MLB Expanding Anti-Drug Push

Selig announces creation of investigative unit for illegal substances
By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 11, 2008 10:35 PM CST
MLB Expanding Anti-Drug Push
Former senator George Mitchell calls on a reporter during a New York news conference, Thursday Dec. 13, 2007, about his report on the illegal use of steroids in baseball. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)   (Associated Press)

Taking its cue from the Mitchell Report's findings, Major League Baseball today announced it has established a permanent investigations unit to check allegations of drug use by players in the grand old game. An ex-NYC cop and former FBI agent will lead the department - whose goal is "protecting the integrity of our sport," said baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

While a new tip line will allow employees to make MLB aware of alleged drug use, betting and other rules infractions, it's not clear how intrusive 'Big Brother' approach to enforcement will be under the new unit - whether it will go as far, for example, as having spies in teams' clubhouses. MLB refused to provide specifics. The department "will be given the freedom to do what is appropriate," said a baseball official. (More MLB stories.)

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