MLB Union hopes to keep users' identities secret

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spfehr116031550feb11,0,4355283.story

BY KEN DAVIDOFF | [e-mail]
February 11, 2009

It's now an accepted part of this larger "Alex Rodriguez used steroids" conversation that someday we'll learn the names of the other 103 players who failed 2003 tests for performance-enhancing drugs.

But the Players Association is still hoping that day never arrives. And that those urine samples can ultimately be destroyed - as was originally intended.

"The collective-bargaining agreement calls for that," Don Fehr, the Players Association's executive director, told Newsday by telephone. "If we eventually prevail, we'll honor the bargaining agreement. But this is long from over."

The union's fight to win back the samples and attached names - there are 1,198, with 104 (including A-Rod's) having tested positive - is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The union has won the early rounds, as three federal district judges ruled that the government violated the Fourth Amendment in seizing all the samples rather than only those of the 10 players involved in the BALCO scandal.

Video

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Does this change your opinion of A-Rod?

Alex Rodriguez has admitted he used steroids. Does it change your opinion of him?
Yes. I thought he was clean but it proves he's a cheater, too Yes. I never liked A-Rod anyway, but now I hate him even more No. I already suspected him of using steroids No. I already disliked him, so to me this is the nail in the coffin. No. I don't care. Just hit the ball

Asked how concerned he was that the other names would become public, Fehr said: "There's a legally binding mandate that would prevent people from disclosing . I would hope that people adhere to that

FULL story at link.

[bluestateguy]

1. The MLB players union has outlived its usefulness

Unions are for working people, not multimillionaire athletes.

[newscott]

2. Here's a newflash they weren't just breaking the rules of baseball

THEY BROKE THE LAW FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!