League Notes

Woods Calls For PGA Tour To Implement Drug-Testing Plan

After Tiger Woods last week called for drug testing on the PGA Tour, Woods’ agent, IMG’s Mark Steinberg, said, “There’s a lot out there right now, with BALCO, the cycling and the sprinters, so what he’s saying is, ‘Start with golf, start with me. I’m clean and I think the sport’s clean. If people are speculating about golf, let’s get it over now.’” In L.A., Thomas Bonk noted the PGA Tour “is an association, not a players’ union,” and because the players hire PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, he “should reflect their sentiment.” Finchem has said he does not believe the Tour needs a testing policy (L.A. TIMES, 8/26).

BLUE HEAVEN: U.S. District Judge Petrese Tucker ordered MLB to give former umpires Gary Darling, Bill Hohn, Larry Poncino, Larry Vanover and Joe West $3.1M in back pay, interest and medical costs “as part of a lawsuit stemming from their failed mass resignation in 1999.” Tucker also awarded attorney’s fees and court costs to the Major League Umpires Association, their former union. MLB was also told to make a $47,422 pension contribution on behalf of Poncino and one for $42,356 for Vanover (AP, 8/26).

FREE MLB TICKETS: The Royals are giving away 2,800 tickets to their September 4 game against the Yankees as part of a league-wide effort “to get kids out to the ballparks.” Each team has a goal of distributing 50,000 free tickets through Labor Day (K.C. STAR, 8/26).