[ by Melanie Gretchen  and Howard Haykin ] A federal insider trading investigation that began in Los Angeles, has moved to Baltimore, MD, where a Hall of Fame slugger for the Orioles baseball team is one of several former professional athletes under investigation.  The SEC is participating in this 3-year old investigation, that stems from the buyout of a medical device company. The Case. Federal prosecutors and securities regulators are trying to determine whether star slugger Eddie Murray traded on inside information that Abbott Laboratories was about to announce a deal in January 2009 to acquire Advanced Medical Optics for $2.8 billion, sources said.  Previous reports on the investigation from Los Angeles did not identify any of the players under scrutiny. Mr. Murray, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, could not be reached for comment.  Michael Proctor, who represents the Hall of Famer in this matter, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  Diane Hock, a lawyer who represents Murray in his post-baseball marketing deals, said she had heard about an investigation, but declined to comment further. Insider Trading Connection. Mr. Murray came under investigation after a probe led to the filing of a civil insider trading case against former Orioles player Doug DeCinces, with whom he played on the Orioles from 1977 to 1982.  In August 2011, DeCinces agreed to pay $2.5 million in fines to settle the case, while neither admitting nor denying wrongdoing in the trading of Advanced Medical Optics shares. In turn, the DeCinces case was a product of the insider trading investigation that led to the conviction of Galleon Management hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam and charges against dozens of traders and corporate consultants.  To date, investigators have traced leaks about the Advanced Medical Optics deal to a number of places, including people who worked for the medical device company; its law firm, Skadden Arps; and its merger adviser, Goldman Sachs Group Inc, according to court records and people familiar with that matter.

"We have been aware of these allegations for more than two years, investigated them (and) fully cooperated with federal authorities in the matter." -- A Goldman spokesman.

A Hit Career. Following 10 years as a first baseman for the Orioles, Mr. Murry spent 3 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Afterward, he was picked up by the New York Mets, the Cleveland Indians and the then-Anaheim Angels. During his career, he hit 504 home runs, making him one of the best switch hitters, who can hit from either side of the plate.  Upon retiring, he became the first base coach for the Dodgers and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003. For further details, go to:   [Reuters, 6/20/12].