Many factors stall Mitchell’s probe
While the federal government ramps up its investigation of baseball’s ugly drug mess by playing hardball with the likes of Jason Grimsley, a separate, independent investigation led by former Sen. George J. Mitchell is running into serious roadblocks that threaten to undermine any chance of uncovering the scope of the scandal this year.
Reluctant witnesses and a hard-line stand by the players’ union are seriously hampering Mitchell, who was hired in March by commissioner Bud Selig to conduct a comprehensive investigation for Major League Baseball.
Mitchell’s problems are caused, in part, because he lacks any real powers, unlike the last time baseball had a scandal anywhere close to this ugly.
“I know what an independent investigator would do. I did it in the Rose case,” said John Dowd, the Washington attorney who headed the 1989 investigation that led to a lifetime ban against Pete Rose for betting on games.
“I’d just call (Barry) Bonds in and ask him what the truth is. He won’t answer the questions and when he doesn’t you have to sit him down and say you’re not playing baseball until you either answer my question or I get the truth. I mean, why is this guy on the field?”
Dowd’s words might sound appealing. But the reality is the world is a different place than it was in 1989.
For one thing, the MLB Players Association is infinitely stronger. For another, Dowd was investigating one man accused of doing one thing wrong.
Mitchell and his team are charged with uncovering a decade’s worth of wrongdoing involving a confusing array of long-named illicit drugs and dozens, more likely hundreds, of guilty souls.
“Mitchell is being stiffed by the union,” said Dowd. “They’re not going to help him at all. They won’t cooperate. They’re going to fight everything.”
Mitchell sent his own letter to Bonds’ attorney last month asking to meet with the slugger and saying he would like certain documents. No word yet about any progress on that front.
“Mitchell … I tried to warn him,” Dowd said. “He’s just the wrong guy for the job. He’s a compromiser. He’s a politician.
“You can’t have a politician in that job. There is no compromising when it comes to the integrity of the game.”
Mitchell declined to comment and said through a fellow partner at his law firm, DLA Piper Rudnik Gray Cary, that he had no estimate when his report would be ready.
Clearing the bases
Jason Grimsley plans to fight the Arizona Diamondbacks’ decision to withhold the remainder of his $825,000 salary. … Barry Bonds missed his fourth straight game with a sore left side and most likely won’t play until San Francisco goes on the road next week. … Philadelphia catcher Mike Lieberthal was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip. Right-hander Brian Sanches was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace him on the roster. … Washington outfielder Jose Guillen was activated off the DL after being sidelined with a strained right hamstring. The Nationals optioned outfielder Mike Vento to Triple-A New Orleans. … The Kansas City Royals optioned right-hander Leo Nunez to Triple-A Omaha to make room on the roster for pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, claimed off waivers from Florida on Friday. … The Milwaukee Brewers recalled RHP Carlos Villanueva from Double-A Huntsville and placed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa on the 15-day DL with a blister on the middle finger of his left hand. … The Boston Red Sox recalled left-hander Jon Lester from Pawtucket and optioned RHP Craig Hansen to Triple-A.