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MLB Expanding Anti-Drug Push

Selig announces creation of investigative unit for illegal substances

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 11, 2008 10:35 PM CST
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(Newser) – Taking its cue from the Mitchell Report's findings, Major League Baseball today announced it has established a permanent investigations unit to check allegations of drug use by players in the grand old game. An ex-NYC cop and former FBI agent will lead the department - whose goal is "protecting the integrity of our sport," said baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

While a new tip line will allow employees to make MLB aware of alleged drug use, betting and other rules infractions, it's not clear how intrusive 'Big Brother' approach to enforcement will be under the new unit - whether it will go as far, for example, as having spies in teams' clubhouses. MLB refused to provide specifics. The department "will be given the freedom to do what is appropriate," said a baseball official.

Former senator George Mitchell calls on a reporter during a New York news conference, Thursday Dec. 13, 2007, about his report on the illegal use of steroids in baseball. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Former senator George Mitchell calls on a reporter during a New York news conference, Thursday Dec. 13, 2007, about his report on the illegal use of steroids in baseball. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)   (Associated Press)
Roger Clemens answers a question during a news conference about alleged steroid use Monday, Jan. 7, 2008 in Houston. Clemens has filed a defamation suit against his former trainer, Brian McNamee, who claimed to have injected him with performance-enhancing drugs. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Roger Clemens answers a question during a news conference about alleged steroid use Monday, Jan. 7, 2008 in Houston. Clemens has filed a defamation suit against his former trainer, Brian McNamee, who...   (Associated Press)
Roger Clemens, right, rests alongside strength coach Brian McNamee, standing, at the Houston Astros minor league baseball mini camp in Kissimmee, Fla., in this Feb. 27, 2006 file photo. His testimony pointed the finger at Clemens for illegal steroid use. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Roger Clemens, right, rests alongside strength coach Brian McNamee, standing, at the Houston Astros minor league baseball mini camp in Kissimmee, Fla., in this Feb. 27, 2006 file photo. His testimony...   (Associated Press)
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig gestures while taking part in a panel at the 2007 American Society of Newspaper Editors convention in Washington, in this March 29, 2007, file photo. Major League Baseball launched a department of investigations Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, a permanent branch of the commissioner's office...
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig gestures while taking part in a panel at the 2007 American Society of Newspaper Editors convention in Washington, in this March 29, 2007, file photo. Major...   (Associated Press)
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