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NEW YORK - After attempted intervention by Congress, players and owners are nearing an agreement that would toughen the penalties for testing positive for performance-enhancing substances.
Negotiators would not discuss the talks, which began last spring. Several player agents said the sides were making progress toward a deal, though they did not have direct knowledge of the bargaining.
Representatives of management and the union will head to Capitol Hill today for a meeting with House Government Reform Committee chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., to discuss their progress toward a stiffer testing agreement, Davis spokesman Dave Marin wrote in an e-mail.
Davis' committee held the March 17 hearing at which players and baseball officials testified, and where lawmakers said they believed the sport's penalties were too lax.
Owners are to meet Thursday in Milwaukee.
BLACKMAIL CONVICTION: A community activist was convicted in Chicago of trying to blackmail Yankees slugger and Tampa native Gary Sheffield and his wife by claiming he had a video showing her having sex with another man.
A federal jury convicted Derrick Mosley of extortion and wire fraud for plotting to extort money from Sheffield and his wife, gospel singer DeLeon Richards-Sheffield.
DODGERS: John Hart has withdrawn as a general manager candidate. Hart resigned as Rangers GM on Oct.4.
YANKEES: Hideki Matsui's agent and the team neared agreement on a four-year contract worth about $50-million.