From the Pressbox

let me get this straight...
the MLB and some fans and a particular senator are upset that some players used performance enhancing drugs even though there was no policy against there use. and the players who took advantage are now ostrasized for doing so. seems a little biggotted to me. if something is not against the rules, and it can help your performance, why not use it? and, referring specifically to steroids, you don't just take them and get better. you still need to put your time in in the gym and in training. it's not like these players sat on the couch and took steroids and became better players. they don't work that way. and here's a little known or publicized fact - steroids are legal for personal use in the united states.

if a player looked at the rules of MLB and used the rules to their advantage, good for them. shame on everyone else for insinuating otherwise.

Not sure what else to say about all this garbage. A $20 million dollar report to put a few names on paper stating that tey had once used (and possibly still are) one type of performance enhancing drug. Its all a huge waste of cash if u ask me. You want drugs outta the game? Well you must take the drastic step, no matter how much it hurts the game because right now i dont think the game can be hurt too much more. People are getting sick and tired of reading and hearing all the promises like, we will find the cheaters, we will clean up the game. Gimme a break. The drastic measure is by randomally testing players throughout the year without notice. No warning that a test is coming. And the thing is, if you get caught then hey, you get suspended and fined. People will then know who is and isnt on them. I dont care who "was" on them. Nothing can be done now. Lets get a move on this.

Who really cares...if some guy wants to pump himself full of harmful drugs...then so be it. if baseball was more exciting then watching poker or fishing on tv, then I might care. baseball is probably the worst sport known to man. Let baseball die in flames.

There are so many cheats in MLB that it now
puts anyone who has a good season under scrutiny. Sad. Salaries are so high anyone
will do anything to get better and hence get
the lottery. Morales and ethics can just be
parked for a while until career is over. There
just does not seem to be enough of a penalty
in place for the cheats. Selig is a joke , but
what can he realistically do. About the only
people to benefit will be all the lawyers.

Base Ball. The game has basement-ed before and no doubt will find a way to fall down the steps again after it climbs out of its most recent hole. I'm not sure it matters - not sure what it means to any of the rest of us. These men are attempting to climb a ladder to the gods - but to get to the rarefied air of pro sport is such a sirens call. The money, adoration will all be yours if you can just make it to the bigs. Who can blame 'em? They want to win - be included in the winner's circle. What does it say to the kids? That everywhere are liars and mountebanks? That to get to the top you've got to dissemble and step on whomever or whatever to get there? That an astericks isn't a star at the end of your name? I don't think so. We seem destined to repeat our sins - now and all the befores. This will pass and be replaced by our next indignation . There are many in the sport who push themselves everyday in a clean way - if we need role models beyond a decent heart - maybe we should look to them.

Pete

Just because they SHOULDN'T be a role model, doesn't mean that they aren't. I hate baseball, more for the actual game than the politics, but I think that sport can provide a source of positive role models for kids. As a parent (which I'm not), I would be much more uncomfortable with my child watching any entertainment or celebrity news than a game of baseball.

I was born in 1958. When I was 11, the Expos came to my hometown of Montreal. I have 2 books still from that era: the official Baseball Encyclopedia,which my Father gave me; and Ball Four, which I bought myself. I loved baseball and the Expos until 1994, when things conspired to steal a championship from us. But I was jaded since I read Ball Four (by Jim Bouton. Having read that book, I was never surprised by any revelation of drug use by pro athletes. I remain incredulous that pro hockey apparently has no such issue! My interest in watching these professional cheaters has lessened every year. I will pay to watch whatever pro entertainers I like, but I will not ever pay to watch any pro athlete who purports to be anything but what he or she is: a pro entertainer! The very idea that ANY pro athlete be regarded as a role-model is an anathema to me!

That's right, Elliot - nothing to see here, move along... Shooting the messenger and ignoring the message is always a good strategy: don't want to compromise your access to locker rooms or corporate boxes, do you? Do you actually have an opinion on cheating? (yep, doping is cheating...) Ever think that the naming of 'no-name' players might be indicative of how deep-rooted the problem is? No comment on the Player's union and the office of the commissioner conspiring to suppress reports of positive tests? No comment on Frank Thomas being about the only active player to actually talk to the commission and saying "they need to test"? It's all in the report... I'm assuming that you think professional sports players aren't role models and have no effect on kids - that's why there aren't any high school football players using steriods, and why there is no way there would ever be something like, oh, let's see, eight-year-old hockey teams in bench-clearing brawls? Nope, it's just a game, and no need to apply conventional standards of right and wrong....

This steriods era leaves the record books in shambles and by extension the Hall of Fame is a joke too. Those in power can use this opportunity to right some wrongs now; as they struggle to keep out the McGwires and Clemens and Bonds they can undo the long standing wrong of overlooking Roger Maris for entry inot the Hall of Fame. Not one person who is untainted by steriod accusations has surpassed 61 home runs in one season.

Most of the press and Mitchell are missing what the sport was suppose to identify - performance ENHANCING drugs. By not including the most abused drug in baseball (Amphetamines) in his report Mitchell proved that he just another politician looking to deceive the public. The report will do little to correct the current situation and will direct the attention of the public away from the problem - performance enhancing doping. In fairness to Bonds, Clements and the others they are being convicted on hearsay and not facts. Advanced, impartial testing is needed with attention being paid to all substances which slant the playing field.

Big friggin deal.. the lid has blown open on the MLB.. theres juice in every sport.. some athletes have better lab techs then others.. Put yourself in their shoes... Its quite easy to get caught up in that million dollar racket..If im Greg Zaun.. yes sir.. if doing a couple rounds of juice keeps me in the majors and creates a great financial nest egg for my family..sign me up.. all you have to do is pull a Giambi and simply apologize... no one has talked about him since he said "yah.. about that... sorry.. ".. I wouldnt want to be Selig.. toughest commisioner job going.. that said.. by not testing for HGH.. he is saving alot of paper work.. THATS WHAT THEY ALL TAKE!!!!

What crisis? So players poked themselves full of holes and augmented their training regime to increase their physical strength. It happened at a time (for the most part) when there were no rules and regulations against using physical enhancements. And, given that we can all suspect that the vast majority of players were doing it at the time, an augmented hitter going against an augmented pitcher should be viewed the same. The past is the past. We didn't have rules against it in the 80's and 90's, therefore, noone broke any rules. The rules in the game have changed over the years, and some records that were set were done so at a time when conditions favoured the opportunity. In the season of deadballs, ERA's were low. But it still takes the right person to seize that opportunity and make it their own. I have been a Jay's fan since that first game, and I hated watching Clemens tear up our lineup (all the more so because my best friend was a Red Sox fan) but you know what, he is a great pitcher and deserves his achievements and accolades. As a columnist noted once a few months ago, when Barry Bonds was the only target for this, it was really only an issue because Bonds is not a likeable person. I have a newsflash, neither was Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb.

If we decide that from this day forward a drug free league is a necessity, then do so. And implement enough testing to guarantee you will catch everyone who does it. But for heaven's sake, leave the past alone. I don't care if Clemens took steroids, he was a great batter. So it added a few extra mph to his fastball. The difference between a 90mph and 94mph fastball is not the difference which gives you 7 cy young awards. The faster it comes in, the faster it goes out, so you need some talent to do something with that.

Hi Elliot
Good comment on Selig; when I heard the press conference I was laughing, he was speaking as if he did so much, but so little was done.

As you said, it was convenient to cover it up until the pressure was too much.

I could've guessed 99% of those names that were on the report. Were you really surprised that Eric Gagne was on the list? Please. It was obvious when he was on the Dodgers breaking records. The thing is, that there's so many more players that should be included that somehow didn't make the list.
Nomar? Textbook. At least there's more than one player taking the wrath of this steroid thing than Barry Bonds. Two weeks ago, 8/10 people would've only named Barry Bonds as the steroid poster boy. He's taken the heat almost exclusively yet is he any worse than Roger Clemens now? Both have been accused yet have never tested positive and both are arguably the best two players of our generation, let alone ANY generation. What are the writers going to do when either of these players are elgible for the hall of fame? They'll get in. 100%. It's time baseball wakes up and realizes they were ALL on the junk and stop whining about the past and focus on the present and future.

50 games is not going to stop anyone. If I'm a minor league player and I think I can sign an average $10 million salary for 5 years and be set for life 100 times over if I take performance enhancing drugs (good players become better players, don't wear down), it's worth the risk isn't it?

Baseball isn't the only sport people should be looking at. Shawn Merriman, Linebalcker for the SD Chargers gets SUSPENDED 4 games for taking steroids and yet he get nominated for defensive player of the year? What the heck is that? That sets a great example doens't it? Again, who cares if the league doens't only care but rewards you? It's all a joke. Selig is acting like he didn't know a darn thing. Impossible. McGwire and Sosa were built like WWF superstars out there and the stadiums were packed....again who cares if they don't?

Any other blue jay fans find the number of blue jays on the list either past or present alarming

I could've guessed 99% of those names that were on the report. Were you really surprised that Eric Gagne was on the list? Please. It was obvious when he was on the Dodgers breaking records. The thing is, that there's so many more players that should be included that somehow didn't make the list.
Nomar? Textbook. At least there's more than one player taking the wrath of this steroid thing than Barry Bonds. Two weeks ago, 8/10 people would've only named Barry Bonds as the steroid poster boy. He's taken the heat almost exclusively yet is he any worse than Roger Clemens now? Both have been accused yet have never tested positive and both are arguably the best two players of our generation, let alone ANY generation. What are the writers going to do when either of these players are elgible for the hall of fame? They'll get in. 100%. It's time baseball wakes up and realizes they were ALL on the junk and stop whining about the past and focus on the present and future.

50 games is not going to stop anyone. If I'm a minor league player and I think I can sign an average $10 million salary for 5 years and be set for life 100 times over if I take performance enhancing drugs (good players become better players, don't wear down), it's worth the risk isn't it?

Baseball isn't the only sport people should be looking at. Shawn Merriman, Linebalcker for the SD Chargers gets SUSPENDED 4 games for taking steroids and yet he get nominated for defensive player of the year? What the heck is that? That sets a great example doens't it? Again, who cares if the league doens't only care but rewards you? It's all a joke. Selig is acting like he didn't know a darn thing. Impossible. McGwire and Sosa were built like WWF superstars out there and the stadiums were packed....again who cares if they don't?

Who cares?
Baseball is a boring sport that mostly occurs in a messed up country.
Is the report or the conclusions a suprise?
No way.
Does it go on in every other professional sport?
Of course it does.
We are just so desparate for heroes today, we'll cling to anyone, regardless of their actions.
PS - What about the recent revelations concerning our most "green" past PM?

The blame for this "crisis" lies in many places. Owners, commissioner, players, players association all share in the shame. Since that is the case a possible resolution would be to draw a line in the sand and from this day forward have random, comprehensive testing of all pro players followed by stiff penalties for offenders. To go after the players alone as the owners seem to want to do is unjust for the owners are partially to blame. If the owners were not so willing to turn a blind eye to the problem for the sake of profits this issue would not be in front of us today. The players can not be made scapegoats for the sins of the entire organization of professional baseball

The blame for this "crisis" lies in many places. Owners, commissioner, players, players association all share in the shame. Since that is the case a possible resolution would be to draw a line in the sand and from this day forward have random, comprehensive testing of all pro players followed by stiff penalties for offenders. To go after the players alone as the owners seem to want to do is unjust for the owners are partially to blame. If the owners were not so willing to turn a blind eye to the problem for the sake of profits this issue would not be in front of us today. The players can not be made scapegoats for the sins of the entire organization of professional baseball

Hey Freege.............given what happened yesterday, do you think the people that whined about Eric Gagne not winning the 2003 Lou Marsh Award still feel he should have won?............by the way, don't you think your "About The Author" profile on this blog should be updated since you haven't been allowed to appear on Bob McCown's show for a long time?..............take care...........Mike

Is it any wonder that besides Mo Vaughan, who was implicated as a New York Met, that not one Boston Red Sox player was named on this list? Or is it forgotten that the person writing the list just happens to be on the Red Sox board of directors? To be honest the report is a joke and does nothing to rectify the problem. At the same time though at least they're getting some skeletons out of the closet unlike our National League, the CFL.

Elliotte,

I cannot believe such a superficial response from you - normally a thoughtful reporter and analyst.

For someone who lacked the ability to subpoena and question under oath Senator Mitchell acquired a tremendous amount of information.

You speak of convicting on hearsay rather than eye witnesses.

There was eye witness evidence especially with regard to Roger Clemens.

There are a multitude of cheques written to the former Met clubhouse employee, Kirk Radominski.

There is the direct evidence of a few players such as Larry Bigbie.

Facing a conspiracy of silence Mitchell obtained alot of evidence.

The report makes clear that HGH, currently undetectable by urine sample, has become the drug of choice.

The reliance on urine tests instead of blood tests is preventing knowledge of current players.

Where is your concern for the majority of players who were not cheating? I would have thought you would have been supporting drug testing, especially blood testing, that will go after those who use HGH and other performance enhancing drugs.

Bill