MLB outlines steroid and amphetimine policies

The Associated Press reports that baseball took a lot of shots in 2005 from politicians, commentators and players themselves as the sport struggled with steroids. MLB went from no drug policy in 2002 to anonymous testing in 2003, to counseling for positive tests in 2004, to a dozen 10-day suspensions this year. Starting next year, an initial positive test will result in a 50-game suspension, and players will be tested for amphetamines for the first time, with penalties for a second positive result.

2005 – Several free agents agree to contracts terms: OF Johnny Damon with the New York Yankees (four-year); OF Juan Encarnación (three-year) and 2B Junior Spivey (one-year) with the St. Louis Cardinals; OF Reggie Sanders (two-years) and P Joe Mays (one-year) with the Kansas City Royals; C John Flaherty with the Boston Red Sox (one-year); OF Endy Chavez with the New York Mets (one-year), and IF Jose Vizcaino with the San Francisco Giants (one-year).

2005 – Several free agents agree to contracts terms: OF Johnny Damon with the New York Yankees (four-year); OF Juan Encarnación (three-year) and 2B Junior Spivey (one-year) with the St. Louis Cardinals; OF Reggie Sanders (two-years) and P Joe Mays (one-year) with the Kansas City Royals; C John Flaherty with the Boston Red Sox (one-year); OF Endy Chavez with the New York Mets (one-year), and IF Jose Vizcaino with the San Francisco Giants (one-year).

After the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control denies the request to allow Cuba to participate in the World Baseball Classic due to the possibility of financial gain by the island country, MLB reapplies after Fidel Castro says his country will donate any money earned from its participation to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

After the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control denies the request to allow Cuba to participate in the World Baseball Classic due to the possibility of financial gain by the island country, MLB reapplies after Fidel Castro says his country will donate any money earned from its participation to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Houston Astros agree to terms with pitchers Dave Borkowski and Steve Sparks and the Los Angeles Dodgers agree to terms with pitcher Brett Tomko on a two-year contract.

The Houston Astros agree to terms with pitchers Dave Borkowski and Steve Sparks and the Los Angeles Dodgers agree to terms with pitcher Brett Tomko on a two-year contract.

The Minnesota Twins agree to terms with OF/DH Rondell White on a one-year contract, while the New York Yankees re-sign OF Bernie Williams to a one-year contract.

The Minnesota Twins agree to terms with OF/DH Rondell White on a one-year contract, while the New York Yankees re-sign OF Bernie Williams to a one-year contract.

The San Diego Padres sign 2B Mark Bellhorn for one year while the Seattle Mariners agree to terms with OF Matt Lawton on a one-year contract.

The San Diego Padres sign 2B Mark Bellhorn for one year while the Seattle Mariners agree to terms with OF Matt Lawton on a one-year contract.

With the announcement Oakland will no longer sell tickets for the third deck of McAfee Coliseum, the A’s home becomes the smallest park in the major leagues. The seating capacity, reduced from 44,073 to 34,179, is less than Fenway Park, which has been recently increased to accommodate 38,805 denizens of Red Sox Nation.

With the announcement Oakland will no longer sell tickets for the third deck of McAfee Coliseum, the A’s home becomes the smallest park in the major leagues. The seating capacity, reduced from 44,073 to 34,179, is less than Fenway Park, which has been recently increased to accommodate 38,805 denizens of Red Sox Nation.

2005 – The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agree to terms with C Toby Hall and P Lance Carter on one-year contracts and the St. Louis Cardinals sign P Sidney Ponson to a one-year contract.

2005 – The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agree to terms with C Toby Hall and P Lance Carter on one-year contracts and the St. Louis Cardinals sign P Sidney Ponson to a one-year contract.

2005 – The World Champion White Sox finalize the trade with the Diamondbacks which brings starter Javier Vazquez and $4 million dollars to the Windy City. Veteran right-hander Orlando Hernandez, reliever Luis Vizcaino and minor league outfield prospect Chris Young go to Arizona to complete the deal.

2005 – The World Champion White Sox finalize the trade with the Diamondbacks which brings starter Javier Vazquez and $4 million dollars to the Windy City. Veteran right-hander Orlando Hernandez, reliever Luis Vizcaino and minor league outfield prospect Chris Young go to Arizona to complete the deal.