Rays unanimously for steroid testing

CLEVELAND -- Recognizing there may be a problem with steroid use in baseball, Rays players unanimously supported the union's proposal Wednesday to begin mandatory steroid testing next season.

"The players have been very proactive on this," said catcher John Flaherty, the team's player representative. "The players on this team are very supportive of it and, if there is a problem, let's find out and get rid of it. If there isn't we will have put the subject to rest and we're going to play ball."

The issue, among the most significant in the labor negotiations, came to national attention this season when former National League MVP Ken Caminiti and former Rays slugger Jose Canseco admitted to using steroids during their playing careers.

"I think there are question marks out there right now for the fans," Flaherty said. "I think the players are probably just as interested in finding out exactly what's going on. ... Do we have a problem? If we do, then take care of it. You've got to remember that a lot of us are fans of the game as well and want to see everybody on an even playing field."

NATIONAL EXPOSURE: Hal McRae got his first chance this season to tell the nation just what it's like to manage the Rays.

During a five-minute segment on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption show Wednesday, McRae answered questions from hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser. Topics ranged from the threat of contraction to the franchise's direction, the stress of managing the worst team in the majors and his temper.

"We've got to do a better job from top to bottom, from ownership to the grounds crew, we've got to do a much better job," McRae said. "I have to do a much better job. The coaching staff has to do a much better job. The players are going to have to work to get better."

LONG SHOT: Though pitcher Jorge Sosa is 0-3 with a 7.98 ERA in his past three starts, McRae is not thinking of replacing him in the rotation with Wilson Alvarez.

"I wouldn't think so, but anything is possible," McRae said. "That would be a (major) turn. I wouldn't think that would happen. But anything is possible."

In his first relief appearance since 1992 and first outing since coming off the disabled list with left elbow tendinitis, Alvarez pitched three scoreless innings Tuesday.

ANNIVERSARY: Baseball has its 50 most memorable moments. The Rays have Wade Boggs' 3,000th hit.

Wednesday marked the anniversary of the 1999 game against the Indians at Tropicana Field when Boggs got three hits to reach the milestone. Of the 15 Rays who appeared in that game, only Flaherty and closer Esteban Yan remain.

"I think the whole pursuit of it was neat for guys like me," Flaherty said. "At the time I remember saying this was something I was going to enjoy because it's an incredible accomplishment that the average player never even can dream of."

MINOR MATTERS: Triple-A Durham infielder Josh Pressley, the Rays' fourth-round pick in the 1998 draft, was placed on the disabled list. He was hitting .088 through 12 games. ... Pitcher Scott Autrey, a seventh-round pick in June, picked up his first pro win by pitching 62/3 scoreless innings against Staten Island for short-season Class A Hudson Valley.

ODDS AND ENDS: Second baseman Brent Abernathy, first baseman Steve Cox, shortstop Chris Gomez and designated hitter Greg Vaughn took early batting practice off hitting coach Milt May. Ben Grieve, who hasn't played in five games, was unable to attend. ... The Rays of Hope Charity Golf Classic on Monday at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort is sold out. ... The error committed by Indians first baseman Lee Stevens in the ninth inning Tuesday was changed to a single for catcher Toby Hall. ... The game lasted 2:08, the Rays' and Indians' shortest of the season.