MLB trying to weasel out of Congress

[HuskyCaucasian]

MLB, Congress negotiating a deal

Sport trying to get players off subpoena list

 

Updated: 12:00 p.m. ET March 13, 2005

 

Baseball officials are trying to negotiate a way to keep some of their biggest stars from testifying in front of Congress on steroids use, Major League Baseball lawyer Stan Brand told MSNBC-TV on Saturday.

 

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing two unnamed sources, reported that in negotiations between the House Government Reform Committee and MLB, the two sides were exploring options that would change the list of players called to testify. Baseball wants to change the names to keep stars from having to face potentially embarrassing questions about steroid use.

 

The players who have been called to testify are Curt Schilling, Jason Giambi, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco and Frank Thomas.

 

One source told the Chronicle that baseball would have to more fully address criticisms of its revised drug testing policy.

 

"I think there is an opportunity to avoid that kind of personal embarrassment and exposure, but there has to be an agreement once and for all to ensure that the testing policy has integrity," said Rep. John Sweeney, a New York Republican whose district includes the home of the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, told the paper.

 

Baseball owners and players representatives have said that the sport would fight the subpoenas.

 

The paper reported that the witness list could change if baseball "acknowledges the full extent of the problem, acknowledges their past mistakes and has a commitment -- or maybe even an agreement -- to specific changes that will ensure the integrity of the program," Sweeney said.

 

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., who has been outspoken on the steroids problem sent an e-mail to the Chronicle in which he called on baseball to do three things to "clean up the game."

 

Biden said that baseball's policy should more closely represent that used by the Olympic program run by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. "I think it's time for pro sports in America to get in line with the high standards of the Olympics," Biden said.

 

The Chronicle reported that baseball irked lawmakers on Wednesday when it said it would fight the subpoenas. The committee appears to be fully prepared to hold players in contempt if they do not heed the subpoenas.

 

"Baseball got it today, that they needed to tone down the rhetoric," a source told the Chronicle. "There were more members with their hair on fire today. (Baseball) exacerbated their problems with steroids and exacerbated their problems with Congress."

© 2005 NBC Sports.com

[rangercal]

They're running now. lol