More Steroid Issues: The Mitchell Investigation, By: Anthony Amobi

January 20, 2007

Well, once again the steroid issue is of great importance in the world of baseball. Afraid of another potential government inquiry of MLB, George Mitchell made it known to owners, “lack of cooperation with his investigation into steroid use will ‘significantly increase’ the chances of government involvement.”

Basically, baseball has been warned to either cooperate in a probe to study drug use or the government will get involved.

Speaking to owners at baseball’s quarterly meetings, Mitchell said he intends to interview active players and raised the possibility that Congress or other government authorities could compel players, owners and officials to once again appear before a congressional committee.

As I figured when I heard the news last year, not much was going to happen. Without subpoenas, you cannot force player or anyone to testify and cooperation is voluntary.

I think the silence and the latest decree by George Mitchell says a lot.

From what I see, a lot of players are keeping silent simply for the fact, if they don’t have to say anything, they won’t. As well, there might be a few who are guilty and might not want to implicate themselves or others.

More importantly, I think the silence may indicate that the owners as well as most of the players feel that enough was done to combat use drug in baseball by testing and instituting punishment for violation of the policy. However, I think the issue will finally stop getting the attention it has gotten from the media and government, if there will finally be open and honest debate about drug use, as well as introducing Olympic drug testing, much like the World Anti-Doping Association recommends.

Baseball right now is pretend that the whole drug issue is resolved – but, in the eyes of most, not enough has been done to curb drug use.

If baseball finally decides to adopt Olympic style testing, a lot of the worry that has hung over a dark with baseball may finally disappear, the sport and the media can move on.