01:00 AM EST on Saturday, March 19, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It was baseball's version of must-see TV, and a number of Red Sox players -- their scheduled game against the Florida Marlins postponed Thursday because of rain -- spent the afternoon watching the televised congressional hearings on steroid abuse in baseball.

"I thought the whole hearing was crazy," said the always opinionated David Wells.

"Like most things," said manager Terry Francona, "I think some (politicians) were better prepared than others. In some instances, Congress has an obligation to pronounce people's names right (Players Association executive director Don Fehr had his name mispronounced several times) and know who owns a club and who doesn't." (One congressman seemed to think San Diego GM Kevin Towers was the Padres' owner.)

Asked if he believed that some of the congressmen had engaged in political grandstanding, catcher Jason Varitek said, smiling: "I'm not going to comment on that."

Wells believed that Congress had unfairly singled out baseball.

"They're worried about our sport and our sport only," Wells said. "A lot of kids go to wrestling matches. Look at those guys. If you're going to compare size, go to a wrestling match. (Politicians) are making a mockery of our game."

He also took a shot at commissioner Bud Selig, whom he claimed was "trying to blame us all. He backstroked. It's crazy. I don't think we're ever going to be on the same page."

Wells didn't elaborate on his remarks, or specify what in Selig's testimony angered him.

The burly pitcher, who poked fun at his own physique ("The more this goes on, I look great; I'm just the big, fat guy,") said if any of the players who testified can be proven guilty of past steroid use "they should be reprimanded. If you're going to put an asterisk next to them, fine. But at the same time (when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were under suspicion), there was no testing."

Varitek seemed to resent Washington's intrusion into the matter and claimed that the game's testing policy -- fortified by a tougher, more stringent penalty phase and renegotiated last month -- is accomplishing the goal of ridding the game of steroids.

"All I know is, I can look back over the last couple of years and see a big difference (in the number of players who might be using them)," said Varitek. "It takes the process a while. I believe we're taking the right steps. I want (steroids) out of the game, too, but it takes time."

Most of those who watched agreed that McGwire struggled the most of those who testified. McGwire repeatedly dodged questions about possible steroid use and often answered, "I'm not here to talk about the past."

"I think he's kind of a private person, from what I know of him," said Francona. "It was a difficult day for him. He looked tortured. Emotionally, I'm sure it was a tough day for him."

"Until (McGwire) comes out and admits it, it's tough," Wells said. "I'm sure a lot of people are going to have questions with Mark. But I believe him until proven otherwise."

Wells and Varitek had little sympathy for Jose Canseco, whose tell-all book, Juiced, kicked off much of the debate about steroid use in the game. Wells noted that while Canseco had no problem "ratting out" former teammates, he requested immunity before testifying Thursday.

"For the benefit of one person, (trying to make) money on a book," Varitek said. "I disagree with that. For one person's glorification of himself, whether he's lying or not -- I just don't believe in that."

Asked what he would do if he encountered his one-time teammate, Wells said: "Laugh at him . . . walk away. Obviously, he's desperate for attention."

Francona urged patience on the part of those who might be tempted to exploit the issue.

"People need to calm down," he said. "It's a hot-button topic, but people need to do their homework (on the subject)."

"I'm glad I'm at the tail end of my career," said Wells, 41, "because I'm not going to be involved in this craziness."