WILL BUTLER'S CANCER DIAGNOSIS AFFECT MLB TOBACCO POLICY?

     ESPN's "Cover Story" focused on the "cultural" and
"traditional" use of smokeless tobacco in MLB in the wake of
Brett Butler's announcement that he has throat cancer.  Bob Ley
reported, despite warnings from doctors and other groups, many
team clubhouses still supply complimentary chew for MLB players.
Padres 3B Ken Caminiti:  "I don't think there should be limits on
that.  If someone wants to do a cancer causing agent, that's his
personal preference."  Former players Bill Tuttle, who suffered
from facial cancer, and Joe Garagiola lead the anti-chewing
message.  Alan Hilburg, spokesperson for the Smokeless Tobacco
Council, called it "outrageous" that anyone could claim Butler's
condition was the result of tobacco use.  Hilburg:  "It is not
scientifically established that smokeless tobacco has any health
effect."   ESPN's Harold Reynolds, comparing it to Magic Johnson
and HIV:  "I feel the same thing, hopefully, will happen with
this smokeless tobacco situation with Brett Butler"
("SportsCenter," ESPN, 5/8).