Cleveland Indians' 2007 season built with character and conviction
Sunday, December 23, 2007Paul HoynesPlain Dealer Reporter
It's hard to be an idealist in Major League Baseball. To always look at the bright side of a game that bears so many scars, might call into question one's view of reality.
Mark Shapiro, Indians general manager, chooses to do so anyway. He knows all too well that this is not a perfect business plied by knights in shining armor. Yet he has always tried to build teams that stress character and chemistry. Some of that has been induced by one of the lowest payrolls in the game, but rarely are convictions and principles sidestepped to bow before the persistent drumbeat of victory.
On Sept. 23, Shapiro saw his convictions come to life when the Indians beat Oakland, 6-2, at Jacobs Field to clinch the AL Central Division. Shapiro has worked for the Indians since 1992, but this was his first division championship as a general manager.
In the locker-room celebration after the game, Shapiro, an AL Central Division championship baseball cap pulled tightly on his head to break the ever-flowing waterfall of champagne and beer, gazed at pockets of gyrating players and felt good about every one of them.
Steady Jake Westbrook pitched seven innings for the victory. Young lefty Rafael Perez, representing a productive farm system that saved the season, relieved and recorded two quick outs before Rafael Betancourt, perhaps the best set-up man in the league last season, pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for the save.
Grady Sizemore, a rock Shapiro feels will support this team for seasons to come, had hits in his first four at-bats and reached base five straight times. Casey Blake, the model for manager Eric Wedge's grind-it-out ballplayer, hit a two-run double to start the decisive four-run fourth inning.
Shapiro had a memory for every celebrating player. Maybe it was about the scout who recommended C.C. Sabathia as a high school senior or how Fausto Carmona transformed himself from a failed closer to one of the best starters in the game.
It took nearly six hard years of work to see the Indians' locker room at Jacobs Field in such delirious disarray that day. Shapiro knew that it would never be this good, this pure, again. He drank it in like a thirsty man.
The Indians won seven division titles and reached two World Series from 1995 through 2001. Those teams were so talented, and often so arrogant in displaying that talent, that the sense of accomplishment from those in the organization was dulled.
Compromises were made. Heads were turned. Confrontations avoided -- all in the name of trying to win a world championship that never came.
When Shapiro became general manager in November 2001, the team was old and the farm system played out. He knew he'd have to start over, it was just a matter of when. But when the time came to win, Shapiro wanted to do it differently than before.
On Sept. 23, it happened. The Indians kept winning, finishing at 96-66 and tying Boston for the best record in baseball.
They upset the Yankees in the AL Division Series in four games. They took a 3-1 lead against Boston in the AL Championship Series, only to lose three straight. The morning of Game 7 of the ALCS, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tribe starter Paul Byrd purchased $25,000 of human growth hormone and syringes from 2002-05.
Reality has a way of bruising idealists, but Sept. 23 was perfect.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158
Monday, December 24, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Names in the Mitchell Report
Names in the Mitchell Report
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday's release of the Mitchell Report, which investigated the involvement of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, had one headline name.
Roger Clemens, the greatest pitcher of his era, led a list of seven of baseball's Most Valuable Players and 31 All-Stars in the report. Indians pitcher Paul Byrd, who admitted to using Human Growth Hormone during the October playoffs, was the only current Indian named in the report.
Doping was widespread by stars as well as scrubs, the report said, putting a question mark if not an asterisk next to baseball records and threatening the integrity of the game itself.
Players connected to steroids, either use or possession in the report:
Chad Allen, Mike Bell, Gary Bennett
Larry Bigbie, Ricky Bones, Kevin Brown
Ken Caminiti, Mark Carreon, Jason Christiansen
Howie Clark, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford
Jack Cust, Brendan Donnelly, Chris Donnels
Lenny Dykstra, Matt Franco, Ryan Franklin
Eric Gagne, Jason Grimsley, Jerry Hairston
Phil Hiatt, Matt Herges, Glenallen Hill,
Todd Hundley, Ryan Jorgensen, Wally Joyner
Mike Judd, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch
Tim Laker, Mike Lansing, Paul Lo Duca
Exavier "Nook" Logan, Josias Manzanillo, Cody McKay
Kent Mercker, Bart Miadich, Hal Morris, Daniel Naulty
Denny Neagle, Rafael Palmeiro, Jim Parque
Andy Pettitte, Adam Piatt, Todd Pratt
Stephen Randolph, Adam Riggs, Brian Roberts
F.P. Santangelo, David Segui, Mike Stanton
Ricky Stone, Miguel Tejada, Derrick Turnbow
Mo Vaughn, Ron Villone, Fernando Vina
Rondell White, Jeff Williams, Todd Williams, Kevin Young, Gregg Zaun
The following players were cited under "Alleged Internet Purchases of Performance Enhancing Substances By Players in Major League Baseball" in the report:
Rick Ankiel, David Bell, Paul Byrd, Jose Canseco
Jay Gibbons, Troy Glaus, Jose Guillen, Darren Holmes
Gary Matthews Jr., John Rocker, Scott Schoeneweis
Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams, Steve Woodard
The following players were linked through BALCO in the report:
Marvin Benard, Barry Bonds, Bobby Estalella, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Benito Santiago, Gary Sheffield, Randy Velarde
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday's release of the Mitchell Report, which investigated the involvement of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, had one headline name.
Roger Clemens, the greatest pitcher of his era, led a list of seven of baseball's Most Valuable Players and 31 All-Stars in the report. Indians pitcher Paul Byrd, who admitted to using Human Growth Hormone during the October playoffs, was the only current Indian named in the report.
Doping was widespread by stars as well as scrubs, the report said, putting a question mark if not an asterisk next to baseball records and threatening the integrity of the game itself.
Players connected to steroids, either use or possession in the report:
Chad Allen, Mike Bell, Gary Bennett
Larry Bigbie, Ricky Bones, Kevin Brown
Ken Caminiti, Mark Carreon, Jason Christiansen
Howie Clark, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford
Jack Cust, Brendan Donnelly, Chris Donnels
Lenny Dykstra, Matt Franco, Ryan Franklin
Eric Gagne, Jason Grimsley, Jerry Hairston
Phil Hiatt, Matt Herges, Glenallen Hill,
Todd Hundley, Ryan Jorgensen, Wally Joyner
Mike Judd, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch
Tim Laker, Mike Lansing, Paul Lo Duca
Exavier "Nook" Logan, Josias Manzanillo, Cody McKay
Kent Mercker, Bart Miadich, Hal Morris, Daniel Naulty
Denny Neagle, Rafael Palmeiro, Jim Parque
Andy Pettitte, Adam Piatt, Todd Pratt
Stephen Randolph, Adam Riggs, Brian Roberts
F.P. Santangelo, David Segui, Mike Stanton
Ricky Stone, Miguel Tejada, Derrick Turnbow
Mo Vaughn, Ron Villone, Fernando Vina
Rondell White, Jeff Williams, Todd Williams, Kevin Young, Gregg Zaun
The following players were cited under "Alleged Internet Purchases of Performance Enhancing Substances By Players in Major League Baseball" in the report:
Rick Ankiel, David Bell, Paul Byrd, Jose Canseco
Jay Gibbons, Troy Glaus, Jose Guillen, Darren Holmes
Gary Matthews Jr., John Rocker, Scott Schoeneweis
Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams, Steve Woodard
The following players were linked through BALCO in the report:
Marvin Benard, Barry Bonds, Bobby Estalella, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Benito Santiago, Gary Sheffield, Randy Velarde
Byrd, 16 former Indians named in report
Posted by Paul Hoynes December 13, 2007 23:14PM
Categories: Indians
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Paul Byrd was the only current Indian named in the Mitchell Report.
Indians right-hander Paul Byrd, named in former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's report Thursday on the use of performance-enhancing substances in baseball, is scheduled to meet with MLB officials Monday as the investigation into his use of Human Growth Hormone continues.
Byrd was the only current Indian named Thursday. Sixteen former Indians, including David Justice and Juan Gonzalez, were mentioned.
It's unclear what, if any, discipline awaits Byrd. The pitcher, and his agent, Bo McKinnis, could not be reached on Thursday.
Kansas City's Jose Guillen and Baltimore's Jay Gibbons, who reportedly purchased HGH after it was banned by MLB in January of 2005, were recently suspended 15 days by Commissioner Bud Selig. They will serve the suspensions at the start of next season.
The San Francisco Chronicle, the day the Indians played Boston in Game 7 of the ALCS in October, reported that Byrd purchased $25,000 of HGH between 2002 and 2005. The Chronicle reported that Byrd made his last order from a revitalization clinic in Florida just before baseball banned the substance.
Gary Matthews Jr., Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus and Scott Schoeneweis, linked to HGH purchases from similar clinics, received no punishment from Selig because of insufficient evidence.
Mitchell, at the end of his report, told the media that he hoped Selig would not punish any of the players named in his report. Selig, who conducted his own press conference following Mitchell's, said he'd examine each case before deciding what, if any, punishment was necessary.
Former Indians named in the Mitchell report were Tim Laker, Jason Grimsley, David Segui, Mark Carreon, Glenallen Hill, Ron Villone, Kent Mercker, Chad Allen, David Bell, John Rocker, Matt Williams, Steve Woodard, Todd Pratt and Mike Lansing.
Former Indians GM John Hart and team doctor William Wilder were also mentioned.
Here's what the investigation uncovered about the former Indians. Years with the Indians noted.
Justice (1997-2000): Radomski said he sold HGH to Justice before he played in the 2000 World Series with the Yankees. Justice, who talked to investigators before being named by Radomski, said he'd never used steroids, but gave the names of several players he suspected of using steroids. Justice added that he had no direct knowledge of any player using steroids.
Gonzalez (2001, 2005): A duffel bag was found at the Toronto airport on Oct. 4, 2001 when Gonzalez was playing for the Indians. It contained syringes and steroids. Gonzalez said it belonged to his personal trainer. The trainer said at belonged to Gonzalez.
Laker (2001-2004, 2006): Laker, who managed Class A Mahoning Valley for the Indians last season, told investigators he used steroids from 1995 through 2000. Kirk Radomski, a Mets clubhouse worker who named many of the players in the Mitchell report after getting arrested, said he sold them to him. Laker, who had to cooperate with the investigation because he's employed by a big-league club, was replaced by Travis Fryman at Mahoning Valley, and will be a roving minor-league instructor for the Indians.
Grimsley (1993-1995): He was suspended for 50 games in 2006 after admitting to federal officers that he used illegal performance enhancing drugs after a shipment was followed to his Arizona home. Radomski said he was one of Grimsley's suppliers.
Segui (2000): Now retired, he publicly admitted using steroids and HGH throughout his career. Radomski said he was one of Segui's suppliers.
Carreon (1996): Radomski said Carreon purchased steroids from him when he played for the Mets.
Hill (1991-1993): Radomski said he sold Hill HGH in 2001. Hill, currently Colorado's first-base coach, told investigators he never used it. Hill said he purchased it because of "marital stress."
Villone (1998): He met Radomski through Colorado teammate Denny Neagle. Radomski said Villone purchased HGH in 2004 and 2005.
Mercker (1996): Radomski said he sold Mercker HGH in 2002.
Allen (2002): Told investigators he purchased steroids from Radomski to help heal a knee injury in 2003.
David Bell (1995, 1998): Named in a March 6, 2007 Sports Illustrated article for purchasing human chorionic gonapatropin.
Rocker (2001): Sports Illustrated reported in March of 2007 that Rocker purchased two parcels of HGH. A spokesman for the former pitcher said Rocker had been prescribed it following shoulder surgery.
Williams (1997): The San Francisco Chronicle reported Williams purchased steroids and HGH in 2002 when he played for Arizona.
Woodard (2000-2001): A New York Daily News story on Sept. 7, 2007 said Woodard received steroids and HGH from a Florida rejuvenation center.
Pratt (Rule 5 pick 1987): Radomski said he sold steroids to Pratt in 2000 or 2001.
Lansing (Class AAA Buffalo, 2002): Radomski said he sold Lansing testosterone and HGH in 2002.
Mitchell investigators sought to talk with Byrd, Bell, Rocker, Williams and Woodard, but they did not cooperate. Mitchell did not have subpoena power and the players association told players to not cooperate.
Wilder, the Indians' former team doctor, was interviewed about a 1998 memo he wrote to former General Manager John Hart and assistant GM Dan O'Dowd following the winter meetings. Mark McGwire hit 70 homers that year to break Roger Maris' record. McGwire admitted to using androstenedione, a steroid precursor, which had yet to be banned by MLB.
During a presentation at the meetings, a doctor representing MLB said there was nothing wrong with players increasing their testosterone levels. This disturbed Wilder and many others, who felt like it was a green light for players to use steroids.
Wilder suggested to Gene Orza of the players association that data should be sent out warning players against performance-enhancing substances. Orza said more study was needed on supplements.
In the memo, Wilder questioned whether testosterone belonged in athletics even if it improved performance. He felt the players association was stalling.
"I just thought it was crazy what the players association and Gene Orza were doing," said Wilder. "John and Danny read the memo, but their hands were tied. They were concerned about the team's finances. The players association was so strong . . . it was a collective bargaining thing."
Mitchell criticized owners, players, management and the players association for letting baseball's steroids problem get out of control. In 2002, after Hart had left the Indians to become GM in Texas, he signed Gonzalez, who left the Indians through free agency.
By that time, Angel Presinal, the strength coach who said it was Gonzalez's duffel bag that was found at the Toronto airport in 2001, had been banned from every clubhouse in the big leagues. Presinal, according to the Mitchell report, was a frequent visitor to the Rangers clubhouse to see Gonzalez even though Hart had knowledge of what had happened with the Indians.
MLB finally banned Presinal from the Rangers clubhouse.
Said Indians President Paul Dolan, "The Cleveland Indians are in full support of Commissioner Selig's response to the Mitchell report. Our organization has been committed to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing substances from the game of baseball."
-------------------
Terry Pluto: Selig must take some action
Posted by Terry Pluto Plain Dealer Columnist December 13, 2007 19:18PM
Categories: Terry Pluto columns
George Mitchell said he didn't want any of the 80 current and former major-league players charged as cheaters in his report to be disciplined.
Commissioner Bud Selig said he "would take action," and do it on a "case-by-case" basis.
Good for him, that's the right approach.
Just because a player's name appears in the Mitchell Report doesn't convict him of anything. But the report also contains cancelled checks and other documentation pointing to athletes buying steroids and Human Growth Hormone.
That can't and should not be ignored. Some legal types will scream, "That's circumstantial evidence." Yes, it is, and people go to jail on that type of proof every day. If one player or former trainer names another -- and that's all they have on the guy -- then there should be no punishment. But a solid paper trail demands a verdict from the commissioner.
So should the fans, who probably have a sense that nearly everyone was cheating. You have the greatest hitter of our generation in Barry Bonds and the best pitcher in Roger Clemens being fingered for steroid use. Other names in the report included former Most Valuable Players Miguel Tejada, Mo Vaughn and five others. That's right, seven of baseball's MVPs are named as cheaters in this report appearing under the name of former U.S. Senator George Mitchell.
The report was tilted toward New York because information came from former Yankees strength coach Brian McNamee and former Mets clubhouse man Kirk Radomski.
That means this is just a partial list, Mitchell admitting he was being conservative. He talked about a lack of cooperation from the Players Association. Now there's a shock. The union has been gutless on this issue from the beginning, preferring to protect the guilty than listen to the innocent members who wanted a clean game. That very well could have convinced other players to order up some HGH after arm or knee surgery to promote healing.
It had to be discouraging for athletes playing it straight to compete with guys who obviously had an unfair advantage.
The union should be embarrassed by its history of fighting drug testing and other attempts by baseball to control the problem.
And management should be ashamed for knowing that something was wrong in the 1990s, that players were getting so big, so fast and the steroid whispers were growing more frequent -- yet the owners were thrilled to be see fans packing the stands after the 1994 strike to watch Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Bonds and the rest assault home run records.
Mitchell verbally spanked the union, but barely even issued a warning to the owners and front offices. Could it because he has been a director for the Boston Red Sox? Nah. For years, scouts and front office executives would mention how this player was "a 'roids guy," and to be careful about committing a long-term deal to him because of the injury risk. Seldom did you hear anyone mention the fact that the guy was a cheater.
There are 17 former Indians mentioned, most either the Tim Laker, Todd Pratt bench types, or the notorious such as Juan Gonzalez, Jason Grimsley and John Rocker -- who had long been suspected. Paul Byrd's name appears, but only because it was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle story about his purchasing HGH.
For Tribe fans, there are no bombshells here. But more names may come from other sources.
Baseball has long battled scandals. The 1919 World Series was fixed. So were other games, but that often was ignored. In the 1960s and 1970s, players gobbled amphetamines (called greenies) before games. You also can throw in spitballs and corked bats, but those seem more like venal sins compared to the major offenses that are a part of chemical baseball warfare.
For baseball, it's a dismal day, no matter how Selig and Mitchell tried to characterize it. We truly have watched a Steroids Era. While not everyone who deserves punishment will get it, the commissioner should do his best to nail those who are truly guilty with significant suspensions.
It would be nice if the union would help -- and the membership demand it -- but don't count on it. There are still too many people in this story running for cover.
Posted by Paul Hoynes December 13, 2007 23:14PM
Categories: Indians
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Paul Byrd was the only current Indian named in the Mitchell Report.
Indians right-hander Paul Byrd, named in former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's report Thursday on the use of performance-enhancing substances in baseball, is scheduled to meet with MLB officials Monday as the investigation into his use of Human Growth Hormone continues.
Byrd was the only current Indian named Thursday. Sixteen former Indians, including David Justice and Juan Gonzalez, were mentioned.
It's unclear what, if any, discipline awaits Byrd. The pitcher, and his agent, Bo McKinnis, could not be reached on Thursday.
Kansas City's Jose Guillen and Baltimore's Jay Gibbons, who reportedly purchased HGH after it was banned by MLB in January of 2005, were recently suspended 15 days by Commissioner Bud Selig. They will serve the suspensions at the start of next season.
The San Francisco Chronicle, the day the Indians played Boston in Game 7 of the ALCS in October, reported that Byrd purchased $25,000 of HGH between 2002 and 2005. The Chronicle reported that Byrd made his last order from a revitalization clinic in Florida just before baseball banned the substance.
Gary Matthews Jr., Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus and Scott Schoeneweis, linked to HGH purchases from similar clinics, received no punishment from Selig because of insufficient evidence.
Mitchell, at the end of his report, told the media that he hoped Selig would not punish any of the players named in his report. Selig, who conducted his own press conference following Mitchell's, said he'd examine each case before deciding what, if any, punishment was necessary.
Former Indians named in the Mitchell report were Tim Laker, Jason Grimsley, David Segui, Mark Carreon, Glenallen Hill, Ron Villone, Kent Mercker, Chad Allen, David Bell, John Rocker, Matt Williams, Steve Woodard, Todd Pratt and Mike Lansing.
Former Indians GM John Hart and team doctor William Wilder were also mentioned.
Here's what the investigation uncovered about the former Indians. Years with the Indians noted.
Justice (1997-2000): Radomski said he sold HGH to Justice before he played in the 2000 World Series with the Yankees. Justice, who talked to investigators before being named by Radomski, said he'd never used steroids, but gave the names of several players he suspected of using steroids. Justice added that he had no direct knowledge of any player using steroids.
Gonzalez (2001, 2005): A duffel bag was found at the Toronto airport on Oct. 4, 2001 when Gonzalez was playing for the Indians. It contained syringes and steroids. Gonzalez said it belonged to his personal trainer. The trainer said at belonged to Gonzalez.
Laker (2001-2004, 2006): Laker, who managed Class A Mahoning Valley for the Indians last season, told investigators he used steroids from 1995 through 2000. Kirk Radomski, a Mets clubhouse worker who named many of the players in the Mitchell report after getting arrested, said he sold them to him. Laker, who had to cooperate with the investigation because he's employed by a big-league club, was replaced by Travis Fryman at Mahoning Valley, and will be a roving minor-league instructor for the Indians.
Grimsley (1993-1995): He was suspended for 50 games in 2006 after admitting to federal officers that he used illegal performance enhancing drugs after a shipment was followed to his Arizona home. Radomski said he was one of Grimsley's suppliers.
Segui (2000): Now retired, he publicly admitted using steroids and HGH throughout his career. Radomski said he was one of Segui's suppliers.
Carreon (1996): Radomski said Carreon purchased steroids from him when he played for the Mets.
Hill (1991-1993): Radomski said he sold Hill HGH in 2001. Hill, currently Colorado's first-base coach, told investigators he never used it. Hill said he purchased it because of "marital stress."
Villone (1998): He met Radomski through Colorado teammate Denny Neagle. Radomski said Villone purchased HGH in 2004 and 2005.
Mercker (1996): Radomski said he sold Mercker HGH in 2002.
Allen (2002): Told investigators he purchased steroids from Radomski to help heal a knee injury in 2003.
David Bell (1995, 1998): Named in a March 6, 2007 Sports Illustrated article for purchasing human chorionic gonapatropin.
Rocker (2001): Sports Illustrated reported in March of 2007 that Rocker purchased two parcels of HGH. A spokesman for the former pitcher said Rocker had been prescribed it following shoulder surgery.
Williams (1997): The San Francisco Chronicle reported Williams purchased steroids and HGH in 2002 when he played for Arizona.
Woodard (2000-2001): A New York Daily News story on Sept. 7, 2007 said Woodard received steroids and HGH from a Florida rejuvenation center.
Pratt (Rule 5 pick 1987): Radomski said he sold steroids to Pratt in 2000 or 2001.
Lansing (Class AAA Buffalo, 2002): Radomski said he sold Lansing testosterone and HGH in 2002.
Mitchell investigators sought to talk with Byrd, Bell, Rocker, Williams and Woodard, but they did not cooperate. Mitchell did not have subpoena power and the players association told players to not cooperate.
Wilder, the Indians' former team doctor, was interviewed about a 1998 memo he wrote to former General Manager John Hart and assistant GM Dan O'Dowd following the winter meetings. Mark McGwire hit 70 homers that year to break Roger Maris' record. McGwire admitted to using androstenedione, a steroid precursor, which had yet to be banned by MLB.
During a presentation at the meetings, a doctor representing MLB said there was nothing wrong with players increasing their testosterone levels. This disturbed Wilder and many others, who felt like it was a green light for players to use steroids.
Wilder suggested to Gene Orza of the players association that data should be sent out warning players against performance-enhancing substances. Orza said more study was needed on supplements.
In the memo, Wilder questioned whether testosterone belonged in athletics even if it improved performance. He felt the players association was stalling.
"I just thought it was crazy what the players association and Gene Orza were doing," said Wilder. "John and Danny read the memo, but their hands were tied. They were concerned about the team's finances. The players association was so strong . . . it was a collective bargaining thing."
Mitchell criticized owners, players, management and the players association for letting baseball's steroids problem get out of control. In 2002, after Hart had left the Indians to become GM in Texas, he signed Gonzalez, who left the Indians through free agency.
By that time, Angel Presinal, the strength coach who said it was Gonzalez's duffel bag that was found at the Toronto airport in 2001, had been banned from every clubhouse in the big leagues. Presinal, according to the Mitchell report, was a frequent visitor to the Rangers clubhouse to see Gonzalez even though Hart had knowledge of what had happened with the Indians.
MLB finally banned Presinal from the Rangers clubhouse.
Said Indians President Paul Dolan, "The Cleveland Indians are in full support of Commissioner Selig's response to the Mitchell report. Our organization has been committed to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing substances from the game of baseball."
-------------------
Terry Pluto: Selig must take some action
Posted by Terry Pluto Plain Dealer Columnist December 13, 2007 19:18PM
Categories: Terry Pluto columns
George Mitchell said he didn't want any of the 80 current and former major-league players charged as cheaters in his report to be disciplined.
Commissioner Bud Selig said he "would take action," and do it on a "case-by-case" basis.
Good for him, that's the right approach.
Just because a player's name appears in the Mitchell Report doesn't convict him of anything. But the report also contains cancelled checks and other documentation pointing to athletes buying steroids and Human Growth Hormone.
That can't and should not be ignored. Some legal types will scream, "That's circumstantial evidence." Yes, it is, and people go to jail on that type of proof every day. If one player or former trainer names another -- and that's all they have on the guy -- then there should be no punishment. But a solid paper trail demands a verdict from the commissioner.
So should the fans, who probably have a sense that nearly everyone was cheating. You have the greatest hitter of our generation in Barry Bonds and the best pitcher in Roger Clemens being fingered for steroid use. Other names in the report included former Most Valuable Players Miguel Tejada, Mo Vaughn and five others. That's right, seven of baseball's MVPs are named as cheaters in this report appearing under the name of former U.S. Senator George Mitchell.
The report was tilted toward New York because information came from former Yankees strength coach Brian McNamee and former Mets clubhouse man Kirk Radomski.
That means this is just a partial list, Mitchell admitting he was being conservative. He talked about a lack of cooperation from the Players Association. Now there's a shock. The union has been gutless on this issue from the beginning, preferring to protect the guilty than listen to the innocent members who wanted a clean game. That very well could have convinced other players to order up some HGH after arm or knee surgery to promote healing.
It had to be discouraging for athletes playing it straight to compete with guys who obviously had an unfair advantage.
The union should be embarrassed by its history of fighting drug testing and other attempts by baseball to control the problem.
And management should be ashamed for knowing that something was wrong in the 1990s, that players were getting so big, so fast and the steroid whispers were growing more frequent -- yet the owners were thrilled to be see fans packing the stands after the 1994 strike to watch Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Bonds and the rest assault home run records.
Mitchell verbally spanked the union, but barely even issued a warning to the owners and front offices. Could it because he has been a director for the Boston Red Sox? Nah. For years, scouts and front office executives would mention how this player was "a 'roids guy," and to be careful about committing a long-term deal to him because of the injury risk. Seldom did you hear anyone mention the fact that the guy was a cheater.
There are 17 former Indians mentioned, most either the Tim Laker, Todd Pratt bench types, or the notorious such as Juan Gonzalez, Jason Grimsley and John Rocker -- who had long been suspected. Paul Byrd's name appears, but only because it was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle story about his purchasing HGH.
For Tribe fans, there are no bombshells here. But more names may come from other sources.
Baseball has long battled scandals. The 1919 World Series was fixed. So were other games, but that often was ignored. In the 1960s and 1970s, players gobbled amphetamines (called greenies) before games. You also can throw in spitballs and corked bats, but those seem more like venal sins compared to the major offenses that are a part of chemical baseball warfare.
For baseball, it's a dismal day, no matter how Selig and Mitchell tried to characterize it. We truly have watched a Steroids Era. While not everyone who deserves punishment will get it, the commissioner should do his best to nail those who are truly guilty with significant suspensions.
It would be nice if the union would help -- and the membership demand it -- but don't count on it. There are still too many people in this story running for cover.
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