Baseball Owners, Players Toughen Drug Policy

Tougher doping rules kick in immediately

(NEWSER) - Baseball players agreed to more frequent drug tests yesterday and gave more clout to the drug program's independent administrator, the AP reports. The tougher guidelines follow recommendations made in the Mitchell Report and mark the third time the league has toughened its doping policy since 2002—each time under the threat of congressional action, the Calgary Herald notes. Owners approved the changes last week. More»

Commish hopes Congress sees Mitchell Report as progress

(NEWSER) - It has been nearly three years since MLB commissioner Bud Selig was taken to task by members of Congress for allowing steroids to permeate the nation’s pastime. But while Selig has toughened the league’s stance on PEDs and commissioned George Mitchell to investigate baseball’s steroids era, the commissioner may still come under fire during today's congressional hearings, reports ESPN. More»

(NEWSER) - David Ortiz says he has never used steroids, despite his inclusion on baseball's infamous list of juicers from 2003, the Globe reports. “I used a lot of supplements and vitamins" back then, the Red Sox slugger said at a press conference today. He acknowledged being a "bit careless" in those days but stated definitively that never used or bought steroids. More»

Selig announces creation of investigative unit for illegal substances

(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. More»

Selig says he'll implement all of Mitchell's recommendations

(NEWSER) - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig called the Mitchell Report a “call to action” today, and said he'd execute every recommendation the former senator made in his bombshell appraisal of steroid use. As to punishment for current players named in the report, Selig said Mitchell was right to defer to him—and his decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis, MLB.com reports. More»