EDIT: Mike mentions in the comments that he believes the report little to no value. A valid point, though I'm not fully on board. However, as I've just recently read the report does not address amphetamine use, I'm far less convinced of the report's effectiveness. "Greenies" are just as unsportsmanlike, probably a bigger problem and seem to be considered morally OK by a large segment of players who would disdain steroids. To not address that is to miss half the picture.
It's inconclusive, hampered by lack of cooperation and tainted by its author being a member of the Red Sox board of directors.
Yet, it will shed some light upon the dark era of baseball of rampant steroid use without ramifications.
60-80 names is no joke. Although if there's several Yankees and no Red Sox on the list, be prepared for a lot of (possibly legitimate) conspiracy talk. On the other hand, if, say, a David Ortiz (or a player of his caliber and/or popularity) ends up on the list, it'll be devastating and illuminating.
Here's the thing: Jason Giambi is no hero. But, outside of the one anonymous player who did talk, he's the only one who was willing to talk with Mitchell. He was threatened, yes, but he could have called Selig's bluff and had the full support of the union in an appeal, one that likely would have been at least partly successful.
Giambi will still be a deceitful cheater, but he'll be better than every other name on that report.
Labels: Baseball
I believe I am in the vast minority, but I think this report is a joke. Your first sentence, in addition to most of the "new" info coming from a corupt Mets batboy, tells the whole story. Because of the reasons you mention, the report to me is worthless and is a waste of millions of dollars.
It is so obvious that MLB intentionally turned it's back on a growing problem that a report wasn't necessary. Plus, what is the point of knowing the names now? The players are already rich and famous. Just because they may be found guilty in the court of public opinion and kept out of the Hall of Fame doesn't change that.
I have so little faith in this report that I believe A-Rod, who I firmly think is clean, would be left out anyways becasue of MLB's hatred of Bonds.
By no means am I endorsing steroids. I think this was a terrible time for baseball that many people turned its back on. However, revisiting the past to form an incomplete list of names is absurd. MLB should have apologized and admitted its wrongs when it implemented its new steroid policy. To hire Mitchell to release this report is beyond ridiculous.
I look forward to both of your responses after you hear the names (assuming you are both Yankees fans).