No Current Red Sox on the Mitchell Report
Not that we thought there would be, but it’s nice to know for sure. For those who don’t know, the Mitchell Report is a report on an investigation in to steroid use in Major League Baseball by former Senator Majority Leader George Mitchell.
I quickly searched for Red Sox and though the name came up many times, nothing about current players. Some former players mentioned include Roger Clemens and Mo Vaughn.
My biggest annoyance with the report?
When the Boston Red Sox were considering acquiring Gagné, a Red Sox official made specific inquiries about Gagné’s possible use of steroids. In a November 1, 2006 email to a Red Sox scout, general manager Theo Epstein asked, “Have you done any digging on Gagne? I know the Dodgers think he was a steroid guy. Maybe so. What do you hear on his medical?” The scout, Mark Delpiano, responded,
“Some digging on Gagne and steroids IS the issue. Has had a checkered medical past throughout career including minor leagues. Lacks the poise and commitment to stay healthy, maintain body and re invent self. What made him a tenacious closer was the max effort plus stuff . . . Mentality without the plus weapons and without steroid help probably creates a large risk in bounce back durability and ability to throw average while allowing the changeup to play as it once did . . . Personally, durability (or lack of) will follow Gagne . . .”
If Theo knew this was an issue why did he sign the man who became the bane of our late season relief?
Update: Statement from the Red Sox
I don’t buy it for a minute that this report is 100% accurate. I believe those on this list are link … no doubt. What I don’t buy is that nobody from the Red Sox were on the list. That is BS … Millar, Miller, Manny, Drew, Veritek, etc. none have used … I was born at night, but not last night!
What taints this report is not just the lack of Red Sox, but also the Paul Byrd leak. Paul Byrd is one of the least “sexy” names on that list. His info was leaked at a pivotable time in the ALCS when Boston was on the ropes. It just stinks of shadiness. What was bigger news … Byrd or Clemens?
Mitchell taking the lead on this is and was a CONFLICT OF INTEREST. He was on the Boston payroll!!