Notes: Fehr answers Phils' questions, By: Ken Mandel
March 5, 2006, MLB.com
MLBPA executive director discusses several issues with club
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Major League Baseball Players Association boss Donald Fehr made his annual stop at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater on Sunday to meet with the Phillies to discuss union issues.
Fehr wouldn't discuss specifics, but players said the two main topics were the new drug policy and the collective bargaining agreement, which expires in December.
Of the two, the greatest concern revolved around the drug issues.
"There were tons of questions, and there will keep being tons of questions," said pitcher Ryan Franklin, who served a 10-day suspension last season for testing positive for steroids. "Everybody wants to know what they're able to take, from GNC or a health store, or anywhere else."
On Nov. 17, owners approved a new drug policy that called for stiffer penalties for the use of steroids and amphetamines. The punishment for steroids is 50 games for a first positive test, 100 for a second and a lifetime ban for a third, with reinstatement possible after two years. Those penalties are tougher than last season, when it was 10 days, 30 days and 60 days, respectively, and a one-year suspension for a fourth offense.
Amphetamines presents a new level of testing, and anyone who tests positive is subject to a mandatory followup test. If another positive test occurs, that player would face a suspension of 25 games for a first offense, 80 games for a second and a lifetime ban after the third.
Franklin said players have been afraid of using any kind of supplement since the new policy went into effect, so bringing up the issue with Fehr aired some of their fears.
"I'll borrow stuff from my kids, Flintstones chewables," said Franklin.
"Pretty much anything that's sold in the U.S. hasn't tested positive," added Mike Lieberthal. "But you have to be careful with anything from out of the country."
Lieberthal said the emphasis was on staying clear of products that aren't through EAS, one of the companies that's able to supply supplements. Players should feel comfortable trusting those companies.
Players also asked Fehr about the new, stricter guidelines regarding amphetamines, and mentioned how important it is for players to educate themselves.
On the other issues, Fehr mentioned how he was hopeful that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement could be reached.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to get this done, but ask me in 90 or 100 days," Fehr said.
Fehr also said he's been pleased by some of the response for the World Baseball Classic, but noted that hindsight will help with improvements for the next one. One of the discussion points will likely be the timing of the event, and whether it's more practical -- and economically viable -- to hold the event in November.
"That's one of the things we'll look at," said Fehr. "The problem is this, if you play the World Series and the playoffs, when are you going to play? Bearing in mind, you're at the maximum point for fatigue and wear on the body, aches and pains and minor injuries and so on. Secondly, the day your team is out of the playoffs, you can't find anybody. They're gone, and that's understandable. I think it would be hard to do right after the season."
Feeling for Puckett: The news that Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett suffered a stroke hit Manuel hard.
The Phils skipper has many fond memories of Puckett, who Manuel coached at various Minor League stops.
"Kirby's my friend," Manuel said. "He was my favorite player because of the way he played. Kirby had all that energy, and was flamboyant. He carried a big smile. I called Kirby a natural leader."
Manuel recalled talking to the 10-time All-Star last spring and having the outfielder tell him he could "still hit .280 with one eye."
Puckett spent 12 seasons playing for the Twins before his career was cut short in 1996 due to irreversible damage to the retina in his right eye caused by glaucoma.
He called Manuel a "grinder."
"He used to send me a gallon of [whiskey] a month," Manuel said. "Then I had a heart attack and he wrote me a note and said, 'No more [whiskey].'"
Earlier this spring, Manuel recalled the first time he saw Puckett play. After that workout, when Twins minor-league scouts and officials gathered, somebody wondered if anyone had seen any big-leaguers.
Manuel said he had.
"Kirby Puckett."
Bell update: It's looking more like injured third baseman David Bell won't be ready for Opening Day.
Bell won't be able to resume baseball-related activities for at least a week and possibly two. He'll likely take it slow after that. With Opening Day looming on April 3, manager Charlie Manuel conceded that it might not include Bell.
"I think we're getting close to that," Manuel said.
Garrett's turn: Outfielder Shawn Garrett took his turn contributing to a Spring Training win Sunday, homering in the ninth inning.
While it was a good shot, it wasn't quite Ryan Howard-esque. Players were still talking about the second of Howard's two homers on Friday, one that ended up in the swamp outside of Bright House Networks Field.
"I don't have that one in my bat," Garrett said. "When he hit those the other day, I went up to (Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hitting coach) Sal Rende and asked, 'Can you teach me how to do that?' He said, 'I don't know if we can do that.' I got nothing on Howard."
No bad dreams: Tom Gordon had no nightmares of Melky Cabrera, Kevin Reese and Eric Duncan, the three Yankees farmhands who prevented him from earning a save Friday in his first appearance as a Phillie.
Instead, Gordon remembers pitching in the ninth inning with a 10-8 lead. That in itself is significant for him, and not just because he hasn't been a full-time closer since 2001.
In Spring Training games, at least the early ones, closers tend to pitch in the middle innings so they can face better competition and get their work in earlier.
Not Gordon.
"I want to get into that ninth inning, and into a situation where I'm starting to pace myself for that part of the game," said Gordon, who's scheduled to make his second appearance on Monday against Cincinnati. "I want to get my feet wet with it and remind myself of how it used to be. I won't worry about the results. It's more important to get that rhythm down, and prepare myself again."
Gordon said he threw exclusively fastballs during his outing, which means he was without his curve, also known as his signature out-pitch. He'll add that pitch in a few outings.
"The curve takes a lot more out of me, so I want to make sure my arm speed is up," Gordon said. "Then I'll start throwing it. I threw it early in camp, and that was a little premature."
Quotable: "When I first came in here, I was trying to figure out where I was going to play in [Triple-A] Scranton[/Wilkes-Barre]. I figured maybe I'll DH. The last thing on my mind, even up to today, was where do I fit in the big leagues. My worry was where do I fit in at Triple-A." -- Chris Coste, who delivered the game-tying hit in Sunday's win and is receiving consideration for a roster spot
Philling in: Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand and Lieberthal aren't scheduled to make Monday's trip to Sarasota, but Ryan Howard is. For Burrell, it will be his third straight day off, giving him time to rest his sore right foot.
Coming up: Franklin will make his second start of the spring, taking on the Reds in Sarasota at 1:05 p.m. ET. The right-hander and likely No. 4 starter allowed five hits in two innings against the Yankees in the Grapefruit League opener on March 2.
