Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.
With the George Mitchell Underbelly Report on its way to the media's notepads sometime this week (maybe as early as Thursday) the findings of the former Senate Majority Leader's 20-month investigation into steroid use in America's Pastime is sure to bring some interesting and disappointing story lines into the New Year.
Hired by Bud Selig two years ago this March in light of the release of "Game of Shadows," Mitchell and his staff spent millions collecting evidence and interviewing folks in hopes to shed some light on the shadiness of the Steroid Era -- a time when longballs were suddenly crushing long-standing homer records -- something that most feel can't be contributed to evolution alone.
Some of the names hidden in the report may be big, and some may be unheard of. One may be our favorite player, while another our favorite rival. Outfielders Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons, linked to receiving human growth hormone in the past, were handed 15-day suspensions on Thursday, which are to begin immediately next season. These penalties are somewhat of an indication on how the Commissioner's office might treat any players named by Mitchell.This all comes on the tails of Barry Bonds' recent arraignment in U.S. District Court on four counts of perjury and one of obstruction of justice on charges he lied to federal investigators about using performance-enhancing drugs during the very scandal that stemmed Mitchell's investigation. If convicted, the Home Run King could spend more than two years in prison.
[New York Times]
3 comments:
I'm so pumped for this report to come out in the open. I just hope none of these guys are my favorites, like you said!
Are we talking former players and/or current players? Could Kirby Puckett be on that list? I'd die for sure.
It's interesting to see David Segui get a head start on the report. If his name isn't on Mitchell's report, it will show how "thorough" it is. If the report is any good, it will also point fingers at owners and Selig himself. A blind eye in this situation is as wrong as shoving a needle in your own butt. If a player makes the decision to use steroids or HGH, his body will make him pay the consequences someday. The owners that made millions (probably billions) from the McGwire, Sosa HR race or from Barry Bonds won't suffer any longterm health risks other than their butts getting sore from sitting on overstuffed wallets. And I include Selig in that group of owners - because that is all he really is: an owner who was promoted to be head of the owners.
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