“Without a test, anyone taking HGH feels they can get away with it as long as they hide the paper trail,” said the official. “I think this unit is going to find ways to put the pieces together. They are very diligent, and if they suspect someone of use, they’re going to put a case together.”

The unit, according to baseball sources, was “very active” in spring training in investigating leads. The Schafer case started in spring training, but it wasn’t until last week that MLB felt it had enough evidence to issue punishment.

So many players have taken a post-Mitchell Report attitude of “putting this behind us” or the ever-popular “turning the page.” But MLB isn’t turning any page. Late last week, MLB and the Players Association came to an agreement on an independent overseer of the drug-testing program. This is a major concession by the association, which has been very protective of players’ rights and privacy. Recent pressure from Congress and the public surely has made the union far more cooperative.

Under the new way of doing business, which was another recommendation of the Mitchell Report, Dr. Bryan Smith, a longtime confidant and friend of Selig, would continue in his role as independent administrator of the testing program. Smith would not be tied strictly to Selig but would answer to both him and the union.

The Mitchell Report also recommended more offseason testing, which will be a nuisance to players and costly to MLB. There will be 600 more tests overall, 375 more in the offseason. Independent testing, though, still hasn’t been agreed on.

“We are extremely disappointed that Jordan has violated the Commissioner’s Performance-Enhancing Drug Policy,” said Braves GM Frank Wrenn. “We are supportive of the program and continue to educate all of our players.”