Since ‘80s, Embarrassment, Drug Cases on the Decline

Steve Howe, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and Pascual Perez popped up with regularity in reports of drug abuse in the 1980 and early ‘90s.

But that’s not to suggest things haven’t changed since the headline-making, cocaine-trafficking trials in Pittsburgh in the summer of 1985, which then-commissioner Peter V. Ueberroth called an embarrassment to baseball.

The trials, in which 24 major leaguers testified or were mentioned in court, were baseball’s low point in regard to drugs. From 1980-85, 21 players either admitted to using drugs, or were arrested or convicted by the courts of drug-related offenses, according to a chronology compiled by UPI.

One of them was then-Angel infielder Daryl Sconiers, who entered a rehabilitation clinic in Southern California for a “substance problem” during spring training in 1985.

Additionally, Ueberroth suspended six other players for the 1986 baseball season after his investigation into drug abuse. Several others received shorter suspensions.

Since 1990, there have been at least 11 reported drug cases in baseball--either involving an arrest, a public admission of guilt or a court conviction--according to a Times database search.

The latest is that of Angel leadoff hitter Tony Phillips, who was arrested Sunday on suspicion of felony possession of a small quantity of free-base cocaine in an Anaheim motel room.

Four of the 11 cases in the ‘90s involved Gooden, Strawberry, Howe and Perez. Howe, a former Dodger, became the poster boy for getting another chance. He had seven drug-related suspensions before he was released last summer by the New York Yankees.

One of the more recent cases was a minor one. Milwaukee outfielder Marc Newfield was charged with possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana last September in Dearborn, Mich. Newfield said he performed six hours of community service in Detroit, shoveling snow, and told The Times he submitted to six random drug tests during the off-season.

Reasons for the decrease in reported drug activity are several, major league baseball officials believe. There is increased player education there and has been drug-testing in the minor leagues for “about seven or eight years,” said Rich Levin, Major League Baseball spokesman.

“I don’t know if it’s a function of baseball doing it’s job or a function of society as a whole,” Levin said. “Times have changed. In the ‘80s, attitudes were a lot different. People started dying and people realized it wasn’t fun and games.”

Baseball has not had a joint drug policy with the players’ union since 1985, but the commissioner’s office does have a policy, handling cases as they arise, Levin said.

The NBA and NFL have had drug policies for years, but the NHL and its players’ union did not have a joint drug-behavior health policy until last fall.

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Drug Policies in Professional Sports

BASEBALL

There is no joint policy between the commissioner’s office and the players’ union. The commissioner’s office handles cases as they arise.

NBA

* Conviction or Use of Cocaine/Heroin

Penalty is immediate, permanent dismissal from league with ability to apply for reinstatement after two years.

* Voluntarily Seeking Treatment

No penalty imposed if player complies with terms of treatment.

* Random Testing for Rookies

Once during training camp. Penalty is suspension without pay for minimum of one year, contract voided. Player can apply for reinstatement after one year.

NFL

* Players Enter Program Due to:

Positive test; referral based on assessment; self-referral

* Program Phases

Stage 1: Evaluation and Treatment

1. Evaluation by psychiatrist; 2. Failure to cooperate or comply with treatment contract results in fine; 3. All players advance to Stage 2

Stage 2: Drug Testing/Discipline

1. Urine tests--up to 10 per month for two years; 2. First positive test--four-game fine (four-week suspension if fined in Stage 1); 3. Second positive test--four game suspension (six-week suspension if fined in Stage 1) and advancement to Stage 3; 4. Failure to provide sample considered positive test.

Stage 3: Testing/Banishment

1. Urine tests--up to 10 per month for three years; 2. Any positive test results in banishment for minimum of one year.

NHL

* First-time Participants:

Receive treatment and no penalty.

* Second-time Participants:

Suspended without pay for “active phase of treatment” and then become eligible for reinstatement.

* Third-time Participants:

Suspended without pay for six months, then become eligible for reinstatement.

* Fourth-time Participants:

Suspended without pay for at least a year and not reassured of reinstatement

* Prevention:

Two doctors retained by the league and the union will meet with each team at least once a season in an attempt to prevent substance abuse and other health problems.