Mitchell Report

Some described it as the worst day for Major League Baseball, some described it as the best, and others maintained that it might just have been both.

But good or bad, The Mitchell Report ordered by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig exposed some inconvenient truths to sports fans that might not have been willing to hear them. Of course now, one player’s alleged steroid use is dominating the headlines (Roger Clemens) and no person is more appreciative than Barry Bonds, but fans and the media alike need to shift their focus back to the grand scheme of things.

Even though it is a big deal that “The Rocket” might have been juicing, he is not the only player who was caught by the probe. In fact, he wasn’t even the only big player caught by the probe.

At least one player from every Major League team was caught. So those who say that steroids are not a problem in baseball (and in sports altogether) try to justify that. Obviously they have a negative effect on sports in all phases, as well as the children that look up to and admire athletes in these sports, but what about the health concerns?

It’s impossible now to measure the ramifications of an athlete’s steroid use over a long or short period of time because it has just became pervasive in sports, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s not healthy. If that’s the case, it should be the biggest concern for the MLB. They have to make sure the players are safe first and foremost.

Secondly, they have to maintain the integrity of the game, so it’s either all get steroids or none get steroids. Let’s hope it’s the latter. Also, even a player who is proven guilty of using steroids cannot be eliminated from Hall of Fame contention.

Who’s to say that the player opposite them was not juicing themselves? It is entirely possible. And where do you draw the line? Would Barry Bonds for instance not have hit a lot of home runs if he hadn’t juiced?

The MLB has tried over the last several years to loosely police steroid use, but I think that was only an attempt to save face for the league in anticipation of what a probe such as The Mitchell Report would uncover.

As for punishment? I think lots of community service (talking to kids at school about avoiding steroids), a stiff suspension and fine (say a year and a year’s pay) and counseling and rehabilitation are key to curbing this problem. Do this instead of talking about it, and witness the results.

Filed Under: Columnists • Editorial • Sports