Thu Feb 12th 2009Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig came out roaring Wednesday, putting Alex Rodriguez on notice that the Yankee third baseman's admitted performance-enhancing drug use may not go unpunished.
In an interview with USA Today, Selig was asked if he would consider suspending the three-time American League MVP after Rodriguez told ESPN on Monday that he had juiced from 2001 through 2003 when he played for the Rangers.
"It was against the law, so I would have to think about that," Selig told the paper. "It's very hard. I've got to think about all that kind of stuff."
But Selig's remarks may be more bark than bite. Baseball conducted survey testing during 2003 - when Rodriguez won his first MVP award - but there were no punishments for players who tested positive. In 2001 and 2002, there was no drug-testing program in place. It was during 2004 when players were first subject to possible penalties if they tested positive for banned substances.
"He's open to everything. That doesn't mean he can do everything. He's keeping all options open," MLB spokesman Rich Levin told the Daily News, referring to Selig.
Rodriguez told ESPN that he did not use performance enhancers before 2001 or after 2003. He was traded to the Yankees in February of 2004 and signed a 10-year, $275 million deal in December 2007.
Selig also told USA Today that he may consider changing the record books and reinstating Hank Aaron as the all-time home run king. Barry Bonds, who has 762 career homers, goes on trial March 2 on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. He has testified to a grand jury that he did not knowingly take steroids.
Source:New York Daily News
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig came out roaring Wednesday, putting Alex Rodriguez on notice that the Yankee third baseman's admitted performance-enhancing drug use may not go unpunished.
In an interview with USA Today, Selig was asked if he would consider suspending the three-time American League MVP after Rodriguez told ESPN on Monday that he had juiced from 2001 through 2003 when he played for the Rangers.
"It was against the law, so I would have to think about that," Selig told the paper. "It's very hard. I've got to think about all that kind of stuff."
But Selig's remarks may be more bark than bite. Baseball conducted survey testing during 2003 - when Rodriguez won his first MVP award - but there were no punishments for players who tested positive. In 2001 and 2002, there was no drug-testing program in place. It was during 2004 when players were first subject to possible penalties if they tested positive for banned substances.
"He's open to everything. That doesn't mean he can do everything. He's keeping all options open," MLB spokesman Rich Levin told the Daily News, referring to Selig.
Rodriguez told ESPN that he did not use performance enhancers before 2001 or after 2003. He was traded to the Yankees in February of 2004 and signed a 10-year, $275 million deal in December 2007.
Selig also told USA Today that he may consider changing the record books and reinstating Hank Aaron as the all-time home run king. Barry Bonds, who has 762 career homers, goes on trial March 2 on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. He has testified to a grand jury that he did not knowingly take steroids.
Source:New York Daily News