While the mainstream media is preoccupied with creating lists of players, let’s realize the true goal of this report is make recommendations dealing and improving MLB and it’s policing of illegal drugs. Any list or names included in George Mitchell’s report were more or less examples of problems that will be useful in creating future policies.
This being said, I think a lot of positive suggestions have come out today. Yes, even Bud Selig made what could be his only document correct step. Baseball has made good progress over the last 3 seasons to cut back on illegal steroid use. Based on these findings and the first round of MLB testing along with other information, we can logically formulate that during its peak in the late 90s to early 2000s, around 12% of players were probably involved. Baseball has seeminglowered this number down to around 5% currently. Bud Selig made a great speech; yes I know I’m shocked too, about committing more resources to policing and testing. If he lives up to his statements baseball will go above and beyond Mitchell’s recommendations.
ESPN.com has outline some of the recommendations in this report. I think these are most important.
The Commissioner should establish a Department of Investigations
A hot line for reporting anonymous tips
The program should be independent
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 have adequate funding
Its paramount MLB rules with an iron fist. Their branch in charge of this should be top notch, hence being an even greater deterrent than investigator. MLB along with the Players Union should put up the funds to finance the best independent organization for performance drug testing in the world. They should use every way possible for players or personal to be able and for that matter want to give anonymous tips to help kept the game clean. This is the only way they can have true reach into the HGH issues. The Players Union should also reach out to it’s players and local communities with education programs. Follow this path and in a few short years MLB will the model for all sports to follow and most legitimate sport in America.
Moving on, a Mitchell like effort is needed in every other major sport in America especially the NFL, were there is believed to be a current crisis of HGH use, which is unprecedented. It’s only a matter of time before that train wrecks.
Will Bud live up to his words…TBD….
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