[
Quote:
|
QUOTE=LakeErieUmp]The Mitchell Report is out (mlb.com). Not surprisingly, no current or former MLB umpires.
|
[/QUOTE]
IMO, if there is a so called "lesson" it is this.
Whenever BIG money is involved there will be cheating and not just in baseball.
The investigation was a way for Bud to try and save "face' so that his legacy would not be remebered as the Steroid " Commissioner. Also, MLB could not make it look like a "witch hunt" against Bonds so they had to find other players.
The Problem is that the list isn't complete and the information supplied was from individuals staring a prison term "in the face" They received immunity for drug trafficing.
Then there is the NCAA where they receive Mega Bucks from the networks. Do you think these kids go to class. Just about every year we hear about recruiting violations. The Presdients / AD's do not care at all especially when they receiving huge money from the BCS bowls.
Corporate America is just as corrupt as sports. En RON / World Com come to mind.
Then there is sports betting and casino gambling.
As far as baseball trying to "hold on to the sanctity of their records" IMO even before Steroids it "went out the window"
The ball parks were smaller. Night baseball replacing day baseball, the institutuion of the DH, and IMO, a HUGE change was the lowering of the pitching mound.
It's all about the money. MLB knew there was a problem back in the early 90's and did nothing about it. If the owners could field a team of androids and they drew 3.5 - 4 million people they couldn't care less.
IMO, the Fans do not care either. This is more of a media "thing" because the Fans are going to MLB parks in groves.
There will always be cheaters when BIG money is involved. Instead of "wasting" money and conducting investigations simply put in Stiff penalties that is all you can do.
Pete Booth