"Long an advocate for a level playing field in baseball, Mark Teixeira is elated that testing for human growth hormone will start in spring training.

"I hope we are at the point where we are testing for any illegal drugs,'' Teixeira told The Post yesterday. "There is no room in baseball, or any sport [for drugs]. I am glad we have a reliable test.''

A first failed HGH test will result in a player being suspended for 50 games.

"Players get suspended for violating the policy,'' said Teixeira, who will be honored as Sportsman of the Year by the March of Dimes today in Manhattan. "HGH testing should continue the pursuit of perfection. We want everybody to know we want to get all drugs out of the game.''"