Senators demand answers from MLB on how it’s addressing ‘threats to baseball’s integrity’
Senate lawmakers sent a letter to MLB Commissioner demanding answers on how the league “is addressing alleged game manipulation and threats to baseball’s integrity.”
The Senate Commerce Committee, led by Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., sent the letter to Manfred on Monday more than a week after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted over their alleged roles in a gambling scheme.
Cruz and Cantwell also addressed questions to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after three figures in the league were arrested for their roles in separate schemes.
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In the letter, the lawmakers pointed to the case of former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Tucupita Marcano. He was banned for life for placing nearly 400 bets on baseball games. MLB said at the time that 25 bets involved wagers on Pirates games while Marcano was on the roster. The Pirates said there was “no evidence” of games being compromised.
“Which raises the question: how did MLB catch Marcano and ban him for life but failed to notice Clase allegedly rigging pitches for two years? The integrity of the game is paramount. MLB has every interest in ensuring baseball is free from influence and manipulation,” the letter read. “As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, we share that interest. But in light of these recent developments, MLB must clearly demonstrate how it is meeting its responsibility to safeguard America’s pastime. To that end, as detailed below, we request that MLB provide documents and information on how it is addressing the allegations against Clase and Ortiz, as well as its broader approach to preventing manipulation in the sport.
“An isolated incident of game rigging might be dismissed as an aberration, but the emergence of manipulation across multiple leagues suggests a deeper, systemic vulnerability. These developments warrant thorough scrutiny by Congress before misconduct issues become more widespread.”
The committee is asking for responses to six questions by Dec. 5.
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Fox News Digital reached out to MLB for comment.
Clase and Ortiz were arrested and appeared in federal court in New York last week.
Clase, a three-time All-Star, pleaded not guilty to charges that he took bribes to help gamblers win money on his pitches. Ortiz also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The two are set to return to court on Dec. 2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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