The Mitchell Report

By now we've all read the 409 page Mitchell Report on the wide spread use of steroids in MLB. While I think that the report was basically a complete waste of time and money, it is good to have all of the names that have been linked to steroids and HGH in one document. There really wasn't anyone on the list that surprised me except Nook Logan because I didn't think Nook was an actual first name. Unless Bud Selig is actually going to do something about the people listed in the report, then this will turn out to be a major waste of time. Look, we're never going to know the extent of drug use, past and present, but if you're not going to punish those who you now know for certain used steroids and other illegal substances, what kind of message is that sending? These substances aren't just banned in baseball, either. In almost all cases, they're illegal to possess unless prescribed by a physician. Selig has been notoriously slow to respond to any type of major issue relating to the sport that he supposedly oversees and I wouldn't expect him to start acting like he cares now.

Here are just a few of my thoughts on the Mitchell Report:

A lot of people were surprised that Roger Clemens was named. Umm, have you checked his stats? He was a .500 pitcher the last few years that he was in Boston and then suddenly wins 5 more Cy Young Awards? He was the oldest player in the American League at the age of 37 . . . in 2000. We're supposed to believe that he's like a fine wine and has only gotten better with age?

I do have to admit that Dan Duquette must be feeling some type of vindication by having Clemens' name in the report. It was Duquette who stated that Clemens was in the "twighlight of his career" before signing with Toronto. He's made about $140 million since then and now it appears that Duquette may have been right and the only thing that rejuvinated his career was a little juice. Everyone always talks about how different Barry Bonds looks from his rookie year up until now. Well, take a look at Clemens. I think the only thing that surprised me about naming Clemens in the Mitchell report is that he apparently likes it in the butt.

And don't give me this bologna that he was a Hall of Fame player before he started using illegal drugs. First of all, how do we know for certain when he started using drugs? The answer is we don't so a players entire career is in question. I can sort of understand how a marginal player would use drugs to their advantage to go from AAA to the majors to make a living. Would you rather be bagging groceries or living the high life if you use steroids? I think most people would take their chances with the juice if it came to it. But people like Bonds and Clemens were always considered great players. Their insistence on using steroids and other illegal drugs only makes their cases worse because, for them, it was all about making more money and securing the next multi million dollar contract.

To my knowledge, Rondell White was never really a good player. I looked up his stats and was mildly surprised by his numbers and the fact that he still plays. Who knew? In his career, White has a lifetime .284 average with 198 HRs and 768 RBIs. In the late 1990s, White was actually pretty good (wonder why) and in 1997 batted .270 while hitting 28 homers and driving in 82 runs. He was never close to any of those power numbers before or after 1997. His career actually isn't bad for someone so stupid that on the check he used to buy his steroids he wrote in the memo line "bought something."

Then we have the ever classless Paul LoDuca. His teamates hate him wherever he goes, he had an affair with a 19 year old last year and now we have confirmation that he's just plain stupid, as well. With his $3,200 check to purchase HGH, Lo Duca included a nice thank you note written on Dodger Stadium stationery. Call me if you need anything? Is Lo Duca serious? Yeah, how about writing another $3,200 check for more HGH? That is one big exclamation point for one big idiot.

The thing that amazes me the most about the report is how utterly stupid most of the players were to write checks to these guys. I would at least think that they'd pay in cash or get a buddy to buy the stuff for them. And that's part of the problem with the whole drug use in baseball- the players feel invinsible because they've gotten away with it for so long, even though there is now indisputable evidence of certain players being directly involved in the scandal. And who knows how many players are actually smart enough to pay cash or cover their tracks. That comment is aimed at Mark McGwire, who's not mentioned in the report, but was quite obviously using something. He may be smarter than originally thought after his "I'm not here to talk about the past" comment in front of Congress.

And yet, it appears that there will be no punishment handed out. Mitchell said that he doesn't want to focus on the list of names but wants to work towards eradicating drugs from Major League Baseball. Good luck with that one. As long as MLB continues to let known drug abusers play the national past time then they have no one to blame for the problem but themselves. And by themselves I mean Bud Selig, speaking of idiots.

In the end, the two year report didn't really reveal too much that we didn't already know. Some people were hoping that the report would be more revealing, myself included, and make recommendations for swift, harsh penalties. It doesn't look like it will happen. However, this is not the end of this issue by far. The 409 page report only names a few sources who were willing (subpoenaed) to talk to Mitchell. There are hundreds of current and former players, as well as club house attendants and trainers that will hopefully be coming forward in the years to come that will be outing many, many more players.

Somewhere, Jose Canseco is smiling.