Senators want tobacco out of the World Series
On the eve of the World Series, a group of senators is asking the Major League Baseball Players Assn. to ban all tobacco products from the field.
Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said that 15 million viewers were expected to tune in Wednesday night and that baseball players should set an example for the kids by prohibiting all tobacco, including smokeless tobacco products, on the field, in the dugout and in locker rooms.
“That would be a great message,” Durbin said on the Senate floor. “Show their fans how much they love them, that they’re willing to make an extra sacrifice.”
Durbin joined three other Democrats -- Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut –- in making the pitch.
The National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals, play host to the American League champions, the Texas Rangers, in the first game of the 2011 Fall Classic. The Rangers, before moving to Arlington, were the Washington Senators.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of the vice president, are taking part in on-field ceremonies before the game.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
