Canseco predicted "nothing positive" would result from the investigation, noting that players have agreed to tighten baseball's steroid policy twice in the last two years.
"I think Bud Selig has to be very careful what rocks he overturns," Canseco said. "The players, right now, are trying to help Major League Baseball clean up the game. If Major League Baseball pushes too much, the players will talk against Major League Baseball. And that's when Major League Baseball is going to go down.
"Bud Selig is treading on very thin ice."
In announcing the investigation, Selig did not use the name of Bonds, or any other player. But as Bonds shoots for the all-time home run record, Canseco claims Selig is shooting for Bonds.
"Bud Selig is doing his own investigation against certain individual players," Canseco said. "When Bud says the main topic of conversation is not Bonds, it really is. And, when you treat intelligent people like fools, they're going to get [ticked] off."
*
Canseco's two-run home run, in the top of the first inning, gives the Valley Mets a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the Mets give the lead back, and more. The second baseman drops a pop fly. The catcher throws a ball into center field. The shortstop overthrows first base. And Canseco, in left field, can't stop a ball rolling at him. After one inning, the Mets trail, 5-3.
During the game, one of the players on the other team tells his godson to round up his two friends and get Canseco's autograph. Zelman, the manager, tells the kids to wait until the game ends.
Fernando, 9, wants Canseco to sign his glove. Right here, Fernando says, pointing to a spot above the signature of Oscar Robles, the Dodgers utility infielder.
Andrew, 11, wants an autograph too, though he's not sure exactly why.
"All we know is he played with the A's," Andrew says.
You should know more, boys. You know Bonds, of course.
Canseco and Bonds were born 20 days apart in July 1964, Canseco in Havana and Bonds in Riverside. They made their major league debuts eight months apart, Canseco in September 1985, Bonds the following May.
Canseco was the first player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season, Bonds the second. As a rookie in 1986, Canseco hit 33 homers. He hit 42 in 1988, the year he won his American League most-valuable-player award.
