Name dropping
The West Coast had BALCO. Now the East Coast could be in the midst of its own steroid scandal.
An illicit steroid distribution network, which may be responsible for Internet sales of performance-enhancing drugs nationwide, has been targeted by an upstate New York prosecutor. Customers reportedly included Los Angeles Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and former baseball star Jose Canseco.
“We have investigated, and are prosecuting, one of the largest narcotics and steroid distributors in the nation,” P. David Soares, district attorney of Albany County, N.Y., said in a statement Wednesday.
His comments came a day after federal and state agents raided two pharmacies in Orlando, Fla. Eight people in three states have been arrested, and prosecutors say 24 could face felony charges by the time their investigation is over.
Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jason Grimsley and a doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly linked to Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, according to the Times Union of Albany, which first disclosed the widespread investigation.
The paper also said Matthews, Canseco and Holyfield were allegedly on the customer list of Applied Pharmacy Services in Mobile, Ala., whose two owners have been indicted by an Albany County grand jury.
SI.com, meanwhile, reported that Matthews allegedly was sent Genotropin, a brand of synthetic growth hormone, in August 2004. The drug, which came from Applied Pharmacy, was sent to the address in Mansfield, Texas, of one of Matthews’ former minor league teammates, according to the Internet site.
Matthews, a former Spokane Indians player, would not comment specifically on a report his name was listed as a customer of a steroid distribution network.
“I haven’t read the story myself, and I don’t have all the information,” the Los Angeles Angels center fielder said when asked if he had used performance-enhancing substances. “So until I get more information, this is going to be my position.”
Matthews said he didn’t know why is name was reportedly on the client list, adding, “That’s what we’re working on, trying to find out. I will address it at the appropriate time.”
During the raid in Orlando, investigators seized drugs, including anabolic steroids and human growth hormone, said Carl Metzger, narcotics commander for Orlando’s Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.
Bonds receives death threats
Barry Bonds declined to elaborate about death threats the San Francisco slugger said he is receiving.
“We’re not going anywhere with that,” Bonds said while walking off the field following a workout at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The 42-year-old Bonds, 22 home runs from passing Hank Aaron’s career record of 755, told San Francisco’s KGO Radio on Tuesday that he has been receiving threats.
“There’s a lot of times I want to say I’m sorry to some of the fans. You’re only strong to a point and then you get nervous,” Bonds told KGO during a 90-minute interview.
Marlins look to fill rotation
With right-hander Josh Johnson sidelined by a sore arm, the Florida Marlins are auditioning candidates for a fifth starter to begin the season.
Candidates to fill the fifth spot include Yusmeiro Petit, Wes Obermueller, Sergio Mitre, Jose Garcia, and Chris George.
Around the horn
New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera could make his 2007 spring training debut Monday. Rivera, sidelined from Aug. 31 to Sept. 22 last year because of a muscle strain near his right elbow, has felt fine since spring training began. … Oakland Athletics outfielder Bobby Kielty needs arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and will be sidelined for three-to-six weeks. … White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, formerly of Spirit Lake, Idaho, threw nine pitches in Chicago’s opening spring training game before being taken out against Colorado because of tightness in his right shoulder. …The San Francisco Giants and right-hander Matt Cain were close to agreement on a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year. Several issues were still to be worked out. … Vinny Castilla will get his first taste of managing this summer when he leads the Mexican national team at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.