MLB May Issue Alcohol Ban in Baseball Clubhouses

Major League Baseball (MLB) is considering whether to issue a ban on alcohol in baseball clubhouses following reports of beer drinking in the Boston Red Sox clubhouse during games this season. The players who were involved said they were never intoxicated.

“It’s something we’re concerned about,” MLB Vice President Joe Torre told USA Today. He added, “We’re supposed to be role models for youngsters.” The Arizona Diamondbacks and several other teams already ban alcohol in their clubhouses, the article notes. Most teams allow alcohol in the clubhouse after games and on team flights.

Last week, four U.S. senators asked the baseball players union to agree to a ban on chewing tobacco at the World Series. “When players use smokeless tobacco, they endanger not only their own health, but also the health of millions of children who follow their example,” the senators wrote to Michael Weiner, who heads the union.

A coalition of health groups has been advocating for a ban on tobacco in the next baseball players’ contract. The current contract expires in December.