With new Glaus, Schoeneweis reports, spotlight finally on Selig's intervention

The AP finally mentions Selig's Dec. 6, 2007 effective pardon or amnesty of Glaus and Schoeneweis (although it doesn't mention Rick Ankiel who received the same treatment). This fact is in the Mitchell Report, but the media have rarely addressed it. Now an April 9, 2007 AP story mentioning Glaus and Schoeneweis briefly notes Selig's Dec. 6 action-albeit at the end of the article.

• (AP): "Major League Baseball said on Dec. 6 there was insufficient evidence to penalize Glaus or Schoeneweis for any violation of the sport's drug agreement with the players' association.

Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president for labor relations, declined comment on the indictment as did Gene Orza, the union's chief operating officer."

• From AP report by Mike Fitzpatrick, "Agents Allegedly Steered Players to PED Doctor," 4/9/08, published on SportingNews.com

It's in the Mitchell report. Howard Bryant made reference in at least one of his pre-December 13 articles about the commissioner's office meeting separately with certain players. And keeping the contents of their meetings confidential.

• That is, Selig intervened in what has been globally promoted as the Mitchell investigation, the most historic--and expensive--in baseball history.

The flurry of reports now about supposed "talks" going on about future "fines" or suspensions are window dressing for Mr. Selig to keep the focus off himself. Where it certainly must be now.

• Bud Selig intervened in what may have been an improper way on behalf of several players, announced they did not qualify for discipline, and -according to the Mitchell report- said nothing about their behavior to Mitchell or his investigators. Except that the named individuals did nothing to violate the union agreement at that time and therefore warranted no discipline.

These actions are all described in the Mitchell Report. I've written about it on this blog a number of times, and this April 9th report is only the second media reference I've seen about the 12/6/07 deal since Dec. 13, 2007.

• It sounds like this was in no way an "independent" report.

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