The steroid era in baseball will taint the sport forever. That is the sad reality only emblazoned by the Mitchell Report.
I was not really surprised by the information that was in the report. For anyone who has followed the game for the last 15 years, I believe that the report only validated what most already thought. Below are some of my observations:
- In some ways this report is unfair. It is based largely on the testimony of two individuals who provided steroids and HGH. No doubt during this era in baseball there were more than two suppliers. Thus, many players who used, likely went unreported. Also, anyone in the report is likely presumed guilty. Granted, guilt is likely in most cases, but what if one of the witnesses had an ax to grind with a player and decided to get his revenge through his testimony.
- I blame the owners - They put themselves ahead of the game! They got rid of Fay Vincent who was an excellent commissioner and actually warned of illegal drug use prior to being relived of his duties. (technically he resigned, but he was pushed out the door by owners) Vincent was for baseball, not the owners or the players. The owners inserted Bud Selig who is a total waste of space and breath as commissioner. He is for the owners... not baseball!
- I blame the players - they put themselves ahead of the game! They did not police themselves and they cheated. Yes the temptation to do whatever it takes to keep your job and excel in performance is beyond what the "common" man may experience. But, it is still wrong! Integrity was lost and all of baseball has now come into question.
- One example - I won't break it down for you here, but Roger Clemens career was in decline until... yep, he was reunited with a certain trainer that he allegedly gave him steroids. The next few years he returned to being the dominant pitcher in the league. (If you have nothing better to do, compare his stats between 1993-1996 & 1997-2001. Then look at dates in the report). If you have been a Bonds basher, then to be consistent you must also question Clemens and his marks. Maybe I am being unfair(See point one), but this is where I am today.
- History takes a hit. Most die-hard baseball fans also lean heavily on stats to help define the history of the game. As Vin Scully once said something like, baseball statistics are to a fan what a light post is to a leaning drunk. They are more for support than light. Well, that light post has been toppled. Records no longer mean what they used to mean. The .285/25/120 season was at one time All-Star worthy; not so much anymore. Measuring one players season or career numbers with another has lost some meaning.
I agree with Mitchell that it is time to move on. The steroid era will always be part of baseball history. But the game is still a great game! (Even if my dear wife does not understand this). It is time for the game itself to take priority over the owners, players, dollars, television, and corporations. Too much to ask for? Probably, but hey the Rockies made it to the series this year. Who would have ever believed that!