Mitchell Report Recap

Okay, so the report was released and I’m sure you all got your fix.  However, if you haven’t and love hearing about the misfortune of others, or simply missed out on the events that transpired today, here is a brief rundown of some Mitchell Bits.

• Missed the report?  If you’re simply searching for names you can check out other online lists, but how bout this snazzy NY Times chart that not only gives you every player implicated, but also their performance during their alleged steroid use.
• If you’re wondering about the larger questions which have created this report or are thinking about its future consequences, the Times also offers this very brief question text related to the sources used, who’s to blame, etc., etc.
• Next up, many people feel as though this is one of the saddest days in baseball history, forever tarnishing the sport’s legacy and nullifying its validity.  However, Mike Lupica apparently thinks differently from normal folks, claiming that this is one of the better days for baseball.
• Now, for Roger Clemens who was by far the most famous and historical figure featured in the report, Roger is fighting the allegations (he’s got a lawyer) but Bill Madden seems to believe in the guilty until proven innocent method, as he insists that Roger Clemens’ future in the HOF is in doubt.  Let’s be real here, Clemens will be a shoe in, it’ll just be funny to see how the media treats Clemens in relation to Barry Bonds.  Both are 2 of the biggest stars at their respective positions and iconic baseball figures.  I think the media bias for Barry will really shine through though, giving Clemens a pass after a mere few days.

And, finally, about the Yankees and the report.  A lot of the papers are going to try and paint this as if it is a Yankees-steroid thing.  This is completely ridiculous and totally unwarranted.  Yes, the Yankees had a lot of the players on the listat one time or another.  But you also have to consider that the Yankees dont attempt to sign roid heads.  They sign the best players available, and, in this situation, it makes sense that the best of the best were steroid users.  Also, you cannot blame the Yankees for all of these players or hold their titles up high while you cry foul (which the article above does).

Look at Kevin Brown or Jason Giambi.  Were the Yankees helped by these 2 players at all?  Kevin Brown was a terrible force on the team while Jason Giambi (after stopping steroid use in 2003) has been the biggest waste of money and roster space.  Having him on the team, to this day, has hurt the Yankees for a variety of reasons.  How are you going to look at this and place blame on the Yankees.  In fact, some these Yankee-steroid guys were users before their tenure with the Yankees (Clemens, Villone, etc.), so let’s halt a moment before we indict an entire organization as if they peddle PED’s on their players.

Steroids are NOT a Yankee problem, a New York problem, a Mets problem, a Red Sox problem and so on and so forth.  Steroids are, instead, a BASEBALL problem, plain and simple, and should not be framed any other way.