Mitchell: Congress could get involved

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell of Maine warned owners yesterday that a lack of cooperation with his investigation into steroid use will "significantly increase" the chances of government involvement. Speaking to owners at baseball's quarterly meetings in Phoenix, Mitchell said he intends to interview active players and raised the possibility Congress or other government authorities could compel testimony. He cited last week's Hall of Fame vote to underscore the importance of his investigation. Mark McGwire, suspected of steroid use, was picked on 23.5 percent of ballots -- far below the necessary 75 percent needed for induction. Mitchell warned the clubs that Congress or other federal or state authorities that have subpoena power could get involved. "I believe that a report that is not credible and thorough will significantly increase the possibility of action by others, especially if it's the result of a lack of cooperation by the clubs, or by anyone else who is or has been involved with baseball," Mitchell said. He was hired by commissioner Bud Selig last March following more than a year of allegations against Barry Bonds, McGwire, and other stars . . . Meanwhile in Washington, Representative John Conyers, the new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has asked the Department of Justice to stop trying to compel two reporters to reveal who leaked BALCO steroid grand jury testimony. A federal judge already has ordered San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams jailed until they comply with government subpoenas demanding detailed information about how they received the testimony of Bonds, Jason Giambi, and others.

In the Dominican Republic, Bonds offered support for McGwire and Pete Rose, saying they fully deserve a place in the Hall of Fame. Bonds, the target of an ongoing probe into possible perjury for saying he had never knowingly taken performance-enhancing drugs when he testified in the BALCO case in 2003, spoke on his arrival in Santo Domingo for the Juan Marichal Golf Classic. "I hope he gets more votes in the coming years," Bonds said of McGwire. Bonds said Rose -- banned from baseball for gambling -- should also be in Cooperstown, given his standing as the career hits leader . . . Robert Nutting was given approval by the owners in Phoenix to take control of the Pittsburgh Pirates from Kevin McClatchy, who will remain the team's chief executive officer . . . The Diamondbacks and pitcher Doug Davis agreed on a three-year, $22 million contract.

Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche and Brendan Shanahan of the New York Rangers will be the captains in the NHL All-Star Game Wednesday night. Sakic, the West captain, will be playing in his 12th All-Star Game and his fourth as a starter. He was the MVP of the 2004 game, the most recent because of the lockout in 2005 and an Olympics break last year. Shanahan, the East captain, is an All-Star for the eighth time. At 37, he's the oldest player on either squad . . . The Los Angeles Kings claimed goalie Sean Burke, 39, off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning . . . Former NHL player Paul Gardner has been named coach of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, a Russian Superleague club.

Ron West, hired by West Virginia as assistant head football coach and offensive line coach, has decided to return to Clemson. "Ron West called today to inform me that he has changed his mind," Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez said . . . West Virginia running back Steve Slaton had surgery on his right wrist and will miss spring practice. Slaton injured the wrist during the 2005 season. He also hurt his left elbow and wrist in a Nov. 2 loss at Louisville and played sparingly in the Gator Bowl after suffering a deep thigh bruise in practice. Despite the injuries, Slaton set a school record with 1,744 rushing yards . . . Rod Broadway took over Grambling State's football program, leaving North Carolina Central.

The New England Revolution selected three players in the Major League Soccer supplemental draft: goalkeeper Phil Marfuggi, defender Gary Flood, and midfielder/forward Chris Loftus . . . Craig Mottram, the 2005 World Cross-Country Championship bronze medalist, and Alistair Craig, the 2005 European Indoor champion at 3,000 meters, will race in the 3,000 at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games Jan. 27 at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center . . . Tour de France runner-up Oscar Pereiro twice tested positive for an asthma drug during the race, the French daily Le Monde reported. The newspaper said the International Cycling Union granted the Spanish rider a certificate to use salbutamol for medical reasons and has decided not to pursue disciplinary action. But France's anti-doping agency does not believe the waiver was medically justified, according to Le Monde . . . The planned Brooklyn arena that will house the New Jersey Nets has a new name: the Barclays Center. The British bank signed a 20-year deal to place its name on the 18,000-seat facility. .content>