Major League Baseball on Steroids

“We have to do something about it” - Bud Selig

Hi, my name is MLB and I have a problem.

Senator Mitchell recently released a report sanctioned by MLB commissioner Bud Zelig, something he received much criticism for over the last year.  The report contained 20 recommendations for dealing with the serious drug problem plaguing the sport; and now there is evidence of the problem rather than speculation.

Among Mitchell’s recommendations are year-round unannounced drug testing.  Surprisingly he also urged baseball to leave “the past” alone and make no one accountable for MLB’s past.   Senator Mitchell believes that people who cheated should get a pass because “everyone was doing it” is essentially his argument.

Selig gave 3 steps that MLB must take to move forward:

1. Suspend the 24 hour waiting period prior to testing.
2. Deal with the active players identified by Senator Mitchell as users of performance enhancing drugs.
3. Baseball has the most aggressive anti-Drug program and MLB should continue to lead on this front.

The commissioner cited the drop of Steroids among youth, but is that enough?  Many players moved from Steroids to HGH.  The MLB and NFL are now funding urine testing to combat HGH as a result.After the report was released, Commissioner Bud Selig held a press conference to answer some questions.  For reference, I’ve highlighted questions below by using bold.

ESPN Reporter: Mitchell recommended that Selig forego discipline, Question: Will MLB discipline people?

Punishment will be determined on a case by case basis and action taken when appropriate and it affects the integrity of the game.

What about the idea that these men cheated?

Essentially he just said “there is a lot of work to be done…”

Are you considering discipline against cheaters, is that a consideration?

paraphrase: I’ll make Judgments on the future based on the circumstances.

Senator Mitchell puts the blame on everybody, including the commissioner of baseball, are you at fault for this problem?

This document serves as a road map for us and the people who come after us.

“the important thing is that we move forward, here…”

What about clubs that went and picked up players that are on these lists?

The clubs didn’t know anything about the players when they signed, but Selig says he’ll still go over the list and based on the circumstances, make a decision.

Can you comment on Barry Bonds?

paraphrase: No, inappropriate because he’s in the judicial system.

Almost all active players declined to meet with Senator Mitchell, what do you think?

“I was hopeful that people would cooperate.” Selig said he wanted to have a very fair examination of the past. The clubs and players weren’t happy, but Selig explains that “the more knowledge we have about the past, knowledge, objective knowledge,… the better we are off in the future.

AP Reporter: Will you make the results public or private?

“The only thing I’ll tell you about the cost, is that there is a higher cost in not doing this. [...] The costs are greatly exaggerated, the bigger cost to the sport would be by not doing it. [...] Discipline, I am confident it will be public.”

NY Post: What about Baseball players as role models?

paraphrase: These are society problems, they aren’t just related to baseball. Sometimes we do well at dealing with the issues and other times we don’t.

Fox Business Channel: Does it concern you that some of the names that came out, it may limit the number of fans that come out to games?

paraphrase: It’s time to move forward, I’m not going to worry about that stuff.

NY Post: Is this a set back for baseball?

“Do I believe it’s a set-back, no.” What is in the best interests of the sport is doing something about it and engaging in prompt action.

Paraphrase of conference: “We have to do something about it” - Selig.

Selig talked plenty about how to curb drug use but very little about punishment. Seventy Five players were named, including Roger Clemens, Eric Gagne, Barry Bonds, and many players are still The big question is does everyone get a pass like Senator Mitchell suggests, if so, why should they?

The entire era is a shameful part of American history, and should the men named above even be mentioned in Hall of Fame talks anymore, regardless of how “great” they were?

I say no, most fans of the game would say NO.

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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