The Orioles Don't Care for the Mitchell Report

Because of the inclusion of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, no team had more reason to be chagrined by the allegations of the Mitchell Report than the New York Yankees. A close second, though, would have to be their AL East rivals from Baltimore. David Segui and Jay Gibbons we already knew about but, all told, 19 other current or former Orioles, including Miguel Tejada and Brian Roberts, two of their best players in recent years, were named as well. As a result, they are breaking with MLB's party line and challenging the report.

"As to the information and allegations contained in the Mitchell report, the Orioles caution observers to resist the temptation to accept collective judgments based upon unsubstantiated allegations. The Orioles further believe that each major league player must be treated on an individual basis, must not be judged responsible by mere association, and is innocent of any improper conduct until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt."

I think it's okay for the O's to stand up for Roberts. Unlike the other players in the report, there's no documented evidence of Roberts using steroids. He's included simply because Larry Bigbie, under the watchful eye of federal investigators, named him as part of testimony designed to avoid his own punishment.

That said, if individual teams are going to fight the findings of the report, if they've even read it, the league is going to get nowhere with trying to implement reforms. It already seemed that the report was aimed to damage the players and their union more than point out the failings of the teams to live up to the league mandate to stop the use of performance enhancers. Documents were included that pointed out that the Red Sox, Dodgers and Brian Sabean all had information about steroid use and didn't do anything about it. Players using illegal drugs is wrong but their employers enabling and encouraging it is just as damning.

I've got serious doubts about how much anyone ever really cared about steroids in baseball. The Mitchell Report merely confirmed what everyone already assumed, just about everyone was doing it, but that assumption led to no change over the last decade from fans, players, teams or Bud Selig. The Orioles' statement, however true, sounds like the same old song.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-17-2007 @ 7:05PM

foustanela said...

Proposed Hall of Fame Asterik Notation System:

* Pre-1910: Stimulants May Have Been Used
** 1910-1940: Stimulants Used; Home Remedy
Variety, Chewing Tobacco and
Alcohol Only
*** 1940-2000: Stimulants Used; Alcohol, Uppers,
Downers, Pot, Tobacco Products, Bodybuilding Supplements, YOOHOO,
Contact Lenses to meet demands of
Juiced Up Era.
**** 2000-2007: Steroid Era.

*5 2007-2050: DNA Alteration/Puritan Era.

12-17-2007 @ 7:30PM

baltimoron said...

This denial by Peter Angelos is more gross and disgusting than the Mitchell Report. Another no class, white trash representative of Baltimore. Thanks Pete.

12-17-2007 @ 11:48PM

dewayne said...

I think that MLB should apologize to the players and fans - they should except responsibility for allowing the players to take steroids - they simply turned their heads

Apologize and let the sport take it's hits and move forward.

12-18-2007 @ 3:26AM

Bill said...

Good for the O's. Don't pay this toothless beaureaucratic hack job any more notice other than to denigrate it once and move on. Until the gov't steps in and purges the sport independently and with full weight of investigation, testing and penalty its all just a big MLB circle jerk.

When y'all get serious let me know. Until then, PLAY BALL!

12-18-2007 @ 6:26AM

Larry said...

The fan is the loser, no one wants to admit wrong doing, they are all making much to much money to change anything . The Mitchell report as dopey as it is will blow over. in July no one will care who does what drug or why. The concerns will be what team gets the best players before the trading deadline.