Earlier this year the New England Patriots were caught using a camera that videotaped the New York Jets sideline.  Many sports fans, most of them not Patriots fans and not fans in general of Bill Belichick, as well as the media labeled them as “cheaters”.  They have been taken to task now for nearly four months, their past records and accomplishments have been questioned by fans, media, players and coaches.  They say the actions of ONE man, the head coach, in this incident taints the three Super Bowl titles they won in four years. 

Now on Thursday the Mitchell Report was released and there are NINE members (out of 25 or 36%) of the 2000 World Series champion New York Yankees on the list.  Chuck Knoblauch, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, David Justice, Jose Canseco, Glenallen Hill, Mike Stanton, Denny Neagle and Jason Grimsley.  So sports fans, media members, players and coaches are the New York Yankees “cheaters” as well?  And should this indiscretion taint the teams records and accomplishments they achieved between 1996 and 2000 when they won four World Series titles in five years?