The Mitchell Report and Baseball's Steroids Report

The Mitchell Report is set to be released today, December 13, 2007, at 2:00PM EST in Manhattan, New York. Though not many people know what to expect on this controversial report, people can expect a couple of huge names that could potentially change our views of the sport of baseball forever.

This could be one of the most controversial reports in the history of the league, as the baseball steroid/performance-enhancing drug scandal has been going on for years. Expect George Mitchell, the producer and investigator of the report, to outright name players who used such drugs and really express disappointment. The players won't be the only ones who get nailed hard for using performance-enhancing drugs, but look for the MLB Player's Union to have it rough as well. As a union, the players should have taken more responsibility for bringing the fans a clean game of baseball.

I would expect Mitchell that in addition to discussing players involved, he would also address team general managers, head managers, doctors, and trainers. This could make up for another long component of the report, and it is a part that many people are overlooking with all of the attention focused on the players involved in this report. Look for a significant amount of time spent discussing the role of these individuals and how it relates to players usage of performance-enhancing drugs. It is certainly possible that a few of these individuals are named, which would add another interesting component to the mix. If so, it becomes an issue of shared blame: how much blame can you place on these GMs, managers, and personnel in comparison with the players who actually juiced themselves? It would become a whole different kind of debate.

If significant results are found, and both players and team personnel are blamed, look for Bud Selig to take a massive amount of blame for this whole steroid/performance-enhancing drug mess as well. After all, if any major sports league has problems, it is usually the commissioner who is blamed first and foremost. Selig would forever be remembered as the commissioner behind the steroid and illegal substance tainting of the game of baseball.

A list of players names were leaked earlier this afternoon by the media, and some of the big names on the list include St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, New York starting pitcher Roger Clemens, former Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Mark Prior, and Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield. The list does not necessarily represent players who are guilty of taking steroids, but it is highly likely that they are tied to the steroid/performance enhancing drug situation in some way. Fans are sure to find a player or two that they have a personal affinity for on the list, and it will really open up fans eyes to the players who have been connected with these horrible substances.

Look for the Mitchell Report to potentially change the game of baseball forever. It sure will be one wild response from the fans, one way or another.