MIAMI -- The Miami New Times has rejected a request from Major League Baseball for records that the alternative newspaper obtained for a story that alleges several players received performance-enhancing drugs from a now-closed anti-aging clinic.
New Times editor Chuck Strouse's response to MLB commissioner Bud Selig appeared on the paper's website Tuesday (http://bit.ly/W7VCzk).
Strouse cited journalistic ethics and the fact that the newspaper has already posted dozens of records on its website, omitting personal information of people who weren't involved in any wrongdoing.
The newspaper reported in January that six professional baseball players, including Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, bought human growth hormone and other PEDs during 2009-12 from Biogenesis of America LLC. The defunct anti-aging clinic in Coral Cables was operated by Anthony Bosch. Rodriguez has denied the allegations.
The story was based on clinic records, many with handwritten notations, that the New Times said it obtained.
Strouse confirmed his response by phone Tuesday night.
MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said, "While we appreciate the New Times consideration, we have been proceeding with our investigation as if we were not going to be getting documents from them."
