What we can learn from the Mitchell Report

Former United States Senator George J. Mitchell conducted an extensive and in-depth investigation over the obvious use of anabolic steroids by Major League Baseball players. The 409-page document was released last December. The 20-month investigation pointed out 80 current or former players who are alleged or have admitted usage of steroids or any other type of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Some players implicated were one-time all-stars others had very brief careers in MLB.

COPY THE FOLLOWING LINK & PASTE IT INTO YOUR BROSER FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF PLAYERS NAMED IN THE MITCHELL REPORT (ESPN)
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3153646


Mitchell was appointed by MLB Commissioner Alan H. “Bud” Selig to lead the investigation after the book Game of Shadows implicated a number of current or former players who have allegedly used PEDs. Investigative reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada wrote the book which chronicles use of several types of steroids by such baseball superstars as Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield. The book introduced usage of the newest steroid human-growth hormone (HGH, which is an undetectable synthetic PED that is believed to help players recover faster from hard work-outs and injuries. The investigation was conducted after U.S. Congress members pointed out several flaws with the overall effectiveness of the MLB drug policy and it's drug-testing program. Currently urine samples cannot detect HGH, but they can detect other forms of anabolic steroids.

Previously, before the modern MLB drug policy that is retroactive to 2002 under the MLB and MLB Players Association (MLBPA) collective bargaining agreement, players were only tested for steroids if there was “reasonable cause”. Unfortunately according to Mitchell the MLBPA was very uncooperative in his investigation. In fact when Mitchell asked to conduct an interview with MLBPA CEO Gene Orza, he declined.

What upset me the most about this report was the discovery Mitchell sent a memorandum out to each and every active player associated with MLB. In this memo he urged any player to come forward with any relevant information to his investigation. However, NOT A SINGLE PLAYER contacted him or responded to his memorandum. Furthermore the MLBPA sent out a memorandum URGING PLAYERS NOT TO COOPERATE. It is good to note however that steroid usage in MLB has declined. In fact only 3 players were suspended during the 2007 for abuse of the MLB drug policy concerning steroids.

To say the least bit Mitchell did what he could to ensure he would deliver an effective and comprehensive report. However, due to the lack of cooperation from current players and the MLBPA, his report has been viewed by many as inconclusive although there is strong evidence against several players that they have used steroids. Evidence included in the report include bank checks, prescriptions, “cycle” legers and shipping invoices. Mitchell met with former New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski who suggested that several players had approached him about purchasing HGH and how to use it. Furthermore, he had supplied it to them and given them information about how to use it. Radomski, along with Brian McNamee, the former trainer for Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte (whom were named in the report by McNamee), were the main providers of information to the report.

The Mitchell Report led me to ponder a number of questions…

1.) How could it be that not a single player in MLB has any relevant information regarding steroid usage in, or out of the clubhouse, when there have been several admitted users currently and in the past?

That’s right. Nobody spoke up although several current or former Baltimore Orioles players have admitted to or have been accused of using steroids.(Not to single-out any team individually, because all 30 MLB teams had or have a player named in this report) Also, you would think that a player using steroids would have at least asked someone around the clubhouse if they have any information about the drugs. (We all know birds of a feather flock together) Furthermore, why is it now that it seems every player wants to co-operate with Mitchell? Shame on them! What are they scared of being prosecuted?! They should’ve assisted him in the first place….

2.) Why in the hell would the MLBPA urge players not to cooperate?
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This goes to show you the lack of power Mitchell had conducting this investigation. If he had sufficient power there full cooperation in his investigation would have been mandatory and perhaps more insight could have been offered into his investigation.

3.) With the upcoming Congressional hearings, will their be any punishment for the MLBPA’s and the owners’ allege sabotage of Mitchell’s investigation?

My guess is not. I doubt Congress will even bring up this issue, although I strongly believe they should investigate MLBPA CEO Gene Orza and MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr’s involvement in such an activity because according to what I have read in the Mitchell Report I have concluded that perhaps team owners and the Players Association conspired to downplay the need for an effective drug policy. Following the 1994 MLB Strike, Commissioner Selig proposed a plan to begin random drug testing of athletes, however his idea, “never made it to the main table” and was therefore disregarded. Moreover, the owners seemed to be more worry about the decreasing economic gains from baseball events. It is my belief that the owners and MLBPA denied Selig’s suggestion in order to increase profits, or at least prevent them from slipping any further.

In closing, I guess we will have to wait until the next step in procuring the integrity of Major League Baseball for now and the future. The Congressional hearings that are scheduled to take place January 16 should be the next great stepping stone in helping baseball rid itself of steroids and suspicion. The Mitchell Report did implicate a number of players and connect them to using steroids. However, now it is up to Commissioner Selig to decide which cases do in fact effect the integrity of MLB and to seek out forms of punishment. Whether it be stripping a Cy Young Award winner from the award, or banishing someone from the Hall of Fame, I do believe Selig will seek justice in certain cases.

Funny though the 2008 attendance ratings just came out and it appears MLB has just broken it’s record for attendance for the fourth consecutive year…funny ain’t it?