"The Mitchell Report" One Year Later

It has been almost one year since George Mitchell came out with his now infamous report on drugs in baseball, claims he wouldn't change a thing. His investigation of illegal substances in baseball tarnished the reputation of many star players and dozens of other, Roger Clemens being the most notable.

The Mitchell Report created a sense of all players being on some kinda of drug or hormone, and that the clubhouses were just teeming with performance -enhancers. This did lead to a more strict drug agreement between the owners and the players union. Which was uncommon for the two sides to come to such a quick agreement, something fans are not used to. Because the player union Representative Donald Fehr had always fought tooth and nail to keep such things out of the collective bargaining agreement. In the past, I think the owners never fought hard enough, but they have always had there own internal problems.

In a half-hour interview last week, from his midtown Manhattan office, The former Senate Majority Leader stated. "The impression I get is that it's had a significant impact of reducing usage, although that still remains very difficult to measure with any complete precision." In all Mitchell's 409-page report implicated seven former MVPs and 31 All-Stars--one for every position. It also identified 85 other ball players to differing degrees.

Most players like Troy Glaus and Andy Pettitte bounced back with remarkable ease. But others like Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmero are still reeling from the sting of this report. Palmero who did, in front of Congress no less, say he didn't use drugs. He later tested positive for banned substances.

The biggest question now that these players are retired is what to with them when there Hall of Fame vote comes up? I personally think they should all be banned for life. I believe this to be as severe of an infringement to the game as gambling is. Only problem, there isn't much proof. So what should be done? Unfortunately they will be allow in to the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.