Rookie says he's paying for past sin

By wire services
Published September 8, 2005

OAKLAND, Calif. - Mariners rookie Mike Morse was suspended 10 days Wednesday for violating baseball's steroids policy and said he was being punished for the third time for an "enormous mistake" he made in 2003.

Morse became the ninth major-leaguer penalized under the sport's tougher drug rules. Arbitrator Shyam Das on Wednesday denied the players' association's grievance to overturn the suspension.

"This result is unfair and unfortunate. It punishes Michael Morse again for conduct for which he has already been punished," said Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel. "The PA does not believe the parties ever intended for the Basic Agreement to compel such a harsh result."

"The players' association negotiated for a clean slate when a player is promoted from the minor leagues to the major leagues. That clean slate, however, is a two-way street," said Rob Manfred, executive vice president of labor relations in the commissioner's office.

Morse, 23, was batting .287 with a .360 on-base percentage in 209 at-bats.

"Back in November 2003 when I was 21 years old, I made an enormous mistake in my life: I took steroids while in the minor leagues," Morse said in a statement. "My thigh muscle, which I had previously torn, had never healed and I was scared that my career was over. I was desperate and made a terrible mistake which I deeply regret.

"In May 2004, I was punished and suspended, which I deserved, for my mistake. I embarrassed myself, my family and my team. I am responsible for the mistake of taking steroids and the positive result was not due to some over-the-counter supplement, protein shake or tainted test."

Morse said the steroids remained in his body, and he was again suspended in July 2004 while in the minors. He said those remnants resulted in another positive test this year, and he appealed.

"I am troubled that I will be suspended for the third time despite the fact that the scientific evidence supports that I kept my promise that I would never use steroids again," he said.

Later, Morse met with reporters and said, "I know what I did and I was wrong. I was a man about it and I confronted it. I came forward and served my time. Now it's twice for the same thing. Now I get this again two years later. It's just unfair.

"I'm not lying and I'm not hiding anything. I'm for testing. I'm for kicking out steroids."

LOS ANGELES - Giants leftfielder Barry Bonds says he "definitely" will play this season, although he doesn't know when.

Bonds had been scheduled for a simulated game, but that was canceled because the Dodgers used the outfield for their team picture.

He joined his teammates for batting practice for the third straight day and during one of his turns hit a ball into leftfield and ran to first.

The slugger, 41, has yet to play this season while recovering from three right knee operations since Jan. 31.

"I'm very anxious to get on the field," he said. "All I think about is having my name called, playing leftfield and seeing that little kid in the field cheering. Those are the visions I see."

OPTIMISTIC ABOUT GRIFFEY: The Reds expect Ken Griffey to play again this season after the star centerfielder strained his right foot rounding second base Sunday. Griffey has been listed as day to day.

GOOD START: Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who led the Mets affiliate to the best regular-season record in the Gulf Coast League in his first season there, was named the rookie league's manager of the year.

BRAVES: Left-hander Mike Hampton tested his sore back in a simulated game. The former Crystal River standout threw 72 pitches in the equivalent of a five-inning stint and said he felt good.

CARDINALS: Pitching coach Dave Duncan had a four-game suspension for his part in a scuffle with Pirates hitting coach Gerald Perry cut in half.

DODGERS: Shortstop Cesar Izturis needs Tommy John surgery on his right arm to fix a spot of arthritis and is expected to be out 10 months.

ORIOLES: Rightfielder Sammy Sosa will tend to his ailing right toe at home in Florida rather than travel with the club, but the team expects him to return to action this month.

PIRATES: Unbeaten rookie left-hander Zach Duke was scratched from Friday's start because of pain in his injured left ankle.

[Last modified September 8, 2005, 01:50:14]