On Dec. 13, 2007, former United States Senator George Mitchell shook the baseball world with his 409-page steroid report identifying 89 Major League Baseball players who have previously used steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Among those names mentioned, none stood out more than Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens—arguably the best hitter and pitcher in the history of baseball. Alongside Bonds and Clemens are seven MVPs and 31 All-Stars who were also mentioned in the report, including Miguel Tejada, Troy Glaus, Andy Pettitte, Eric Gagne, and Jason Giambi.
Mitchell's intention with the report was never to seek the appropriate punishment for the players involved, but rather to expose the flaws of MLB's drug-testing program, according to ESPN.com.
ESPN.com also reports that Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig gave his full support, saying, "If there are problems, I wanted them revealed," adding, "[Mitchell's] report is a call to action, and I will act."
The big questions in 2008 will be what baseball plans to do to keep players from using performance-enhancing drugs, as well as what consequences these players will face if they are proven guilty in court.
In its Dec, 24, 2007 issue, Sports Illustrated urged MLB to hand over the drug-testing procedures "immediately and entirely" to experts such as the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). SI went on to identify key points in the Mitchell report that prove why baseball is not responsible enough to prevent its own players from using banned substances.
It will be interesting to see in 2008 whether or not a third party like the USADA is an appropriate alternative to MLB's current drug-testing program.
Another issue to watch is if Bonds and Clemens are convicted of using steroids and Human Growth Hormone (HGH), what will happen to all the MVPs and Cy Youngs both players accumulated over their long baseball careers.
In a Dec. 20, 2007 report by ESPN.com, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is quoted on his blog, 38pitches.com, as saying that Cy Young awards Clemens won after 1998 (when Clemens allegedly began using steroids) should be revoked. Schilling credits Clemens on 38pitches.com for some of his success
"Roger had a profound effect on my career from a very early point. His 'undressing' of me and lecture were a major turning point." Schilling however remained firm in his belief that any numbers and awards Clemens received should erased because they were a result of cheating.
The Mitchell report has just skimmed the surface on the issue of steroids in baseball. In 2008, the public and fans will hopefully find out who is guilty and who is innocent. But beyond all the allegations and statistics, the problems don't lie in the person, but rather the system.
For the sake of baseball fans, sports fans, and young athletes, MLB and the Players Association need to work together to set an example for future conduct by handing out the appropriate punishment for inappropriate actions.
Once and for all, a correct standard of conduct should be set for professional athletes, not one that players want to abide by, but a policy that they have to abide by.
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