MLB, union discuss tipping off on performance-enhancing drug test allegations

[Omaha Steve]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090213&content_id=3823502&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

By John Schlegel / MLB.com 02/13/09 1:11 AM EST

The Commissioner's Office contacted the Major League Baseball Players Association earlier this week to raise concerns about a specific allegation that union executive Gene Orza tipped off a player before he was to be tested for performance-enhancing drugs in 2004, according to a report in Friday's editions of The New York Times.

The story said the contact was made in reference to allegations revealed in the Sports Illustrated cover story published this week about Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez. Following allegations in an SI.com article that preceded the magazine's release, Rodriguez on Monday admitted to having taken performance-enhancing drugs in 2001-03 while with the Rangers.

According to The Times, the Commissioner's Office contacted the union with regards to a specific incident cited in the Sports Illustrated article that said Orza, the union's chief operating officer, warned a player in September 2004 that he would be tested on Sept. 24, telling the player that he should "make sure there's nothing in your system." Additionally, the magazine said Orza alerted Rodriguez to an upcoming test that same month.

Drug Policy in Baseball

MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred told The Times that he called union officials on Wednesday to raise the issue.

"I have discussed with the Major League Baseball Players Association the more detailed allegation about advance notice given to a player of a test on Sept. 24, 2004," Manfred said. "The union has been unable to provide any additional information and stands by its previously issued denial that any tipping occurred."

Union spokesman Greg Bouris confirmed to The Times that Manfred spoke with a union official and said that the union did not give advance notice of testing in 2004.

"We have done nothing improper," Bouris said.

FULL story at link.