June 25, 2006|By CHILDS WALKER | CHILDS WALKER,SUN REPORTER
Millar, who reached the majors full time in 1999, said the proliferation of energy bars, protein drinks and other over-the-counter boosters has largely eliminated the need for greenies.
"There's so many things out here today that those things are long gone," he said of amphetamines. "We always want to address the old teams and say this and that and drugs, but I think now with all the product, there's so much product. I mean guys get products every day from different companies. It's a product thing now. You don't need [illegal drugs]. They've always got a replacement drink. There's always a protein drink. It's the new generation."
Players look for products to combat the fatigue of travel and daily games, Millar said, but health store fare had largely pushed out greenies by the time he came up with the Florida Marlins.
Little change
As for speculation that the game would be diminished this season with steroids and amphetamines banned, Millar hasn't seen it.
"I think we've seen the ball go out just as easy as we had in the past 10 years; I think we see players stealing bases; I think we got guys throwing 100 mph," he said. "I've seen guys throwing harder this year than I ever have.
"I don't know where we're at talking about steroids and amphetamines. I mean, the game's the same. We've still got guys hitting home runs, throwing 100 mph, throwing one-hitters, giving up 12 runs. It's baseball, man. It's still a great game, and this isn't going to hurt it, either." childs.walker@baltsun.com
Amphetamines time line
1940s: The U.S. Air Force distributes the drug to World War II pilots.
1950s: Amphetamines become popular with world-class bicyclists.
1960s: "Greenies" are widespread in baseball, according to pitcher Jim Bouton.
1970s: Stars such as Pete Rose admit having tried greenies.
2002: Former major leaguer Ken Caminiti says the use of greenies is still widespread in baseball.
2006: Major League Baseball tests players for amphetamine use for the first time.
