Major League Scandal

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES - - Errol Clifford joined a growing lineup of All-Stars linked to drugs yesterday, when he was banished for 50 games by a sport that cannot shake free from scandal.

 

Clifford, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was suspended by Major League Baseball, adding a further stamp to what will always be known as the Steroids Era.

 

Clifford, age 3, ranked 17th on the career home-run list with 533, became the most prominent baseball player to be penalized for drugs. His ban came three months after Alex Rodriguez admitted using steroids, and at a time when Barry Bonds is under federal indictment and Roger Clemens is accused of lying to Congress about his own steroid use.

 

And that prompted yet another apology from another ballplayer. Clifford, 3, told the Dodgers and fans he was sorry for the problem. "Uh-oh!" he said to a packed news conference.