MLB Interprets Fewer Positve Tests As Drug Policy Success
Thirty-four baseball players — two in MLB and 32 in the minor leagues — have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs this year, down from 86 at this time last season, according to Jack Curry of the N.Y. TIMES. There were 93 total failed drug tests last year, 81 in the minors and 12 in MLB. This year, 24 of the 34 who failed tests are pitchers. Former MLB P Tom House said that steroids are “attractive to pitchers because they enable them to bounce back quickly and pitch again.” Meanwhile, MLB Exec VP/Labor Relations Rob Manfred said that he “had been unable to discern any pattern as to why almost two-thirds of the players who have failed tests this year are from Latin America and why nearly 40[%] are from Venezuela.” Dr. Gary Green of UCLA, a steroids consultant for MLB, said that one possible reason Latin players made up a substantial portion of the violators is that “some controlled substances that require a prescription in the [U.S.] are plentiful in their home countries.” Former MLBer and native Venezuelan Luis Sojo added, “They want to succeed so badly and make some money to feed their families, but they’re doing it in a bad way.” Manfred declined to say if anyone has tested positive for amphetamines. Green said of flaws in baseball’s programs, “Is growth hormone a hole in the testing? Yes, it’s a worldwide hole. There’s nothing today that is going to be a solution to that.” Manfred said the declining number of positive tests are evidence stricter drug policies are working, but he added, “I can’t imagine a state of affairs where anybody in any sport, union or nonunion, professional or Olympics, can sit there and say, ‘We have solved the problem’” (N.Y. TIMES, 8/11).
BAKER: Cubs manager Dusty Baker said that former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who is leading MLB’s steroid investigation, and the MLBPA cancelled their August 2 interview. USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale notes Baker is “expected to be asked about” Giants LF Barry Bonds’ alleged steroid use. Baker has “repeatedly said that he was unaware and had no proof Bonds used steroids” (USA TODAY, 8/11).
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