We all were mad about Barry and his record. It was clear he used drugs; it is clear there were many others the past years using also. His mistake with the grand jury will probally cost him a little freedom. What about the other hitter who has over 500 HR's and he openly said'I have never used steriods"?
We now hear a 60-80 list is coming out naming many huge stars. Are they going to kick some out if they are in the HOFame? What if Cal Jr. is on the list? Roger has had rumors; now if he is listed; his sure shot at the hall will be in question?
When does the witch hunt for past players stop? We knew the steelers and raiders and many teams in football cheated with drugs. We even watched some die from years of use. We knew that Mark and Sammy were probally juiced but looked the other way because of the year they saved baseball.
We have realized probally 100's cheated in baseball through the years. We should make serious rules now and monthly testing. If they test positive; suspend them a year; the second time for life. This "he said she said" has to stop.
Why now does the league care... because some have died and the heroes have become jerks and not controllable. I agree it is wrong and something should be enforced. Is dragging up past issues going to help the future of baseball? Some of the Hall of Famers have openly said they used steriods. It seems to me that opening the past and trying to have a wich hunt on past issues; is wrong. We cannot discipline a player for something we should have enforced many years ago.
We should look at the past as a failure and make the future right. Let past heroes be heroes and teach the current players accountability and let kids still dream of playing. They just need to be taught the right way to earn their way to the top.
We watched Pete get kicked out because of decisions made as a coach not player. Strawberry was given five chances with drug problems. Now we want people to believe we care and we want to enforce policies. It is only because baseball has suffered because of greed of money; suddenly the league is now concerned and making such a mess with former players.
Deal with who test positive now and make sure you make it a serious sentence. You think Vick would have killed or let the dogs be killed if he knew he would lose millions and be in jail... no. Make a hard policy and enforce it. If players see it is consistent and they cannot play the system; if they want to play or be rich.. you will see a change. We will never make it perfect but there are ways to make it right.
I remember when the country was so concerned over communism. They kicked people out and many actors were under suspicion. The entire country was full of witch hunts; many were innocent but lifes were ruined.
I hope we learn from history and be careful who we accuse. I am all for cleaning up and fair play; there is a right way to find truth and deal with real cheaters. Hope we dont make a list and assume all are wrong and every athlete labeled before any evidence; a cheater.
Your thoughts?
Maria Kirilenko
Melanie Fitzpatrick
NFL Cheerleaders: Week 11
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It will be interesting to see how this list affects next season.
drj0514
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Roger Clemens isn't a huge surprise to me. The one thing that I did not understand about Clemens is that if he was such a workout wonder why was he always gaining weight? Towards the end of his career he looked stockier than ever.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
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True
drj0514
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If the Mitchell List does something fine, but if this is nothing more than a witchhunt with no teeth and leaves the status quo in tact, then what's the point?
Is this really going to benefit anyone or does George Mitchell fancy him self to be the new Estes Kefauver.
In case you never heard of Mr. Estes Kefauver, please access the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefauver_Committee
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (18072)
I agree and think the list is just another way to take the focus off of the game and put it on players. I do think players who cheat should be punished now. I do not agree with Witch Hunts with past players just to discredit them and hurt the game.
Make a policy and enforce it and the cheaters will appear and you can lower the hammer. Let the past stay in the past.. it only reminds us how bad or how much we didn't care. Barry is stupid enough to hang around and play.. anything he does now is a joke.
drj0514
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ESPN has a pdf file of the report. The thing is 409 pages long. I like reading legal documents as much as the next man (I really do, that wasn't a sarcastic statement) but that's just too much.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (18072)
Good Blog! I agree its a witch hunt. It still seems everyone is out to get Bonds when all they have on ANY ONE person is hearsay!! I think that if Bonds continues to play he needs to be in the same profile as Clemens and Pettite. All these players that didn't fail a UA need to file a lawsuit. I agree with the Mitchell Report's ideas on fixing the game and thats what MLB needs to do. If they don't well....
Sportfanatic
Tampa, FL
Total Comments (58)
Roger Clemens should have walked away a few years ago. I know hall of famers are keeping quiet on this one. I can guarantee they are glad they are retired.
drj0514
Total Comments (4471)
Yup Roger clemens should have retired a few years ago. I dont believe that Cal jr. used I think he was one of the last honest old school players. Players got away with breaking the rules in the past what will be different now? What will be the consequences? Forced retirement? Bigger fines? Or will they be given 4 more chances?
Jessica Marie
Fresno , CA
Total Comments (24)
I agree with what you have said. Thank you for your comments on my blog. We are both on the same page when it comes to the past miscreants who used PEDs and are generally on the same page when it comes to enforcing very tough policies in the future for use of PEDs. I wrestled with the issue of PEDs for a long time and I favor a lifetime ban for first use because of their impact on the integrity of the game itself (in terms of fair competition) and on the impact it has on job opportunities for those players who want to stay clean and compete fairly. Your proposed solution would work well also, so I have no quarrel with you about that. It is clear that we both agree that these users are going to destroy MLB if they are not stopped soon.
The users of PEDs also set a terrible example for everyone who looks up to them because they have achieved "success" as professional athletes. They's why I also believe that they should be made ineligible for election to the MLB Hall of Fame...just like Pete Rose was for gambling by betting on baseball.
BKT
Los Angeles , CA
Total Comments (114)
Whatever they decide it needs to be consistent and enforced. It will always be an issue but the more they lower the hammer; the less news it will be and less of an issue.
drj0514
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Good Blog
Daveita
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I agree very much with your blog. I do think the Mitchell report was a necessary evil in that it showed how deep the problem runs. It's what happens now that is most important. Better testing and tougher penalties would be a great start. Don't just let it get swept under the carpet.
Great Blog!
RedSoxBabe
Total Comments (14467)
drj0514:
YOur Blog is right on the money. Why dig up old stuff from years ago when actually there was not a clear rule against most of this stuff just to sound righteous. George Mitchell was a old Liberal from Washington, so why is he even involved in being the finger pointer for many of Baseball's greatest. Why not go way back and check everybody like Hank Aaron, Ripkin, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, etc if the purpose is to chastise and disgrace people. Where does this stuff end?
I too am against Steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, but I say let's get the rules now and start enforcing them strictly so we can correct the problem and move forward. If R Clemons is guilty then fine punish him, but getting Andy Pettit for using HGH for 2 days to help heal an injury is plumb ridiculous and stupid.
Bullday
Baton Rouge , LA
Total Comments (394)
I think some of this George Mitchell stuff may be racially motivated to help the Barry Bonds supporters feel like things are evening up. Isn't that the way America deals with peoples hurt feelings these days ?
I am not trying to make this a racial issue nor am I covering up for white cheaters, but I just thought that it was interesting that all of the new cheaters on George Mitchell's list are white.
Bullday
Baton Rouge , LA
Total Comments (394)
Roger is now the news... test and prove and deal harsh and move on..
drj0514
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