Selig Writes Letter To MLB Fans, Will Support Legislation

U.S. House Government Reform Committee spokesperson David Marin said that Committee Chair Tom Davis (R-VA), ranking minority member Henry Waxman (D-CA) and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “will introduce a bill this week governing steroid testing in U.S. sports,” according to Howard Fendrich of the AP. Meanwhile, Marin added that “none of the five NBA players invited to testify to Congress about steroids has agreed to appear yet.” Marin said Davis is “a little bit disappointed that we don’t have a player confirmed for [Thursday’s hearings]. ... It’s our hope that the [NBPA] will be more aggressive in locating a player or two who can make it on Thursday.” Marin added a review of NBA documents turned up “Shaquille O’Neal sized holes” in the league’s drug policy (AP, 5/17).

Selig Says He Will Support Legislation If MLBPA Does Not Want To Play Ball

SELIG: In N.Y., Michael O’Keeffe reports MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will “lend his support to proposed legislation that calls for a two-year suspension or more for players who test positive for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.” In a letter to fans posted on MLB.com, Selig wrote, “In the event that we are unable to achieve agreement with the MLBPA on this matter and I am left with no reasonable alternative to address this critical issue, I will support federal legislation, as it has been introduced by [U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL)].” MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr declined comment (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/17).

THEY’VE GOT QUESTIONS: Davis and Waxman yesterday sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, “requesting results of tests since Jan. 1, 1995, for testosterone and epitestosterone.” Davis and Waxman wrote, “We are not seeking the names of individual players, but we do ask that you provide the data so that players can be tracked from year to year (by using, for example, a numeric code)” (AP, 5/17).