Steroids in Baseball: The Mitchell Report

There were a variety of reactions from the Mitchell report, and they ranged from every end of the spectrum. Here are some of the reactions and my thoughts~

“If there were problems, I wanted them revealed. If there were individuals who engaged in wrongdoing, I wanted those facts to come to light. If there were recommendations that would improve our drug testing program, I wanted to hear them. The report is a call to action. And I will act.” Bud Selig
I don’t think you will act. I think your call to action was Canseco’s book. You have known about the drugs, the players and the program’s failures. You have yet to take action, why is this going to be any different. We need a new commissioner, you need a new job. You will hear from me soon.

“What struck me was Selig’s inability to say, ‘Yes, I’m to be blamed as well.’ I think it would go a long way with fans if he admitted blame” Steve Phillips, ESPN
I agree and disagree. I think he is to blame and he needs to come clean with that. All of baseball is too blame. I do not think it will go a long way with fans. We don’t like hm and never have. He needs a new job.

“Talk to my lawyer” Kirk Radomski
Well I hope you have a good one Kirk. You violated federal laws and baseball policy. You now face a trial and possible jail time. Maybe you should use some of your own product and then you can bend back the bars and escape the 6x5 cell you will be in soon.

“I have never disrespected, nor cheated the game of baseball and knew without a doubt that my name would not be mentioned in the official investigation. I would like to express how upset and disappointed I am over the reckless reporting that took place this morning. It has caused me and my family a lot of senseless aggravation due to their inaccurate information.” Albert Pujols (Albert Pujols was not in the report)
Mr. Pujols I would like you to know that I apologize for the idiots that accused you of steroid use. No one who is of high quality and caliber report should have implicated that you were in the report and no one who read the report should have said you were involved. I am glad you are innocent and sorry anyone said otherwise.

“Certainly, a lack of leadership and oversight in MLB enabled these abuses to continue. After 15 years of slow action, a new commissioner is needed to guide the league out of this era of drug abuse.” Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FLA)
Finally, I am not the only one crying for new leadership in Major League Baseball.

“…come to the table seriously and not continue to drag their feet and delay serious action…” John McCain
I think as a senator he would have a chance to do more for this issue, however I am glad a presidential candidate is thinking about this. Whether its sports or not, steroids must be taken seriously on all levels.