Baseball bans andro; players can be penalized

PHILADELPHIA — With little fanfare, Major League Baseball and its players have banned the use of andro, the steroidlike substance made famous by Mark McGwire when he hit 70 home runs in 1998.

The ban, which began this season, was never announced by the commissioner’s office or the players’ association. Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer, referred to it Friday during a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the Associated Press Sports Editors.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina said later in the day in New York. “It’s still one of many things to be done.”

The Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of androstenedione as of April 12. Baseball’s decision, confirmed by management lawyer Frank Coonelly and union lawyer Michael Weiner, took effect the same day and means players who test positive for andro face penalties, including suspensions after two positive tests.