Mooney: Byrd-Conte connection bothers Selig

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Saturday, March 5, 2011
Posted: 6:51 p.m.

By Patrick Mooney
CSNChicago.com

MESA, Ariz.Marlon Byrd has been upfront about his relationship with Victor Conte, the man behind Barry Bonds and BALCO.

Byrd recently sat down with HBOs Real Sports to explain how he trains with and takes supplements from Conte. The Cubs outfielder also addressed it at length at the beginning of spring training.

The connection bothers Bud Selig, whose legacy as baseballs commissioner is shaped in part by the steroid era.

Weve talked to him, Selig said Saturday at HoHoKam Park. He knows how we feel and its not a situation that makes me very happy.

For Byrdthe only player believed to still work with Conteits a non-issue. He trusts Conte and thinks hes the best in the business.

We talked about it in 2009, Byrd said. Its 2011.

Labor peace

In reality, with a collective bargaining agreement set to expire at years end, Selig has bigger problems to worry about. While the NFL works to avoid a lockout, Selig has already met with union leadership and has another session scheduled for next week in Arizona.

Were starting to work quietly and peacefully, Selig said. There used to be a lot of public statements and people banging on each other. While negotiations will be tough and well have difference of opinion, well do it in a constructive manner.

Selig said that Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has met extensively with Major League Baseball about renovating Wrigley Field, but he wouldnt reveal any details about those plans.

The Cubs are also preparing to build a new facility in Mesa that could leave HoHoKam and Fitch parks empty by 2014. Selig does not foresee a team moving from Florida to Arizona for spring training.

While there has been speculation that troubled franchises like Tampa Bay and Oakland could be contracted, Selig said the idea hasnt been discussed yet. Hes optimistic about this round of negotiations.

There was so much anger and so much hostility, Selig said, but those days are gone. Other sports now, in some cases, are feeling what we felt in the 1990s. Its painful.
Cease-fire

The pressure that overwhelmed Carlos Silva hasnt touched Randy Wells, who threw three innings during Saturdays 9-4 win over the San Diego Padres. Wells hasnt allowed an earned run in his first five innings this spring.

You cant really control it, Wells said. Either youre going to make the team, or Ill be at Triple-AI got options left. The way Im looking at it is: Yeah, it would suck to go to Triple-A, but there are worse things. I still got a job.

Seriouslyafter a down year and having to fight for a rotation spot, it puts things in perspective.

The Cubs are trying to do the same with Wednesdays dugout dispute between Silva and Aramis Ramirez.

Thats in the past, Alfonso Soriano said. Nobody talks about it anymore. They are grown men. They talked and they know (they) made mistakes. They go from there. The most important (thing) for everybody here is to start playing better and get ready for the season.

PatrickMooney is CSNChicago.com's Cubs beat writer. FollowPatrick on Twitter @CSNMooneyfor up-to-the-minute Cubs news and views.

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