This NY Times writer does not exhibit a knowledge of the Mitchell Report

• From NY Times George Vecsey, " Baseball is not likely to punish the dozens of active players mentioned in the Mitchell report."...(item at end of column).

(NOTE: By way of disclosure, THE NY TIMES and George Mitchell are part of the same baseball ownership group (ie. The Red Sox). This is not mentioned in the NY Times article).

• If Mr. Vecsey had read the 3 tiered report, he would know that the idea of "suspensions" has been a moot point since at least December 6, 2007. George Mitchell wrote about it in his report. When Bud Selig decided

• players such as Troy Glaus, Rick Ankiel, and Scott Schoeneweis would be exempt from discipline

all other similar players would have to be off the hook as well if whatever they did was before Jan. 13, 2005 and they hadn't failed a drug test.

• (Mitchell Report): "On December 6, 2007, the Commissioner's Office announced that there was insufficient evidence of a violation of the joint program in effect at the time of the conduct in question to warrant discipline of Glaus."

• A NY Times article on 3/12/08 also notes that players like Glaus and Schoeneweis have long since been granted grace by Bud, citing the players' union agreement. The Times does not connect that this treatment must apply to all other players whose alleged, hearsay or admitted use occurred before 1/13/05, but it obviously must.

"NY Times: "Glaus and Schoeneweis met last year with Major League Baseball officials. On Dec. 6, the commissioner’s office announced that they would not be disciplined because there was insufficient evidence that either of them violated the drug-testing program in effect at the time."

• From NY Times article by Michael C. Schmidt and Duff Wilson (with Ben Shpigel), "Inquiry into Doctor May Link Players to Drugs," 3/12/08

It has nothing to do with George Mitchell's "wording," "language," or Blue Ribbon "recommendations." It's because Bud already set the precedent in late 2007.

• (The "suspensions" item is at the end of George Vecsey's column about Andy Pettitte, his "story" and his endearing southern accent, 4/6/08).

P.S. Since Mr. Vecsey is sensitive to "stories," he'll no doubt be buying Paul Byrd's book when it hits the stands in a few months.

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