Congress places spotlight on Fehr

McCain admonished the head of the baseball players union.

WASHINGTON -- Hank Aaron and other members of the Hall of Fame told Congress they back Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig's bid for tougher steroid penalties.

Then, lawmakers told players union chief Donald Fehr that he needs to act soon -- a stance punctuated by Sen. John McCain's admonishment, "Don't you get it?"

Commissioners and union leaders from the NFL, NBA and NHL also testified Wednesday at a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on legislation that would standardize steroid policies in professional sports.

But the focus was squarely on baseball -- and, more precisely, on Fehr, who told senators he thinks a new drug-testing agreement could be reached next month.

"I particularly single out baseball. And in baseball, I particularly single out the players," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., "because they have negotiated reluctantly, if at all."

Lawmakers looking at steroids in sports have concentrated on baseball since March 17, when Rafael Palmeiro, Selig and Fehr testified before the House Government Reform Committee. Palmeiro told Congress he never used steroids; he was suspended Aug. 1 after failing a drug test.

"We're at the end of the line," said McCain, R-Ariz. "How many more Rafael Palmeiros is there going to be?"