So the George Mitchell press conference and report has come and gone. The names have been named kind of like the equivalent of the book “Scarlett Letter”. Much of the information has been derived from federal investigations and honestly a considerable amount of hearsay.
However, mixed in the 300 something pages of the report includes some troubling information on the San Fransisco Giants and how much they knew, when they knew it…and what they did about it. Giants brass defined a “clubhouse culture” as their defense. Basically that is absolute BS! It is like saying Bud Selig didn’t know about steroids before 1998. He knew about it quite a bit before. Selig is in a ton of hot water here…with players, owners, and the players’ union alike. He is one man I would not want to be today.
Now what does this mean for hockey? Remember early in the year, Dick Pound….head of WADA — World Anti-Doping Agency (one of the big proponents for more aggressive steroid testing) said that 20-30% of NHL athletes were using steroids. That blanket statement caused Gary Bettman to respond and fire back….rightfully so I may add. So far at least, hockey has not been dragged into the steroid quagmire like baseball has.
The message has to be received by Bettman now. To avoid a fate like baseball, get on the puck here!! It is kind of a given that steroid use is far less rampant than in other sports. Doesn’t mean they aren’t using different things like cold medicines and sedatives, etc. Keep Olympics-like testing in place and toughen the penalties and hopefully that is enough to keep investigators off their backs. Baseball will bounce back…a scandal like this in hockey would hit a lot harder folks.
For the fans of sports, this report hurts a little. Sure we will be angry to some extent but most will move past it. So to the players, ownership, and the commish of the NHL, beware and act quickly before someone else does it for you. So is it really a good day for hockey? Yes and no!
