WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told the players' association Wednesday that Congress will step in unless it agrees to toughen steroid-testing rules.
The Senate Commerce Committee chairman challenged union head Donald Fehr to accept a far more stringent drug-testing policy, such as the NFL's. Fehr said he couldn't agree to changes in the collective bargaining agreement.
"Your failure to commit to addressing this issue straight on and immediately will motivate this committee to search for legislative remedies," McCain said.
"I don't know what they are. But I can tell you, and the players you represent, the status quo is not acceptable. And we will have to act in some way unless the major league players' union acts in the affirmative and rapid fashion."
No concrete evidence of rampant steroid use has emerged. Home run rates have risen and players appear to have gotten rapidly more muscular, though some in the medical community say advances in training and nutrition could account for that.
Five to seven percent of last year's anonymous drug tests came back positive for steroids. The program has been criticized because players are tested twice a season, both times within a week, and the penalties are far weaker than in Olympic sports.
Old-timers game set
Likely future Hall of Famer Wade Boggs and current members Lou Brock, Bob Feller, Ferguson Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry and Brooks Robinson highlight the roster for Sunday's Legends of Baseball old-timers game at Clearwater's new Bright House Networks Field.
More than a dozen other former players will be joined by an eclectic group of celebrities such as actors Jonathan Silverman and Jim Turner, Super Bowl XXXI MVP Desmond Howard, U.S. Olympic softball star Michele Smith, comedian Larry The Cable Guy and musicians Gunnar and Matthew Nelson.
The 6 p.m. game will be preceded by a home run derby that will feature Bucs running back Mike Alstott and receiver Joe Jurevicius. Gates open at 3:45. Tickets are $12 and $10 and are available at the stadium box office, on the www.philliesspringtraining.com Web site or by calling 727 442-8496.
GIANTS: Leftfielder Barry Bonds was scratched after hurting his back during batting practice. Manager Felipe Alou said he would play Friday.
MARLINS: Third baseman Mike Lowell has an inflamed right elbow and will miss this weekend's games against Houston in Mexico City.
METS: No charges will be filed against Karim Garcia and Shane Spencer in their parking-lot dispute with a pizza deliveryman, Port St. Lucie police said. Eric Vidal, 20, had accused the outfielders of kicking him.
PADRES: Centerfielder Jay Payton has a strained right hamstring and likely will be out seven to 10 days.
- Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.
