SPORTS
Selig speaks in Madison
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Tyler Mason:
- Wisconsin comes from behind to tie (February 25, 2008)
- Border Battle continues (February 22, 2008)
- 3-pointers propels Wisconsin (February 21, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Seligs to sell Brewers (January 19, 2004)
- Selig: New baseball drug policy weeks away (March 30, 2004)
- Selig getting job done (January 29, 2008)
- Commish deserves credit for new steroid policy (November 18, 2005)
- Baseball reaches tentative deal (September 5, 2002)
by Tyler Mason
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
With the controversy surrounding pitcher Roger Clemens
making national headlines, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was in
Madison Monday. At a press conference in UW’s Humanities Building, the
commissioner discussed steroids in baseball, his contract extension and the
state of the game today.
Perhaps the biggest message Selig — a UW alumnus and former
Milwaukee Brewers owner — offered to the room of reporters was that the
steroids epidemic is not contained within his sport.
“This is not a baseball problem,” Selig said. “This is a
societal problem.”
Selig pointed out that young athletes continue to turn
toward steroids, a problem he and the league hope to curb.
“We try to educate not only our players, but the youth of
America,” Selig said. “All we can do is take care of the present and the
future.”
The topic of the Mitchell Report was also discussed Monday.
The report, released in December by former Senator George Mitchell, outlined an
investigation of steroid use in baseball.
“What I wanted the Mitchell Report to do … was to be a roadmap
for future commissioners,” Selig said. “I have great respect for the senator
and pretty much agree with everything he said.”
Selig added that the report needs “a very careful
examination.”
The commissioner has often been criticized for looking the
other way in regard to the steroid issue in baseball, but said Monday he
continues to fight for a solution to the problem.
“My only goal always is just to do what I think is in the
best interest of the sport,” Selig said. “Nobody is more frustrated for not
having a test for human growth hormone than me.”
As the steroid epidemic continues to soar, however, so does
the league’s attendance numbers. Selig projected the league will again set an
attendance record in the 2008 season.
“Here’s my frustration: The sport has never been healthier,”
Selig said. “It’s amazing. The minor leagues will set another (attendance)
record. … I use that to show it’s a manifestation of how popular the sport is.
The sport has just exploded. But like everything else in life, nothing is
perfect.”
As imperfect as the MLB may be, Selig said it’s getting
better. According to the commissioner, positive testing for steroids in recent
years has dropped from past tests.
“Last year we had three positive tests. The year before we
had two,” Selig said. “I’ve met with doctors and trainers and in an ongoing
regular basis. I wish you could hear what they had to say about how well these
programs are working and how pleased they are.”
Admittedly, Selig said he has grown tired of discussing the
steroid issue, something that seemingly has plagued the commissioner’s career.
Clemens’ recent hearing in front of Congress — which Selig declined to speak
about — is just the latest in a string of incidents involving
performance-enhancing drugs in baseball that have happened during Selig’s reign
as commissioner.
“I’d rather talk baseball,” Selig said. “I like talking
baseball. It’s the one part of my job that I miss because I don’t have the
day-to-day contact that I used to have years ago.”
Selig also sounded relieved that teams have begun to report
to spring training, taking some of the focus away from the issue of steroids.
“I guess the best news of the day — pitchers and catchers
report,” Selig joked.
Selig recently received a contract extension that will keep
him as baseball’s commissioner through 2012. He admitted he hadn’t originally
planned to continue after his previous contract expired, but he said he hopes
to leave a lasting legacy on the sport once his time is finally up.
“What I want when this is all over is maybe long after I’m
gone,” Selig said, “is that people will say, ‘Look, they had a problem, they
did something.’”
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
