The Mitchell Report
Sean says...
Well baseball fans the day finally came. The list is out there and are we really surprised? We all know that everyone is to blame for perpetuating use of steroids and human growth hormone (HGH). The players who used, the players who remained silent, the baseball organizations, and the drug testing itself. We even have us to blame since it is we who demand excellence from our players every season. But in the end it is the user to blame for their own problem and therefore the impetous is on them to pay penance, accept their blame, and prove to themselves alone that their natural talent is what makes them the best in the world at their sport and not drugs or other enhancements.
I think the only three names that really surprised me were Brian Roberts, Andy Pettitte, and Matt Herges. I will say that I don't know much about Herges' career so I point to that as the reason about my surprise. He seemed like a true team leader for the Colorado Rockies this year. The New York Yankees' Pettitte is on my list since he comes off as a man of integrity, but I guess not. Makes me wonder with all these former and current Yanks being fingered if Joe Torre knew anything? So that leaves Baltimore Orioles' Roberts with my jaw-dropping award from yesterday.
Now the question is quickly bandied about as to whether all this is true. I believe that George Mitchell wouldn't print it if it weren't given the issue of slander litigation as a consequence. That leaves a lot of people with explaining to do. I think we can all agree though as far as recommendations Mitchell had it right on drug testing and laying blame across the board.
I read Roger Clemens already denied the use after a detailed documentation of his use was published in the report. I am sure he isn't the last. Let's have these guys man up and ask Commissioner Bud Selig - at least among the active players - to suspend them for 15 to 30 games without pay perhaps as an attempt at showing humility. Granted legal issues would have to set aside for that to happen but America at least loves people who take their lumps and admit their faults. And in the end, if players actually did that independent of any agents or professional stubornness they would be rewarded ten fold in the eyes of the fans I think.
(I will go on record now that Boston's former reliever Eric Gagne will now be referred to as "Gag Me" in public discussions from now on! Good luck Milwaukee!)
What do you all think?
