Baseball

Selig says he'll back drug bill

By wire services
Published May 17, 2005

NEW YORK - Commissioner Bud Selig said Monday that he would support federal legislation calling for two-year bans for first-time steroid offenses unless the Major League Baseball Players' Association agrees to toughen the sport's drug policy.

Selig proposed last month that starting in 2006, major-leaguers be given 50-game suspensions for a first positive test for steroids, a 100-game penalty for a second positive test and a lifetime ban for a third. He also wants to ban amphetamines.

The players' association said it will discuss the proposal with management representatives. Baseball's current steroids policy runs through the 2008 season.

GIAMBI ATTACKER CHARGED: Eric Anduri , the Oakland Coliseum fan who threw a cup of beer at Yankees slugger Jason Giambi on Saturday, will face multiple criminal charges, officials said.

ANGELS: The California Assembly decided the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are engaged in what amounts to false advertising and approved a bill that would require the team to disclose on tickets, ads and other promotional material that its home is in Anaheim.

CUBS: Right-hander Carlos Zambrano had an MRI exam on his sore pitching elbow and could miss his next start Friday.

NATIONALS: Right-hander Livan Hernandez had his right knee drained after exams showed it was swollen.

YANKEES: DH Ruben Sierra went 1-for-4 in an extended spring training game, his first since being sidelined by a partially torn right biceps.

OBITUARY: Charlie Muse , a longtime Pirates executive who created baseball's modern batting helmet in the 1950s, died May 5 in Sun City Center. He was 87.

[Last modified May 17, 2005, 01:38:07]