John Dowd compares his 1989 Pete Rose investigation with Mitchell's: "Selig is a suit."

Comment by John M. Dowd, Partner, Akin Gump Comment by John M. Dowd - 2 hours ago (12/12/07)

• "Senator Mitchell has had a formidable challenge and faced obstacles I never encountered.

We both lacked the subpoena power but

• unlike my task he did not have the support of the Commisioner nor did he have a Commissioner with full disciplinary powers.

Commissioners Uberroth, Giamatti and Vincent all had the full, unfettered power to inquire, to hold hearings, to decide the issues and to punish the malefactor.

• Selig is a suit and in this case subject to the collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

Mitchell has encountered nothing but hostility from the union which is a tragedy in itself. You would think the Union would be interested first in the health, welfare and integrity of the ball players. Not this time.

• However, Mitchell, like our experience, was able to gather significant facts resulting from the voluntary cooperation of ballplayers who love the game and from cooperating witnesses made available by law enforcement.

I believe he did his level best to produce an honest report about the conduct which has created a terrible cloud on this national treasure.

• I look forward to reading his report."

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