**News Alert** HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBPOENAS BASEBALL'S HEAVY HITTERS

GoBravesGo

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HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBPOENAS BASEBALL'S HEAVY HITTERS

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Axtell

All they have to do is take the 5th amendment (a la Oliver North) and nothing will happen to them. The only one who might admit anything publicly is Giambi, as he's already admitted it (in the leaked testimony), and Canseco.

Why Bonds wasn't called, I don't know.

megatron

<< <i>Why Bonds wasn't called, I don't know. >>



Supposedly, the politicians did not want to make it a one man show. Now, notice the key word "supposedly".

While I understand that the government has a right to get involved (interstate commerce), I don't know why it has to. The government should keep its nose in its own main business. It almost makes it seem as if we live under a Stalinist regime. Why do baseball players need to go before Congress and testify about something that was not illegal in baseball at the time? For some players, it wasn't even illegal in their countries!! It will all boil down to money.......bet the farm on that.

The government should focus on the finances and security of this country and getting our men and women back instead of the continued lies they keep telling us about when we will pull out of Iraq. Here's another lie......The politicians say it will not be a "witch hunt", but it may turn out to be one.

And you are right.....the players will and should take the 5th all the way through.....Canseco included.

Gemmy10

Why Schilling? Why I ask?

GoBravesGo

Jose Canseco, Jason Giambi, Mark McGwire, Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Frank Thomas were subpoenaed to testify before the March 17 hearing of the House Government Reform Committee along with players' association head Donald Fehr, baseball executive vice presidents Rob Manfred and Sandy Alderson and San Diego general manager Kevin Towers, a move the sport's leadership vowed to fight all the way to court.

Canseco, Fehr and Manfred had agreed to testify. Manfred would speak on behalf of baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

"The remaining witnesses, however, made it clear — either by flatly rejecting the invitation to testify or by ignoring our repeated attempts to contact them — they had no intention of appearing before the committee," committee chairman Rep. Tom Davis and Rep. Henry Waxman, the ranking Democrat, said in a statement.

murcerfan

so... Schilling was a juicer all along....figures.

GoBravesGo

<< <i>Jose Canseco, Jason Giambi, Mark McGwire, Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Frank Thomas. >>

it is an interesting list, but I have to say that it reads like a version of the Sesame Street game, "Which one of these things is Not like the others - which of these things just does not belong?"

Mac53

Well, and the other thing--the headline says that they were subpoenaed. A subpoena is not an "invitation" that the recipient has the right to "flatly reject." I suppose you do have the right, but then the federal marshall comes out and puts you in a holding cell until your turn to testify. I think Schilling has been getting some diluted stuff.

Gemmy10

Maybe they will test Schilling's bloody sock, assuming it's not Heinz 57.

DirtyHarry

They (all of they) should just forget it and focus on the issue going forward. We, as sports fans, have already come to our own conclusions about who was juiced up and cheating. I think the powers that be in MLB have also come to same type of conclusions. Those who cheated will be treated as such by the fans, the media and MLB down the road when it comes to evaluating their contributions to the game. I hope, anyway. Regards.

megatron

The other thing that I find strange is that the more stringent testing program just went into effect.

Why the heck does Congress have to get involved before the testing program is even given a chance to work? Congress already does a good job of screwing the country, so why screw baseball anymore than it already has screwed itself?

All the players should just show up like this:

Axtell

I think a lot of things are at work here:

Curt Schilling has obvious political aspirations for his career after baseball. Look at his stumping for Bush last fall, and the way he attempted to look/act the politician role at the Sox' white house visit. This is just another way for him to get his name into the mainstream, outside sports news.

MLB has some very, VERY favorable tax exemptions courtesy from the government. Yes, the politicians involved may or may not have ulterior motives, but the government has every right to get involved to see if things are on the up and up.

The players selected were curious, at best. Why wasn't Bonds called? He's obviously the biggest name involved in this steroid mess, and he has already testified that he took them. Frank Thomas? Why was he summoned?

The biggest problem with all this is why does MLB and the MLBPA continue to try to keep this mess from getting cleared up? If I were involved with either of those, I'd be going out of my way to clear the air.

GoBravesGo

<< <i>Frank Thomas? Why was he summoned? >>

based on his size, he is as likely to have done the juice as any other on the list. I agree that Bonds, Klesco and Sheffield should have definately been on that list - something is smelly in Denmark.

Mac53

I would also assume that MLB figures that it's gonna make big bucks if/when Bonds breaks the career HR record, and want to protect him as best as they can until that happens. This way, it looks like somebody's taking some action on the issue, while at the same time giving Bonds some time to hit some 299 foot pop ups to right field. Perception is reality.

mohiba

Baseball is being called to the mat for:
A)

<< <i>VERY favorable tax exemptions courtesy from the government >>

No, they are the only industry in the U.S. exempt from monopoly laws. Take all of the implications from that you will, but bottom line is.....baseball is its own little world inside the US. The owners are basically a government in and of themselves with a little puppet at front named Selig. They answer to no one in regards to finances, contracts, how they report income in account statements, etc.


<< <i>Why Bonds wasn't called, I don't know >>

He is supposedly being investigated for the Balco connections and they are trying to determine whether or not he lied under oath.
C)

<< <i>
While I understand that the government has a right to get involved (interstate commerce), I don't know why it has to >>

McCain has said all along, if baseball doesn't come down extremely hard on offending players, change its ridiculous policies, he will do it for them. This is the first step and if they piss the man off enough he's the kind of guy who'll start preoceedings to end monopoly exclusion. He is a man of his word.
D)

<< <i>And you are right.....the players will and should take the 5th all the way through >>

All the government has to do, is offer immunity. Legally, you don't have to offer evidence that incriminates one's self, immunity will wave the "magic wand" over those who testify. Still plead the 5th and waive the immunity you ask? Refer to topic C, as well as ruin their reputations and careers, Canseco not withstanding.
E)

<< <i> Why Schilling? Why I ask? >>

He has been an outspoken critic of baseball, its drug policies, and what these "inflated bogus" records mean. I'm willing to bet that the committee is banking on him being one of the few who answer everything honestly. Schilling is what is right with the game of baseball.
F)

<< <i>Those who cheated will be treated as such by the fans, the media and MLB down the road when it comes to evaluating their contributions to the game. I hope, anyway. Regards. >>

This isn't just for MLB, this is trying to prove a point to all the kids out there. I for one would love to see something happen, my son sees Bonds on some of his baseball cards, we all know the old Bonds and new Bonds comparisons, but so do kids. Try expaining to your 13 year old why a man can take an illegal substance, get huge, hit homeruns all over the place, and cash in as being one of the most celebrated athletes in sports. That is what is refrred to as sticking your head in the sand.
G)

<< <i> The other thing that I find strange is that the more stringent testing program just went into effect. >>



<< <i>Why the heck does Congress have to get involved before the testing program is even given a chance to work >>

Baseball and its drug polocies have been a historical joke, it continues its long tradition with this program. There is no real penalty and if you think they do not announce who "might be tested and when this test might occur" your very mistaken. The only reason someone like Howe got continually caught was his shear stupidity.
H)


<< <i> I would also assume that MLB figures that it's gonna make big bucks if/when Bonds breaks the career HR record, and want to protect him as best as they can until that happens. This way, it looks like somebody's taking some action on the issue, while at the same time giving Bonds some time to hit some 299 foot pop ups to right field. Perception is reality. >>

EXCELLENT POINT!!!!!!

Edit for spelling