*Report: Steroid abuse growing in Major League Baseball*
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JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Major League Baseball
players are using muscle-building steroids in increasing
numbers, according to an investigative story in today's New York
Times. 

The Times conducted interviews with more than 25 individuals
ranging from major league strength coaches, general managers,
league officials and players.  The general view was that steroid
abuse has become a problem in baseball and that the sport must
address it. 

The newspaper quoted outfielder Cliff Floyd of the Florida
Marlins as saying that as many as 40 percent of the players in
the big leagues are taking steroids. 

However, unlike the National Football League, college athletics
and sports that are under the jurisdiction of the International
Olympic Committee, Major League Baseball does not randomly test
players for steroids or other drugs that may improve
performance.  While it is discouraged by baseball officials,
there are no specific rules against it. 

It is against federal law to use steroids without a
prescription, but The Times said that officials of the Drug
Enforcement Agency said that the vast majority of anabolic
steroids on the black market in the United States are smuggled
from countries where the drugs are available at pharmacies
without a prescription. Strength coaches in the major leagues
interviewed by The Times say players often obtain steroids while
playing winter ball in Latin America. 

So far, only one player, Mark McGwire of the St. Louis
Cardinals, has admitted to taking steroids.  McGwire, who set
the major league single-season record for home runs with 70 in
1998, admitted he took androstenedione that year but said he has
since stopped using it. 

Last June, a steroid called Dimetabol, which is intended for
animals, along with two hypodermic needles, were found in the
glove compartment of a car owned by backup shortstop Manny
Alexander of the Boston Red Sox.  The drug is intended to be
used for sheep, horses and cattle during periods of stress to
help them recover and gain weight. 

Androstenedione, or "andro," is a hormone the liver converts to
testosterone. Although many scientists consider andro to be an
anabolic steroid and many sports have banned it, the government
currently classifies it as a natural supplement.  McGwire said
he stopped using it last year when he realized the publicity it
was generating might have a bad effect on youngsters. 

Many physicians also believe that the drug can have harmful
effects on the liver and the heart. Research has linked anabolic
steroid abuse with heart disease, stroke and liver disease. 

The DEA has begun a study to determine if andro builds muscle
and thus should be considered a controlled substance. 

Players take anabolic steroids because they are a precursor of
testosterone, the body's main muscle builder, and allow an
athlete to gain more muscle mass in less time by helping the
body recover faster from workouts and injuries. 

There has been increased suspicion in recent years as the home
runs continue to pile up that more players were bulking up with
drugs.  Floyd estimates that about four in 10 major leaguers
have used steroids. 

"That's off the top of my head, but I come up with that number
from talking to a lot of players," Floyd told The Times.
"Players nowadays feel if it looks like it can help you, they'll
try it.  That's how the game is and that's probably how it's
going to be for a long time." 

However, not everyone interviewed by The Times agreed that the
use of steroids was prevalent. 

"I don't want to say it was widespread, but I think the number
of guys that try or use steroids has decreased over the years,"
New York Mets strength coach Fred Hina said.  "There are so many
things out there today that are much safer over the long haul
than steroids, and I think they've found that out." 

Still, baseball officials, concerned about the game's image, are
convinced there is enough steroid abuse going on to ask for a
drug testing program in the next round of collective bargaining.

"There have been a number of observations made by people who are
somewhat knowledgeable in this area and they believe strongly
that there is usage," Sandy Alderson, vice president of baseball
operations for baseball, told The Times.  "I think at this point
it is safe to say Major League Baseball and the players
association are reviewing the situation." 

However, officials of the players' union say there are many
details to work out before the players would accept testing. 

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