March 17, 200521 yr The Big Hurt's testimony for tomorrow was released early because he won't be able to make it there due to an ankle injury, it'll be on video conference. The White Sox's Frank Thomas released an advance copy of his testimony tomorrow before the U.S. House Government Reform Committee hearing on steroids. Thomas' testimony will take place Thursday via video conferencing from Tucson, Ariz. Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf also issued a statement in support of Thomas and thanking the Committee for its flexibility in allowing Thomas to testify via video conference. Frank Thomas' Statement: Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. I want to thank the Chairman and the ranking member for allowing me to make this statement. My name is Frank Thomas and I am a baseball player for the Chicago White Sox--a team I am proud to have been part of since joining Major League Baseball in 1989. First of all, Mr. Chairman, let me say that as an outspoken critic of steroids, I would like to work with this Committee, Major League Baseball, and the Players Association to warn everyone ? especially young people ? about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. Steroids are dangerous and the public should be educated about them, and in particular, parents should make sure their children are aware that steroids can be bad for their health. I also believe the league and the Players' Association have done the right thing by reopening our collective bargaining agreement and strengthening our policy on drug testing. I support this new policy as a very good first step in eliminating steroid use from the sport I love. I have been a major league ballplayer for 15 years. Throughout my career, I have not used steroids. Ever. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. The thing that's great is the final line. All of this is under oath, and a comment like that pressures the other players to say something along the same line. I wonder what Sammy will say. Too bad Frank Thomas won't able to give that speech tomorrow in person... http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines
March 17, 200521 yr Thomas has been one of my favorite ballplayers for a long time. If what he says in his statement is true, it would make me an even bigger fan, if that's even possible. But I remain cautiously open-minded -- they are rich celebrities after all.
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