Major League Baseball (MLB) will comply with a request from the U.S. Senate for documents related to its investigation of gambling in the league.
“We’re going to respond fully and cooperatively and on time to the Senate inquiry,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said during a Nov. 20 press conference on the sidelines of an owners meeting.
“Integrity, honesty, and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants, but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us.”
Attorneys for Ortiz and Clase said their clients are innocent. The two players have been on paid leave since July.
Questions include how and when the MLB was made aware of suspicious betting and game manipulation activity by Clase or Ortiz, and “the extent to which MLB has addressed and plans to further address the alleged instances of sports betting, gambling, and game rigging.”
Documents requested by the committee include how MLB investigates sports betting, as well as communications between MLB and betting platforms or sports gambling integrity monitors.“The integrity of the game is paramount. MLB has every interest in ensuring baseball is free from influence and manipulation,” Cruz and Cantwell wrote.
“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.”
MLB has authorized game operators to cap bets on individual pitches to $200 and make them ineligible on parlays.
“We think the steps we’ve taken in terms of limiting the size of these prop bets and prohibiting parlays off them is a really, really significant change that should reduce the incentive for anyone to be involved in an inappropriate way,” Manfred said.
