MLB will never again "name names:" AP report. (Not mentioned in MLB Press Release)

(AP): "The sides agreed that in future investigations,

• allegations against players won't be made public

unless discipline is imposed, and that a player will be given the allegations and evidence against him before any investigatory interview."

• AP report by Ronald Blum, "Players, Owners Reach Drug Agreement," 4/12/08

Translation: Many names, hearsay, etc. were obtained by a Novitsky investigation, xeroxed for use by MLB, Inc. and broadcast around the world millions of times.

• Apparently, someone decided something like this should never happen again.

How fortunate for the many who hadn't been named in connection with federal money-laundering and related investigations.

• The report did not say this action was an admission of wrong-doing by MLB, Inc.

There's one phrase in the MLB press release about new "flexibility," but it's not defined. So it could be about anything.

• "Flexibility - the agreement institutionalizes an annual review process to allow the parties to respond to new developments."

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NY Times on it's usual misleading bender re the Yankees--Rhoden

From the Boston Globe, 7/5/06, column by Steve Bailey but not in the referenced NY Times article today, 3/3/08:

• "I'm required to disclose to you that The New York Times, which owns The Globe, is a part owner of the Red Sox."***********

I've learned not to depend on headlines in the George Mitchell Gazette (aka NY Times) and this was a good example: "Executives Must Answer for Steroids." Forget it--he doesn't mean it. The article ends up asking for executives from only 1 team--SURPRISE!--the Yankees.

• The point of the article is to burnish yet again the image of George Mitchell--who's apparently president of the world--and slap across the face anyone who has the temerity to say what everyone else says--but who happens to be a Yankee.

You see the Yankees must understand--they are subservient. They must shut up and send money. Period. (The Times owns part of the Red Sox and therefore has a connection with Mitchell).

• The media are united in solidarity in front of Mitchell and his so-called report. Let Hank say something like "everyone was doing it," and the Times wants Congress to go back on TV and get George Steinbrenner in there in a wheelchair or golf cart to answer for this apparent slur on the power broker and former tobacco lobbyist. (Even though the Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy praised Hank for not being "afraid" to address this issue).

Why doesn't the NY Times question how a private corporation was able to use the public federal government's resources on the one hand. And on the other, there are no public resources with which to query this private corporation and it's operations (ie Mitchell and Selig).

• It's unlikely a well known writer, especially one from the NY Times, is going to call for serious action against baseball executives and mean it anyway. After a few words about "these guys had to know," Kevin Towers, etc., the reporter's phone call with Bud Selig put an end to that thread. And the Times sure as heck isn't going to call for an investigation into the Paul Byrd situation. Or into the many names that could have been on the Televised Mitchell Report but weren't.

The article did highlight what it felt was a most promising development--MLB's meeting with Brian Sabean. What next the Times insists: Answer: The Yankees...blobs of names maybe or maybe not on those teams, but we're going to beat this to death. 2000 and 2001 teams. The Times trots out this media favorite--lumping names of guys who might've been a Yankee at some point in EITHER 2000 OR 2001 EVEN THOUGH an alleged verbal exchange or mail delivery or use did not occur in either 2000 or 2001.

• 4 of the 7 of names were cited for HGH not steroids, and 2 of those have denied the accusation (Stanton, while as a Met, and Justice after the 2000 World Series). To clarify, there would be no "steroids" to answer for in HGH cases.

Of the 7 Yankee names the NY Times comes up with in groundbreaking fashion, only one qualified for "2000 and 2001," which was Clemens. Only one qualified for 2001 which was Knoblauch. 3 were not cited in Radomski/McNamee or the Televised Mitchell Report until after they left the Yankees: Denny Neagle, Jason Grimsley, and Mike Stanton. That leaves 4 names.

• Clemens is the only name accused on both 2000 and 2001.

• Knoblauch was named for 2001 not 2000.

• **************************************

• 1. Clemens--Yes, a Radomski/McNamee name from 2000 and 2001.

• 2. Denny Neagle?-Sorry, NY Times, not while he was a Yankee. His canceled checks prove it.

• 3. Jason Grimsley?-Sorry, not til he was gone from the Yankees.

• 4. Andy Pettitte- Sorry, not in 2000 or 2001.

• 5. Chuck Knoblauch-Sorry, 2001 only.

• 6. Mike Stanton-Sorry, 2003 when a Met, and has denied receiving a "package."

• 7. David Justice-Sorry, the verbal reference has been denied re: HGH, was a one time thing for which there is no canceled check. Took place "after the 2000 World Series."

(I've posted documentation from the Mitchell Report several times on this blog about the above names).

• So for the 2 years cited, a grand total of 1 name came up for both years--Clemens. No other names for the year 2000. One name came up for 2001- Knoblauch.

For this haul of 2 names, the NY Times writer says:

• "How much did the Steinbrenners know?
• How much did Brian Cashman know?
• How much did Joe Torre know?"

Reference NY Times article by William C. Rhoden, "Executives Must Answer for Steroids," 3/2/08

• (The only people who care enough to do anything about articles like this would love to be sportswriters themselves so they keep quiet. That's my observation). sm

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Mitchell Report divided into 3 separate lists. List #1 presented worst: any Radomski/McNamee names listed as "steroids." Glaus lucky.

I wondered why Troy Glaus, World Series MVP and "named" a steroids purchaser, wasn't being hammered around the clock for his usage, and in the process I found this list on SportingNews.com from 12/13/07. First, it contains at least one lie and anyone claiming it's true should be sued.

• It presents the Mitchell Report in 3 groups:

• #1-The New York clubhouse/IRS investigator's list, which is referred to here as the "steroids" list.

• #2- "Alleged" internet purchasers, and,

• #3-Balco names.

Andy Pettitte is listed under the first list, "steroids" list--which is a lie. He has never been connected to steroids. (Among others, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch, and Mike Stanton haven't been connected to "steroids" and they're on this list).

• About Troy Glaus, WORLD SERIES MVP: His name finally appears, but not as a steroids user (which is something different from HGH). You have to go all the way down to the 2nd list, the "alleged internet" connected names....

Where is the call for the RETURN OF HIS TAINTED WORLD SERIES MVP TITLE? OR FOR THE REVOCATION OF THE ANGELS' WORLD SERIES TITLE?

• Glaus is given further grace, further LEGAL, HISTORIC, AND MEDIA distance from the report's 'PREFERRED' names ( the first list)--WHICH ARE THOSE FROM THE NOVITSKY/RADOMSKI/MCNAMEE INVESTIGATION. That's not my opinion--it's right here on the page from SportingNews.com.

Glaus's list JUST SAYS HE WAS CONNECTED TO "ALLEGED INTERNET PURCHASES OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING SUBSTANCES."

• NO MENTION OF STEROIDS FOR GLAUS. AND HE GETS THE BENEFIT OF THE WORD "ALLEGED."

DAYS BEFORE THE "MITCHELL REPORT" CAME OUT, GLAUS' STEROIDS OFFENSE WAS JUDGED TO BE "INSUFFICIENT" TO WARRANT PUNISHMENT. This followed a story in SI-- (9/7/07). SO GLAUS WAS GIVEN A PASS FOR A RELATIVELY EGREGIOUS OFFENSE COMPARED TO MANY OTHERS : (From 1/16/08 AP story by Jim Salter in USA Today): ****** "SI.com reported in September that the former World Series MVP received steroids from Signature Pharmacy between September 2003 and May 2004. On Dec. 6, (2007) Major League Baseball said it found insufficient evidence to discipline him."

• (While "others" became a global story as George Mitchell went on CNN and the others to build it. Last night, 2/21/07, I even saw a special on the National Geographic Channel about the so-called Mitchell report--with certain names and headlines highlighted).

• (You don't enter into a war unless you're sure you can win it. This list's creator and purveyors correctly decided they could say anything they want about a Yankee, minimize and marginalize certain others, and nothing bad would happen to them).

• (From SportingNews.com): "Here's a list of most of the names of Major League Baseball players listed in the Mitchell Report.

The following players were connected to steroids, either use or possession, in the report: (List #1)

Chad Allen

Mike Bell

Gary Bennett

Larry Bigbie

Ricky Bones

Kevin Brown

Ken Caminiti

Mark Carreon

Jason Christiansen

Howie Clark

Roger Clemens

Paxton Crawford

Jack Cust

Brendan Donnelly

Chris Donnels

Lenny Dykstra

Matt Franco

Ryan Franklin

Eric Gagne

Jason Grimsley

Jerry Hairston

Phil Hiatt

Matt Herges

Glenallen Hill

Todd Hundley

Wally Joyner

Ryan Jorgensen

Mike Judd

David Justice

Chuck Knoblauch

Tim Laker

Mike Lansing

Paul Lo Duca

Exavier "Nook" Logan

Josias Manzanillo

Cody McKay

Kent Mercker

Bart Miadich

Hal Morris

Daniel Naulty

Denny Neagle

Rafael Palmeiro

Jim Parque

Luis Perez

Andy Pettitte

Adam Piatt

Todd Pratt

Stephen Randolph

Adam Riggs

Brian Roberts

F.P. Santangelo

David Segui

Mike Stanton

Ricky Stone

Miguel Tejada

Derrick Turnbow

Mo Vaughn

Ron Villone

Fernando Vina

Rondell White

Jeff Williams

Todd Williams

Kevin Young

Gregg Zaun

The following players were cited under "Alleged Internet Purchases of Performance Enhancing Substances By Players in Major League Baseball." (LIST #2)

Rick Ankiel

David Bell

Paul Byrd

Jose Canseco

Jay Gibbons

Troy Glaus

Jose Guillen

Darren Holmes

Gary Matthews Jr.

John Rocker

Scott Schoeneweis

Ismael Valdez

Matt Williams

Steve Woodard

The following players were linked through BALCO: (#3)

Marvin Benard

Barry Bonds

Bobby Estalella

Jason Giambi

Jeremy Giambi

Armando Rios

Benito Santiago

Gary Sheffield

Randy Velarde

• List from SportingNews.com, 12/13/07

ESPN article, 12/14/07 reflects the same offhandedness about people like Glaus. Without fear of contradiction by the truth.

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Mike Francesa is a disgrace along with Jon Heyman, Chris Russo, David Cone, Bob Nightengale, & Charley Steiner

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES LIKE JON HEYMAN AREN'T QUITE IN THE POSITION TO BE MORAL ARBITERS, TO JUDGE TRUTH OR FALSEHOOD. YET WFAN LISTENERS PERMIT THIS TO BE THE CASE.

• Bob Nightengale said Andy Pettitte was a liar on XM and Charley Steiner didn't object earlier this week. Nightengale doesn't say what he thinks Andy "lied" about--but XM lets him and others defame Yankee players without explanation or consequence.

• Jon Heyman sees how well this works and throws it out on WFAN Thursday afternoon, ie Andy Pettitte "did lie" to the LA Times. Mike Francesa says nothing, lets this stand.

• Also this week, Chris Russo on WFAN lied and said Andy Pettitte had taken steroids and David Cone didn't correct him, allowing the slander to stand.

Heyman of all things bringing up the LA Times which recently lamely apologized itself for lying about Andy Pettitte among others, having said his name was one of those on Grimsley's list that had been blacked out.

• This lie by the LA Times went on for a year and was used to defame Andy Pettitte, printed and repeated countless times around the world, and the whole time it was a lie:Posted on this blog 12/27/08:

"Funny how timing works--if the false claims in the LA Times' front page story had been revealed only a few days earlier, they would have weakened the so-called Mitchell Report. Mitchell happily creates a link between the (fake) LA Times story and the court of public opinion as another reason for Andy Pettitte to lose his career.

• (By the way, once again Paul Byrd's name is miraculously out of the limelight. How nice for him).

Fascinating--the LA Times had continually requested the affadavit revealing the truth to be unsealed, but "spokespersons" declined to elaborate on the hold-up, waiting until after Mitchell had triumphantly left the stage. Judge Voss, presiding over the unsealing, himself adamantly refused to let the truth come out until AFTER George Mitchell took the stage. Disingenuous of him to sputter about it now, later in this post.

• The so-called front page correction loses the casual reader with a confusing jumbled opening quietly getting to a correction--its purpose--in the third paragraph:

LA Times:"Former major league pitcher Jason Grimsley accused baseball players Jose Canseco, Lenny Dykstra, Glenallen Hill and Geronimo Berroa of using steroids, according to a federal affidavit that was unsealed Thursday, 18 months after the document was first released with players' names blacked out.

• Grimsley, a reliever who last pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, also named Chuck Knoblauch as a human growth hormone user, and accused former teammates David Segui and Allen Watson of using performance-enhancing drugs.
• The unsealed affidavit contradicts a story The Times published Oct. 1, 2006. Citing anonymous sources, including a Grimsley confidant and an individual "with authorized access to [the] unredacted affidavit," The Times' story said Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Brian Roberts, Jay Gibbons, Miguel Tejada and Segui and strength coach Brian McNamee were named in the document. In fact, Clemens, Pettitte, Gibbons and Roberts were not named.
• Also, The Times' report said Grimsley alleged that Tejada used anabolic steroids. The only mention of Tejada in the affidavit was a conversation he had with teammates about baseball's ban on amphetamines."

• NAME OR NAMES OF THE PERSON WHO REPORTED THIS FALSEHOOD AND HIS BOSS WHO APPROVED IT. NEED THOSE. (sm)

LA Times correction article: "The day after the story ran, Kevin Ryan, then the U.S. attorney in San Francisco, said it contained "significant inaccuracies." LATimes: "The Times made repeated attempts, including earlier this week, to have the government clarify what the inaccuracies were, but spokespersons for the U.S. attorney's office in San Francisco declined to elaborate."

• ON GEORGE MITCHELL'S USE of the FALSE STORY TO BACK UP HIS CLAIMS:

• Judge Voss who presided over the unsealing NOTED THIS:
• LA TIMES: "The [Times] article trumpets the success . . . in ending the 'months of speculation' surrounding which major league ballplayers Jason Grimsley named. . . . A review . . . proves that The Times never saw the unredacted affidavit. . . . At best, the article is an example of irresponsible reporting. At worst, the 'facts' reported were simply manufactured." Voss added:
• "Unfortunately, The Times' article still has legs," a reference to its mention in last week's 409-page report by former Sen. George Mitchell on performance-enhancing drug use in Major League Baseball."

From the LA Times "Baseball Affadavit is UnSealed," by Lance Pugmire, 12/21/07

• THANKS A BUNCH JON HEYMAN FOR YOUR 'CONTROVERSIAL' SO-CALLED REPORTING. PERHAPS YOU'LL GET THE BIG JOB AT ESPN NOW. YOU TOO FRANCESA, RUSSO, CONE, NIGHTENGALE AND STEINER. (sm)

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