[simple simon]

PHOENIX -- Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell warned baseball owners that a lack of cooperation with his investigation into steroid use will "significantly increase" the chances of government involvement.

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 testimony.

"I believe it will be in your best interests, and the best interests of baseball, if I can report that I have received full cooperation from your organizations, and from others, in conducting this investigation," Mitchell said in remarks that were released to reporters.

ESPN.com - MLB - Owners warned: Help in probe, or face government

[simple simon]

i hope the government does get more involved

i want all the names to come out

i love seeing the players squirm and point fingers

[MVB]

As much as I agree with you (about loving to watch players squirm and point fingers), I have to say that this is none of the government's business. Come on! Since when is it the government's responsibilty to monitor sports???? This government is big enough...it has (and is) stretching its greedy hands outward onto everything it can get ahold of. I really despise the idea of the government investigating a GAME.

I can understand their perjury investigations...but steroids??? Investigating men who cheat in a game????? Does the government really have nothing better to do????

"The use of steroids in professional sports continues to be an issue the committee is interested in...

Who the heck cares what the committee is interested in??? Since when is it any of their business?

Baseball rule: A first positive test will result in a suspension of up to 10 days, a second positive test a 30-day ban, a third positive a 60-day penalty, and a fourth positive test a one-year ban.

Where does the Senator Mitchell get the right to investigate? These are the rules... If you're on steroids, you get banned for a definite period of time. That's it. The government isn't even a factor.

Man, if I were a baseball player, I'd really make a fuss about this.

[legend]

Baseball hired Mitchell to investigate the steroids issue. They are just getting what they paid for now.

[simple simon]

MVB, dude as soon as i saw you were here tonight i knew you would be at this thread

you made good points though........i certainly agree Congress has better things to do then this


legend, on the other hand i also agree with you........being in Maine where Mitchell is from i agree MLB is getting just what they paid for.......he knows where the skeletons are and he knows how to call out the dogs.........Mitchell has connections from his years in Washington these owners could only dream about having.........if they mess with him they are screwed

[EmpireWF]

I'm torn on this. Baseball brought this on themselves with a lack of motivation in the department for years. The debacle in front of Congress two years ago was just the turning point.

However, is it necessary to go back into time and do all this? Shouldn't Congress be using their time on more important issues? What do they think they can accomplish? etc...

[legend]

You guys are missing the point. Baseball hired this guy on their own. He is being stonewalled and using the threat of government hearings to get them to cooperate. Mitchell didn't wake up one day and decide he was going to investigate baseball. Selig specifically chose him for the job, and the owners aren't cooperating because most of them knew exactly what was going on with the steroids issue.

[azrael492]

As much as I agree with you (about loving to watch players squirm and point fingers), I have to say that this is none of the government's business. Come on! Since when is it the government's responsibilty to monitor sports???? This government is big enough...it has (and is) stretching its greedy hands outward onto everything it can get ahold of. I really despise the idea of the government investigating a GAME.

I can understand their perjury investigations...but steroids??? Investigating men who cheat in a game????? Does the government really have nothing better to do????

I don't think they are planning on investigating the game. They are investigating drug use. That is most definitely in their realm. They are trying to get the drugs out sports. They are against the law. I don't think that will have too much to do with the game being played. They will try to find out who is doing it and where they are getting the drugs. I believe they will be going after the suppliers(and Bonds).

Baseball rule: A first positive test will result in a suspension of up to 10 days, a second positive test a 30-day ban, a third positive a 60-day penalty, and a fourth positive test a one-year ban.

Where does the Senator Mitchell get the right to investigate? These are the rules... If you're on steroids, you get banned for a definite period of time. That's it. The government isn't even a factor.

If you worked at a factory and you were drug tested, would you just be sent home for 10 days, or would you get fired? I have been a supervisor for 10 years. I have had to let people go for that reason. These drugs are against the law to take them without a prescription. They are against the law to distribute them. They are against the law. Just because they are good at swinging a bat or throwing a ball does not put them above the law.

Also, Sen. Mitchell was given the right to investigate by baseball. They wanted him to do this.

[ThePundit]

It was Ronald Reagan that said the 10 scariest words in the English Language are:

"I am the government and I am here to help".

The Congress should worry about more pressing issues, don't you think?