As baseball fans we have been consumed with the players involved in the release of the Mitchell Report today. We do have to remember one thing, most of the players named in this report allegedly used or bought performance-enhancing drugs.
The other thing we have to look at is what exactly Mitchell recommended to Bud Selig, MLB commissioner, as to what do about the problem of steroids and HGH in baseball.
Mitchell’s Statement:
“All of these recommendations are prospective. The onset of mandatory random drug testing, the single most important step taken so far to combat the problem, was delayed for years by the opposition of the Players Association.
“To prolong this debate will not resolve it; each side will dig in its heels even further. But it could seriously and perhaps fatally detract from what I believe to be a critical necessity: the need for everyone in baseball to work together to devise and implement the strongest possible strategy to combat the illegal use of performance-enhancing substances, including the recommendations set forth in this report.
“I urge the commissioner to forgo imposing discipline on players for past violations of baseball’s rules on performance-enhancing substances, including the players named in this report, except in those cases where he determines that the conduct is so serious that discipline is necessary to maintain the integrity of the game. I make this recommendation fully aware that there are valid arguments both for and against it; but I believe that those in favor are compelling.”
Mitchell’s recommendations plus Bud Selig’s reaction as well as that of the MLBPA after the jump.
Recommendations on non-testing based allegation investigations:
- The Commissioner should establish a Department of Investigations
- The Commissioner’s office should more effectively cooperate with law enforcement agencies
- The Commissioner’s office should actively use the clubs’ powers, as employers, to investigate violations
- All clubs should have clear, written and well-publicized policies for reporting information relating to possible performance enhancing substance violations
- Logging packages sent to players at Major League ballparks
Recommendations that do not require collective bargaining
- Background investigations of prospective clubhouse personnel
- Random drug testing of clubhouse personnel
- A hot line for reporting anonymous tips
- Top draft prospects should be tested prior to the Major League Draft
Recommendations on education
- The design and implementation of the educational program should be centralized with the Independent Program Administrator
- Spring training programs should include testimonials and other speakers and presentations
- Explain the health risks in context and provide education on alternative methods to achieve the same results
- Players need to understand the non-health effects of buying performance enhancing substances from street dealers and “Internet pharmacies”
- Prominently display posters about performance enhancing substance use prevention
Recommendations on the drug program
- The program should be independent
- The program should be transparent
- There should be adequate year-round, unannounced drug testing
- The program should be flexible enough to employ best practices as they develop
- The program should continue to respect the legitimate rights of players
- The program should have adequate funding
One thing you need to notice in Mitchell’s statement is that he said that the players should not be punished for their alleged transgressions unless it was a serious case.
Approximately two hours after Mitchell started his press conference, Selig spoke to the media about his reaction to the Mitchell Report.
“This report is a call to action, and I will act.”
“I will continue to deal with the issue of performance-enhancing substance abuse.”
“I will deal with the active players identified by Mitchell as users of performance-enhancing substances.”
“I will also review the comments made by Senator Mitchell regarding club personnel and will take appropriate action.”
“Senator Mitchell acknowledges in his report that the ultimate decisions on discipline rest with the commissioner, and he is correct.”
As we already know, Selig has already imposed 15-game suspensions on Jay Gibbons and Jose Guillen. Guillen has said he will appeal the suspension while Gibbons hasn’t said anything about what he will do.
Just an hour and half after Selig’s press conference started, MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr gave a statement on behalf of the MLBPA to the media and answered questions afterwards.
“The program today is a strong and effective one and has even been improved in the two years since it has been announced. So far as I can tell, the report does not suggest that the program is failing to pick up any steroid use which is possible to detect.”
“Many players are named. Their reputations have been adversely effected, probably forever even if it turns out down the road that they should not have been. In my view anyone interested in fairly assessing the allegations against the players should consider the nature of the evidence presented and the reliability of the source.”
“I hope that I will conclude, down the road after we’ve had a chance to look at what happens, that it was not detrimental. I will let you know when I’m in a position to make that judgment. I’m not today.”
Fehr also stated he had asked for a copy of the report a few days but wasn’t given a copy until 1 PM today, hence his last statement above.
As baseball fans one thing to come from this is that we know baseball has a steroids and performance-enhancing drug problem. The question is how much do we really care about this as a whole. I know everyone will have different views towards this problem in baseball.
I would definitely expect more fallout from the Mitchell Report in the coming days as the players on the list start to respond, if they decide to do that at all. Also expect Selig to start putting the things in motion that don’t involve the the MLBPA and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. You can also expect Selig to sit down with the MLBPA to discuss the other recommendations.
