MLB Suspensions Loom for A-Rod, Ryan Braun and 20 Players in Latest PED Scandal (VIEDO)
ByMajor League Baseball (MLB) is looking to suspend Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun and more than 20 other players for their connection to a Miami-based "Biogenesis" anti-aging clinic, ESPN reported.
Anthony Bosch, the clinic's director has agreed to cooperate in the investigation by verifying record books his clinic kept that ties specific baseball players to banned substances under MLB's drug policy.
This may be the first time the head distributor of illegal substances has ever agreed to personally identify players and the substances they bought in a major professional sport. ESPN's Pedro Gomez said on "Sportscenter" Wenesday that this could be one of the biggest drug bust in the history of professional sports.
Braun denied the new allegations against him after his Milwaukee Brewers won their game Tuesday night.
"I've already addressed everything related to the Miami situation," Braun said to clubhouse reporters. "I addressed it in spring training. I will not make any further statements about it. The truth has not changed. I don't know the specifics of the story that came out today, but I've already addressed it, I've already commented on it, and I'll say nothing further about it."
The Miami New Times obtained these records months ago and, until now, those documents could not be verified or de-coded. Some players have code names to hide their identity, while some were recorded with their real names. Bosch has reportedly agreed to validate his clinic's documentation.
The details of the agreement are not clearly known, but Bosch was under investigation by authorities for impersonating a doctor. He prescribed and distributed "anti-aging" drugs even though he does not have a medical degree.
Other known players to have supposedly received performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) from Bosch are Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon and Nelson Cruz.
Under the banned substance policy, MLB can suspend first-time offenders 50 games without pay. For Cabrera, Colon and Yasmani Grandal, a guilty verdict in this investigation would be their second offense and would result in a 100-game suspension without pay. If a player should be caught a third time, it would mean a lifetime ban from the league.
MLB is reportedly seeking 100-game suspensions for Braun and Rodriguez on the grounds that they lied about previous use.
In Braun's case, a 50-game suspension was reversed due to a chain-of-custody error by the test tube collector. Afterwards, Braun denied his use entirely, claiming the collector tampered with the sample to falsify a positive result.
In Rodriguez's, he admitted to using steroids while a member of the Texas Rangers but denied reports that he continued using since joining the New York Yankees.
MLB's players union released a statement Wednesday morning saying they were in regular correspondence with the office of Commissioner Bud Selig. Michael Weiner, executive director of the player's union, said the league was interviewing players, who would be represented by union lawyers, as part of the investigation.
"The commissioner's office has assured us that no decisions regarding discipline have been made or will be made until those interviews are completed," the statement said. "It would be unfortunate if anyone prejudged those investigations."