Between the Seams: Selig defending the investigator
April 11, 2006, The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Commissioner Bud Selig on Monday defended his choice of ex-Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell to head baseball's steroid investigation, saying Mitchell's ties to ESPN and the Boston Red Sox will not hinder him.
Speaking to reporters during the first major-league game at the new Busch Stadium, Selig said Mitchell's ties to baseball will be an asset, not a liability, as will his background in investigative matters.
"He's been a federal prosecutor, he's been a federal judge," Selig said.
As for Mitchell's autonomy, Selig said he'll speak with him only on rare occasions until the investigation is complete, but will offer no input.
"He's on his own," Selig said. "It is really going to be a thorough investigation, unimpeded by anything or anybody."
Mitchell is a director for the Red Sox and chairman of The Walt Disney Co., which owns ESPN. The network broadcasts baseball and struck a deal to air a reality series starring Barry Bonds that began last week. A book about Bonds' alleged use of steroids helped prompt the investigation.
Red Sox owner John Henry also defended the choice of Mitchell, saying he wants to know if any players — including his own — used banned substances.
"If somebody on any team is using illegal substances we want to know about it and it should be dealt with," Henry said, speaking one day before Boston's home opener against Toronto.
He also voiced support for the toughened penalties for players who violate the ban against steroid use. Players will be suspended 50 games for a first offense and 100 for a second offense. A third positive test triggers a lifetime ban.
When the steroid investigation was announced, the choice of Mitchell was criticized by Sen. Jim Bunning, a Kentucky Republican and a baseball Hall of Famer, and John Dowd, who headed baseball's investigation of Pete Rose's gambling in 1989.
"I think people who took a shot at George because he might have a conflict of interest, that's really unfair," Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said. "If he could figure out a way to bring the Protestants and Catholics together after hundreds of years of bloodshed in Northern Ireland, and his idea for the Mideast peace plan was accepted by the Palestinians and the Israelis, there's no finer person, and he's a former prosecutor. Plus, he loves baseball, so he's got the interests of the game at heart, so you couldn't pick a better choice than George."
Selig appointed the former Senate Majority Leader on March 30 to lead the investigation. Mitchell has said he won't resign as a director with the Red Sox and doesn't think there's a conflict of interest.
