San Francisco – Rafael Palmeiro’s flunked drug test and subsequent suspension raised awareness in the Rockies’ clubhouse about what lies on the horizon.
During meetings with players association boss Donald Fehr in Washington, last month and again in Denver last weekend, amphetamines surfaced as a critical issue.
In keeping with minor-league drug policy, commissioner Bud Selig wants to test players for amphetamines, which have been illegal without a doctor’s prescription since 1970.
“I would expect the union to bring this to the forefront,” veteran Rockies reliever Mike DeJean said. “It’s something where we need to be proactive. We don’t want it to be like steroids. We want to address it.”
Rockies player representative Jason Jennings said Thursday players are motivated to keep Congress “out of it.” Jennings said talks on amphetamines were constructive.
“The consensus of our meeting was that amphetamines weren’t worth striking for,” said Jennings, referring to the collective bargaining agreement, which expires in December 2006.
Reacting to public pressure and government intervention, baseball opened its collective bargaining agreement last winter, adopting a stricter drug policy. Rockies players said tackling schedule concerns could also help address the use of amphetamines.
Outfielder Dustan Mohr and Jennings suggested spring training be shortened by at least two weeks.
“Having it as long as it is now is about making money,” Mohr said.
DeJean said scheduling doubleheaders, which teams are reluctant to do because of lost revenue, could free up at least one guaranteed off day a week.
“There’s no excuse for using steroids or any other illegal drugs,” DeJean said. “But it’s asking a lot for guys to play every day (for six months) and maintain 100 percent performance.”
The schedule is a raw topic with the Rockies because they played 23 consecutive days bridging May and June, three more than permissible. Because the error was discovered after the schedule was released, the Rockies begrudgingly approved the stretch. They are in the middle of a run of 34 games in 34 days, including an off day and a makeup doubleheader.
“High-end athletes that require reaction time, they are the first to feel better from rest,” Rockies strength coach Brad Andress said when asked about the benefits of a reducing the 162-game schedule. “If you look at them as human beings, it logically comes into focus. If you look at it just as a business, it’s hard to develop focus.”
Mazzilli out of nest
Rockies outfielder Larry Bigbie glanced at the news scrolling along the bottom of the TV screen. He was interested, but not surprised that Baltimore Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli was fired.
“He was a good guy. But when one minute you are in first place and the next you are 10 games back, eventually the manager is going to pay,” said Bigbie of the Orioles, who won just nine of their final 37 games under Mazzilli’s watch.
Footnote
For Monday’s doubleheader, the Rockies plan to promote Triple-A starter Jason Young. A recent MRI showed that Young’s shoulder was healthy.
