I have been following the MLB performance enhancing drug usage scandal as much, well maybe not as much, as anyone. I read and listened to the Marion Jones debacle and shrugged my shoulders and bowed my head. I remember when Ben Johnson lost his status in the track world for using outlawed drugs and did much the same thing. I firmly believe that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were using performance enhancing drugs when they went on their homerun barrage that helped return the fan to MLB. I also firmly believe that Bud Selig and Donald Fehr knew about it and didn't do anything constructive about it. MLB and the MLBPA have to be responsible enough to step up to the plate and accept responsiblity for this ugly mess we have in MLB. And it starts with their respective leadership. Instead of casting stones at one another they have to put that behind them come to some kind of agreement on what is banned and what and when testing should be done. It is something they have to agree upon and I, personally, think it is the only way baseball will ever get past the steroid era.
I am sick and tired of hearing Bud Selig sound like the tough guy now after he turned a silent ear and eye to this issue when the power hitters were filling the seats again. This guy is a sham and should be considered as such. Here is the tough guy on the result of the Mitchell Report which he authorized on March 30, 2006.
"I haven't seen the report yet, but I'm proud I did it." - a comment on December 12, 2007 the day before the report was made public.
Selig referred to the Mitchell Report as "a call to action. And I will act."
"Discipline of players and others identified in this report will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If warranted, those decisions will be made swiftly." - another comment made by Selig as a result of the Mitchell Report.
Is Fehr an innocent here? Not hardly, but you know what, he knows it. In his press conference regarding the Mitchell Report Fehr accepted some responsibilty for the steroid problem in MLB. At the same time he voiced his concern for the players named in it and how they would be treated by the league. Was Fehr wrong to issue to the players the following statement regarding their cooperation with Mitchell? "While Senator Mitchell pledges in his memo that he will honor any player request for confidentiality in his report, he does not pledge, because he cannot pledge, that any information you provide will actually remain confidential and not be disclosed without your consent. For example, Senator Mitchell cannot promise that infromation you disclose will not be given to a federal or state prosecutor, a Congressional committee, or even turned over in a private lawsuit in response to a request or a subpoena."
The Mitchell Report, authorized by Bud Selig, focused on players using and did not investigate the role teams played. The Mitchell Report claimed that the MLBPA was "largely uncooperative." Can't imagine why. Hadn't the MLBPA agreed to anonymous testing in 2003 only to find out that anonymous went out the window when the names of those who tested positive appeared in government documents during the BALCO investigation. How could that have happened, Bud? And why did Mitchell give Selig an advance copy of the report but not the MLBPA? Jason Giambi was interviewed by Mitchell because of his history and comments regarding steroid usage. He was also threatened with discipline by Big Bad Bud.
So, who do you believe? Bud and MLB or Donald and the MLBPA? Do you believe Roger and Barry or do you believe Kimberly Bell and Brian McNamee? Do you believe the 89 players who weren't supposed to be named in the Mitchell Report, but were, or do you believe a couple of guys who wrote a book about steroid usage in MLB? I don't know. I have such a hard time with it and apparently the lying isn't only in MLB.
Imagine how shocked I was when Robert Irvine, the culinary star of "Dinner:Impossible" on the Food Network disclosed that he kind of "cooked up" some of the stuff on his resume. Like he never really cooked for the Royal Family or various U.S. Presidents. His response..."I am truly sorry for misleading people and misstating the facts." Really? The Food Network's response...it won't be renewing his contract. How about that...simple and easy. He lied and now he will fry.
And then there is Margaret B. Jones who had her critically acclaimed memoir, "Love and Consequences" published last week. Margaret had a rough life being half white and half American Indian growing up in South Central Los Angeles as a foster child hanging with gang####ers and running drugs with the Bloods. Sounds rough doesn't it? Guess what...it ain't true. Maragret B. Jones is actually Margaret Seltzer who is all white and grew up in well to do Sherman Oaks, CA. Didn't hang with gang####ers and probably wouldn't know a Blood from a Crip or a red crayon. Her response..."For whatever reason, I was really torn and I thought it was my opportunity to put voice to people who don't get listened to," she said. "Maybe it's an ego thing...I don't know. I just felt that there was good that I could do and there was no other way that someone would listen to it." Her publisher's reponse. Recalled all copies of the book and has cancelled her book tour. Simple and right to the point. Bingo. You lied...you stay home and put roses between the pages of all the copies of your never to be read book.
So, do any of you think MLB and the MLBPA could ever get to satisfactory justice the quick and easy way? Hell no! Neither is willing to make the kind of concessions necessary. Fehr will continue to be a stalwart for the players and until they direct him to make changes and find a peaceful middle ground nothing constructive will happen on their end. And as long as Allan "Bud" Selig is the commissioner of MLB the ego driven attitude of its leadership will never be willing to admit any responsibility for this sad part of MLB. Selig is more than willing to jump to the front when it comes to accepting accolades for increased attendance and revenues. He is more than willing to jump all over the accolades that come with establishing International play. He is more than willing to take credit for the success of Wild cards and the playoff format and interleague play. And, maybe he should. But it ain't all it seems Bud. You have to take the good with the bad. You are the presiding leader of MLB during what could arguably be called it's greatest scandal. And you ain't lily white in this deal.
Sadly, in MLB, on the Food Network and in certain literary pages, nobody is who or what they appear to be. I suppose it is like that all around us. So why do we let the baseball thing get us where we turn into something other than what we really are? Or is this really the worst thing going on around us now? Is this really what should be taking up our news pages and our Congress and FBI's efforts on a daily basis? Can't they just say that if you used these drugs you are done? Can't they just say that if you lied about it you are done? You know, as much as I cannot stand the hypocrisy of the Court of Public Opinion I think in some cases I would appreciate the expediency with which these kinds of things are dealt with. It hasn't been proven that Barry Bonds used these drugs or even lied about it but the COPO (Court of Public Opinion) has determined he is guilty. Barry...you're fired. Roger hasn't admitted using them and any evidence against him is...well...curious at best. But the COPO says he is guilty as hell. Roger...you're fired. The 89 guys in the Mitchell Report...sorry fellas...you're fired. Donald Fehr...you're fired. Hey Bud, this Buds for you and...you're fired...twice!
Maybe it really is time to shut off the television and cancel the newspaper subscription. Now ain't that a sad state of affairs.
And that's the bottom line...
BOOMER SOONER!!!
Information used in this post came from the Tuesday, March 4, 2007 of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and from MLB.com and wikipedia (yea, whatever!)
Bud Selig. The man is a human astrik. How long will it be before you stop wondering if a player took a drug to help him hit a monster homerun or makes a fantastic defensive play in the field. The innocence of the game and appreciation for the player has been stripped away for my lifetime. Shakey Buds statement that he is going to clean up the game is every bit as pathetic as Bonds and Clemans denial of ever knowingly taking H.G.H and/or steriods. Please quit, retire or just take your self declared bounus and stay away from the game I love.
There is no commissioner of Major League BAseball. Bud is the owners advocate and Fehr is the players advocate. There is no one in control of the whole thing, or working for all of MLB's interests, only their side. If congress really wanted to do someting constructive, they would demand that MLB get a real objective commissioner or revoke the anti-trust exemption.
gee coach that about says it all.but i'm tired of people saying that congress and the fbi shouldn't be involved. the way i see it is if they don't involve themselves then who's gonna fix it. bud,the owners,the players union,the agents and the players themselves are not going to.the feds get involved because these companies like balco and the like were busted. all the above list stayed mum about it.i don't think because mlb banded some of these drugs in what 2005 these players can admit to using them and walk away.the drugs they used are illegal,federally,nation wide are they not? if i've got a opened can of beer in my car the cops in this little town are going to put me through the ringer.mlb players get scared from seeing the clemens circus on t.v. and say "yea i used in 2004 once or twice" and thats it. without a script from the doc,just some trainer thats needle happy to stick people's butts. and i go to court for a opened beer can in my car. congress gets paid a salary,i say its about time they've earned it and be the mediator and fix baseball.i'm one who loves baseball,end this madness once and for all.great read you a true fan of sports.
This steroid #### makes me sick-LaRussa went on record as wanting the Cards to sign Bonds--Seems LaRussa believes in "forgiveness"! He would play Satan for a Championship! Cards Management declined to do this, but the team still has more admitted cheaters than any other team. Its all about the $$ and now its time to pay the Piper! The fallout from all this remains to be seen, but I know the "Game" is hurt by the greed and the publicity around it!!!.....Random thoughts from a Texan in exile in Missouri............
Cards Management declined to do this, but the team still has more admitted cheaters than any other team. Its all about the $$ and now its time to pay the Piper!
I will paste this news in my profile on the dating site ++++MeetWealthyBoomer.com++++ It is a great place for 30+ singles to meet love and romance. I've met my soul mate there. Good luck, folks! :)
It is sad what has happened to our national pasttime. There was a time when I'd either play baseball all day long, or camp out in front of the tube for hours watching game after game. As a result of the cheating, I no longer do either.
Nonetheless, I remain hopoeful that I will one day regain my love for major league baseball. I'd love to sing the praises of those athletes who have and are doing it the right way.
It truly is a sad state of affairs and the root of the problem isn't limited to just sports. Personal responsibility is rare in darn near every walk of American life. One thing I have to keep remembering about Selig is that he doesn't act on his own concerning the PHD matter. He is the voice of the owners. Now you're talking about some powerful people that in the final analysis are responsible for how MLB has handled this problem. Anyone that solely blames Bud Selig is giving that man way too much credit. I personally think he's just a used car salesman who happens to be nothing more than a mouthpiece for the good old boy owners... The union is another can of worms. The MLBPA is said to be the strongest union in America. The players must bow to legitimate drug testing and penalties or it will be forced upon them via the Federal government.
gcoach
The whole of baseball has obfuscated much of its primarly responsibilties to the game and the fans. So we oughtn't be surprised by any of this at all. It's the same way we'll at times feel about the government. So in the end everyone is to blame but the real losers here are the fans of sports in general. Everyone involved in the sport has made out gangbusters. The hierarchy as the money came rolling into their coffers , the players and offcourse the major tv networks as well as cable providers.
BTW my primary site has now been deemed 'person non grata' by the powers that be at Fox. So much of what I'll now be doing will be done under this guise.
What I don't get is why people like Jason Giambi are still allowed to play baseball. His entire career is fake. He got where he is because of steroids, not because of talent. And for any #### like him who says "it doesn't matter. Steroids can't help you learn how to hit a baseball" , you've got to be KIDDING me.
Well, steroids increase strength and makes your body more durable to the grind of the season. Strength and durability increase your bad speed. Increased bat speed makes it MUCH more likely that you will get the fat part of the bat on the ball. Hitting with the fat part of the bat GREATLY increases the chances of you getting a hit. So basically it will increase your average and your power numbers. Giambi is a disgrace to the game of baseball, as in anyone else who used steroids.
For HGH, I think Giambi is still using it. But for those who used it once to heal an injury faster to help their team, it's still cheating, but not NEARLY to the same level.
It's amazing. In the mid 90s to the early 2000s, hitting 50 or 60 home runs was quite common. We would see guys like Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Barry Bonds #### out 50 or 60 home runs seasons annually. Eric Gagne was busy saving 84 straight games and throwing 100 mph. Clemens was starting seasons 5-6 and ending them 15-0. What's worse is that everyone who of those cheaters looked right into the eyes of the fans and LIED about it. Managers and MLB officials knew it was going on too, and they did NOTHING.
Why doesn't Barry Bonds just come out and say it? Why doesn't CLEMENS just come out and say it?? We a
Thanks for all of the comments. I will get around to answering all of you individually but I will not have computer access today or tonight as I will be at the MN Boy's High School Hockey Tournament. Again, thanks for dropping by and I will get back to all of you eventually.
coach I agree with just about everything you have written here. I think I'll echo other sentiments when I voice my frustration with the lack of personal responsibility. Whether people want to accept this view or not I firmly believe this whole mess of steroids or cheating in sports...regardless who did or didn't take action...falls on the shoulder of the individual steroid taker. Ultimately it was their choice to take PED's or not. If these individuals make the choice to stay clean...we have no issue here.
gcoach...Bud Selig is an embarrassment. The reasons why this went on for so long are clear...money. Nice article, and Boomer Sooner baby. Good luck in NCAAs.
First of all I apologize to all of you for not getting back to you sooner. Last weekend of the high school hockey season kept me pretty tied up with games and meetings and networking for non-conference games next year. Any way, here we go.
goutdaddy - Selig has done some good things for baseball and if you ever had the opportunity to sit down with him I'm sure he would regale you with what they are. At the same time he would no doubt ignore your inquiries into the steroid scandal and why didn't something appropriate get done sooner...while it was still the game you and I love. He is a turd and that is not the first tiime I have said that. If you ever have time for a boring read, you know, time like everyone has (ha) you could go to my archives to a post I did on Selig last summer. This guy is a #### of the worst degree. Clearly a businessman with a businessman's conscience.
vpribs - for a second there I thought you were going to suggest that Congress tell MLB to police themselves...and we already know that ain't happening...even though Bud thinks he is doing it now. Good suggestions on your part...sadly that ain't going to happen either.
patsfaninindy - then let them take their evidence to Federal Court in the cities that are affected. Get the evidence and parties involved and take them to court. Why do we need Congress involved? If all of the drugs you mention were illegal throughout this mess then take the appropriate action. Congressional hearings and investigations are out of line for this. That is unless they are going to do what goutdaddy suggested. Selig and the owners and Fehr and the MLBPA can't, won't, do anything constructive. Take them to court but leave the government out it. I guess what I'm trying to say, and not doing a very good job of it, is that this is a "middle of the road" problem. Yes MLB and the MLBPA can't fix it but Congress should take care of more wide ranging issues than this one before dealing with this. That means it needs to get fixed by the legal process above MLB and MLBPA and below Congress. There are plenty of venues in the justice system to work on this. That was too painful.
Cboy4evr - Money, money, money, money!!! Agreed...the game has been hurt by greed and the publicity around it. Keep it up, Bud. Like I said...Selig likes all the attention as it keeps baseball in the spotlight and a media circus in every town. A Texan living in exile in Missouri...almost as bad as a Sooner living in Gopher land.
endlesslove - the only people paying the Piper are the players who were supposed to remain anonymous. This is why someone needs to make an example of Selig as well. Yea, he may not have taken the performance enhancing drugs but he is a convicted embezzler among other things. His treatment of this issue from the beginning was ludicrous (sorry to all of you Ludicrus fans out there) and his current attempts to come off as the stalwart MLB savior is a joke that nobody can laugh at.
MeanDovine - this post has just been moved to another level with your comments. It has been awhile since we conversed but that never diminishes the respect for you. I long for the good old days when you could go to the outdoor ballpark and sit in left field for a few bucks and have a couple of dogs and a couple of beers and enjoy a sunny afternoon watching skinny kids run like the wind and guys with pot bellies and barrel chests hit mammoth shots out to you knowing you weren't going to hear what kind of drugs outside of chewing tobacco and a beer the star player was doing. I played baseball and loved it. I used to go out to the old Metroplitan Stadium to watch the Twins. Why does change often leave us with a lesser version of what was changed? You the man, MeanD. Thanks for visiting.
Dwindy1 - I agree with you to a certain point about Selig and the owners, much like the President and his Cabinet. However, as the recognized leader of MLB he has to take the hit, especially in light of the arrogance and ego he demonstrates on a daily basis. If he is going to take individual credit for the positive things that have happened in baseball since he was named commissioner then he HAS to take the individual hit for the bad stuff as well. It can't only go his way. I see many people blaming the players and the MLBPA. They have their share of the burden to bare but why isn't anyone calling for an investigation into actions of the owners, the clubs and Selig himself? Maybe because it is easier to lay the blame on the players since, as has been suggested, they are personally responsible for what they put into their bodies. But where was the concern initially? And why has MLB, Bud Selig, and the Mitchell Report so favored owenership and management and gone solely after the players? This isn't right.
ramp - too bad about Tophatal and the demise. I'll follow this one. Agreed that the real losers here are the people who really love the game and what it "used" to be.
BoSox21 - I'm not going to debate steroids or the effects of them on people...or animals for that matter. If they were all doing it, and everyone, including management knew about it, then why are we only screaming for players to be held accountable. For me, this game will never be the same as it used to be. However, it could take a huge step closer if ownership, management and the commissioner owned up t
cont. to their responsibility and their lack of action.
socrates - long time. Personal responsibility goes a long way on both sides of this argument and that is what I'm getting at. Yes, the players need to be held accountable...I'm not denying that. But the continuous mishandling of this from MLB leadership on down cannot be excused either. And everytime Selig opens his mouth on this issue he attempts to distance any responsiblity he or the owners ever had in this and attempts to paint them as the face of the saviors. I'm not falling for it. Did they take the drugs...NO...never been my point. Did they know it was going on and did nothing serious about it because fans were finally returning to their seats...YES...and why should players be only ones held accountable?
Lisa - there are so many things wrong with Selig on so many levels. Money being one of them. Sooner's women laid an egg all last week on the BBall court. Hopefully men can get on a run.
Ed - thanks for dropping into my little blog space.
I am an educator and a coach. I was a goaltender in hockey until my playing days finished but now coach hockey and soccer. Once a goaltender always a goaltender. I am an Oklahoma Sooners fan, hold most professional athletes in low regard and have no time for prima donna athletes who think they are better than others who were not fortunate enough to get where these guys, or girls, are. I don't think celebrity puts anyone higher than anyone else in any capacity which, I think, is contrary to our society perception.
