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So for those of you hoping the Blue wouldn't play a big part in yesterday's release of the Mitchell Report (by the way, this guy's blog must be going through the roof right now), we have some bad news. On the other hand, for those hoping the Dodgers would be front and central in the drug addled tale, like a regular at Studio 54 circa 1979, this is your lucky day! Ex-Dodgers play a central role in the report, primarily Eric Gagne, Kevin Brown, and Paul LoDuca. Additionally, Mitchell's work indicates the organization (and we're talking the Fox Dodgers, primarily) had very little institutional control over the drug issue. LoDuca, an incredibly popular player during his tenure at the Ravine (there are still Dodgers fans who haven't gotten around to taking down their Paul DePodesta effigies after he traded him), is described as the point man among Blue users (remember, he was famous for his leadership), connecting teammates to now-disgraced Mets clubhouse dude Kirk Radomski. It is for some a sad day in the history of the Dodgers. For others, it's a sad day for things we hold dear, like due process and evidentiary standards.
The good news, of course, is that no current Dodgers were named in the report, though you'd have to be completely naive to assume that just because someone (Blue or otherwise) didn't find his name in print for all the wrong reasons doesn't mean that someone didn't, hasn't or isn't currently cheating in one form or another. The implicated, in the words of Yahoo! baseball writer Jeff Passan on the radio this morning, "had the wrong drug dealer."
The issue clearly isn't closed, and nobody should have expected closure from the report. But honestly, I had internalized the gist of its contents a while ago. You'd have to be living under a rock for the last decade or so to be shocked by any of what was revealed on Thursday. We've all had a chance to form opinions about "The Steroid Era," and for me, the release of the Mitchell Report doesn't change anything. Very few of the names mentioned surprised me in the slightest (and I admit to a more-than-slight sense of giddiness at seeing Roger Clemens featured so prominently), and I agree with Senator Mitchell that retroactive punishment is fairly pointless. Really, what I want to see now is baseball's response. Will the union agree to blood testing? Will ownership and the league stay vigilant, for reasons other than hoping Congress doesn't step in? Or will we all be having this discussion again in five or ten years?
I hope not.
BK
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BK:
I couldn't agree more. but what's a fan to do? The game has been ruined by this scourge, and there doesn't seem to be any way to punish the wrongdoers of the past or prevent the ones of the future.
We could hold our nose, stop going to games, stop watching on TV, but the game is so much more beautiful than any individual player. Why should good fans have to be held hosttage by unethical players?
Besides, chicks dig the long ball, and there are many more fans who will come out to see home run hitting contests than well-piched ballgames.
Baseball has been complicit in this scandal at every level. Clearly Dodger management old and new were well aware of what their players were doing. And Selig had to be under a rock not to know.
How about voluntary testing? As long as we're casting suspicion without evidence, let's see how many players truly are above reproach.
Here's a link to a piece I wrote in 2004 after Giambi admitted using "that stuff." It seems even more appropriate today than it did four years ago.
I'm interested to hear other opinions.
http://www.observer.com/node/50280
Posted by: SaMo | December 14, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Let's not overlook that in bringing Joe Torre and Don Mattingly to the Dodgers that 2 guys who closed their eyes with Clemens & Pettite, among others, are now in a position of responsibility here.
They knowingly rode "Rocket Express", welcoming him back year-after-year. Don't try to tell me they were unaware of his antics. They are both long-time baseball guys and were hardly born yesterday.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | December 14, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Okay, at the end of the day we all know the FOX regime represents the darkest days in the Dodgers' history. Thanks to those execs at FOX all the Dodgers' problems can be traced back to one bonehead move. The day I woke up to Romey screaming through the box that, "YOU DON'T TRADE A HALL OF FAMER!" I knew things would never be the same. I remember back to the SI article, which outlined Dude's final hours in blue. I remeber thinking to myself, "who is Fabio going to work out with?" And as the Strongest Man in SoCal headed for south Florida, the Dodgers began to fall apart. It wasn't until the cleansing, rock-bottom year of 2005 that the Crew began to rise like the Phoenix.
Trading Piazza led to the acquisition of Hundley, which led to the need for LoDuca to outduel Pena for the gig behind the plate. It was Hundley who connected Pauly with his boy in NYC, and it was Dukey who introduced the "stuff" to Gagne. And on, and on. Trading Piazza was the worst move the Dodgers have ever made ... now it's obvious that it was the worst move in more ways than one.
As an aside, I fully realize Hundley didn't introduce the "stuff" to Pauly, and I also realize that keeping Piazza doesn't mean the "stuff' wouldn't have made its way to Chavez Ravine. But trading Iron Mike certainly didn't help the situation, now did it?
Posted by: Paul Simonds | December 14, 2007 at 01:42 PM
I agree with the OC Register writer: The Mitchell Report is hardly gospel, but instead closer to McCarthyism. If Clemens trainer serves him up, who is there to cross examine his allegation? And to insinuate that this is "dark chapter" in baseball that we need to put behind us, how is keeping Clemens and Bonds and the others out of the Hall of Fame doing that? With Pete Rose, they keep him out of the Hall, and we never stop talking about it. Keeping Rose or Bonds or God forbid Clemens out of the Hall is ridiculous. Baseball can not on the one hand give the thumbs up sign when the home runs of Bonds and Sosa happen, and the Clemens' strikeouts happen and give the thumbs up when the ticket and merchandise sales go through the roof. Then when this report comes out, give the thumbs down to the same players and keep them out of the hall of fame. Pure stupidity. Guys like Clemens and Bonds are the face of baseball, like it or not. If they are not in the Hall of Fame, they should burn the building to the ground, as it is as legitimate as the Grammy Awards. Actually, the Grammy Awards are more legit because they are rewards and accolades that go out to the records and artists that make the most money for the music industry. Baseball would not reward the people (Bonds, Clemens, etc.) that make them all their money.
And another note: sports writers are shams too, they would throw their grandmothers down a flight of stairs if it meant that they could get a headline. Sorry LA TImes, but its the truth.
Posted by: richard | December 14, 2007 at 01:47 PM
I was born yesterday...
Posted by: THE 1-DAY OLD KID | December 14, 2007 at 01:48 PM
As a matter of fact, I WAS born yesterday!! HAHA!!
Posted by: THE 1-DAY OLD KID | December 14, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Chunk -
Puhleeze... you mean to tell me if the dodgers didn't have the chance to have Rocket 2 years ago they wouldn't have snatched him up? Even if they knew?
I'd like to say no, but you have to say yes.
This whole thing is a folly,and anyone who thinks that something good will come of it is wasting their time. There will always be ways to cheat, and the labor union will insure that the players will be able to cheat.
Gnaw on this - should we put an asterick next to every record set in the modern era because todays players have better training equipment?
Posted by: benzo jones | December 14, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Although the home run is an exciting aspect of baseball, revenue does not seem to be reliant on it. Dodger stadium had record attendance last year, yet it is considered a pitcher friendly ballpark. Also, Coors Field used to see a lot more home runs before they started storing the baseballs in a humidified room. I doubt they thought it would affect their revenue.
I was disturbed by the (lack of) logic in Clemons's denial. Supposedly, the trainer, McNamee, is not to be trusted because he was facing jail time. As Mitchell said, McNamee was asked to tell the truth, and if he exaggerated, the recommendation of leniency would be revoked. So he actually had less of an incentive to lie. It would have been better to not talk at all since making up names could only be to his detriment. At least he could have gone the way of Bonds and claimed to not know what was put in his body. A bit more believable but not by much.
Posted by: Michael | December 14, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Come on all!
Be honest with ourselves. A couple of days ago we asked for pop out of the ball players. Now we are shamed ´cause of roids. Now we would say it´s better to have JPierre rather than Sheffield in LF???? Where in the world is pop without roids outhere. 25-30 at most sounds human. More sounds juiced.
Let´s face it, we are part (whatever the % is) in this dark day in sports
Posted by: tio | December 14, 2007 at 02:36 PM
I'm sure you all feel the same as I do.....I would rather watch a 15 inning 1-0 game in which each team got only 3 hits and the winning run scores on a wild pitch, even if the Dodgers are on the losing end, than the Dodgers winning 12-3 and getting 18 hits, 4 of them dingers.
Just as I find it it more thrilling as pure baseball to see if Juan Pierre can throw out a runner at home plate trying for an inside the park home run on a bloop to short center than say, Delwyn Young hitting the ball almost out of Dodger Stadium.
(I know this though....NO WAY Shawn Green did anyhting illegal to help him hit home runs!!!)
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | December 14, 2007 at 03:29 PM
In other news, the D-Backs have picked up Dan Haren from the A's for a big package of prospects. Obviously, this'll have an effect on the race in the West this season. More to come, I'm sure.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | December 14, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Dan Haren for prospects? A series against the D-Backs now will be lovely, having to face Webb, Dodger Killer Doug Davis (did they ever score against him?) and Dan Haren.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | December 14, 2007 at 04:50 PM
What's the deal? The D'backs get Haren for six prospects, none of whom has ever played above AA for a full season? Either The Athletics are completely down on Haren (maybe they're hiding an injury) or the D'Backs are geniuses. I can't belive the Dodgers don't have a package of six mediocre minor leaguers they could have traded for Haren.
Posted by: SaMo | December 14, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Apparently some of the prospects dealt by Arizona are well regarded.
Baseball America rates three of them in Arizona's top 10.
Carlos Gonzalez - #1 prospect
Brett Anderson - #3 prospect
Aaron Cunningham - #7 prospect
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | December 14, 2007 at 06:21 PM
From Dodgerblues.com:
Plaschke wrote: "By the time Gagne and Brown were at their Dodgers peak in the 2003 season, it was obvious to me that both players were probably on steroids," writes Bill Plaschke in an article published Friday. "You can no longer believe Gagne's record 84-game save streak. Sorry, it's as phony as he was."
When Gagne signed with Texas last year, Plaschke sung his praises—despite being convinced he was on steroids: "We'll miss his fist pump. We'll miss his baggy pants. We'll miss his wrinkled shirt and filthy cap and dorky eyewear and killer curve. Mostly, we'll miss his nightly entrance into a stadium that was transformed into a roaring jungle, Dodgers fans bonding together on late summer nights to witness the greatest throws on Earth."
Now, just a year later, Plaschke sees George Mitchell's report and takes the easy opportunity to tear apart Gagne—both the man and his accomplishments.
Posted by: hashpipe | December 14, 2007 at 06:45 PM
Regarding Kuroda, this is from the Mariners website.
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326828&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea
If the article is correct, a decision is expected before Sunday.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | December 14, 2007 at 07:22 PM
To Richard, I have no issue with baseball fans loving the time of Bonds and Sosa hitting the homeruns, Clemens getting the strikeouts but dogging them now. The fans didn't know it at the time. but obviously now they do. That is called being educated. I think it is great to see Clemens legacy spin around down the toilet, can't say that wasn't "Roid Rage" with the broken Piazza bat. Everyone was giving him the free ride, he's a warrior, he's focused, etc. I say he was drugged! it is sad to see Gagne ride the swirl down but I think he now deserves to be dogged. I am glad that most of the Dodgers listed were just imports (that I disagreed with at the time anyway).
Posted by: TimDodger | December 14, 2007 at 07:37 PM
No sooner than I post a Kuroda article from the Marinier's website, than this one appears on the Dodger site.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326932&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | December 14, 2007 at 08:14 PM
plaschke.wow what a moron and he thinks we don't see his political side (upchuck) i hope the dodgers kick him and tj out of the clubhouse i mean they can go to kents place and get the story of the day. And yes i am glad that Piazza was not part of this, he gave us all he could right on.
Posted by: PK-IN-THE-MESA | December 14, 2007 at 08:16 PM
hashpipe
One thing Plaschke wrote that I thought was profound....
"Mentioned in the report were nine players on the 2000 team, and eight players on the 2001 team.
Alas, only the Dodgers could have that many alleged juicers and still not make the playoffs, with the team winning 86 games each season."
Ain't that the truth. Gotta love the 'Bums.
Posted by: dodgerskip | December 14, 2007 at 08:17 PM
"We could hold our noses..." OH BARF!!!!!" Dont go 'limp' on us, as MLB/'Pro Sports' are vulgar and disgusting...for a few pieces of silver, these whores SOLD OUT for personal profit, and thumbed their noses at the Game, and each of you toady boot lickers. EVERY ONE of these players, managers, coaches, and especially the owners, have CLEARLY DECLARED "Yes, despite being a multi-millionaire, I AM FOR SALE! GIMME, GIMME, GIMME." No wonder we have turned our backs on 'Pro' sports, as they got the values of Wall Street, Washington Politicians and 'entertainers' from Tijuana!!! But most of you loyal toadies just wanna grab a six pack, flop down and go brain-dead....you're SUCH an inspiration!
Posted by: Robert Laughing | December 14, 2007 at 08:22 PM
hashpipe - Plaschke has been pullin' that act for a looooong time now. Jim Murray he 'aint. Guy just goes with whichever way the prevailing wind takes him. Probably helps his "readership" or something.
______
The List is a joke. Mitchell only had a few stoolies. Imagine how many more names if he had 10 pigeons, how 'bout 30.........
Canseco so far has been right on about most of what he says. Didn't he say 50% are on PED's? Don't know about that, but it's ALOT closer to 50% than that incomplete multi-million dollar (60 MIL ????????) pile of poop "outed".
Selig - Owners - Management - they all knew what was goin' on. The MONEY was rollin' in, what's the problem ?????????
Posted by: ALS | December 14, 2007 at 08:31 PM
The management of professional baseball and football are slime. They could stop this issue in a nano second but choose not to do so because they stupidly believe it will cost them money. The entire lot of them should be jailed and have all assets forfeited. I am outraged that I have to spend time trying to explain this issue to my kids.
Posted by: adoptivefather | December 15, 2007 at 08:27 AM
Canseco has always been in trouble most of his life, he got to the big show and really didn't win anything, Oh i forget he will always be known for driving to fast and the King of Roidsville
Posted by: PK-IN-THE-MESA | December 15, 2007 at 09:16 AM
The Pads have picked up Jim Edmonds, as well, for a minor leaguer. This one, while it might look nice on paper, won't improve them much. Edmonds isn't the guy he was three or four years ago anymore. Going from Cameron (who I don't really love as a player, either) to Edmonds is definitely a downgrade.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | December 15, 2007 at 10:02 AM