MLB 'Roid Rage

(Newser) - George Mitchell’s long-awaited report on steroids in baseball dropped today, and it blamed both players and management for what it said could be the sport's biggest challenge since the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Every club had a player involved; Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Miguel Tejada were among inclusions. The ex-senator's report found some players had warning from higher-ups about tests. More »

(Newser) - Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are among the 50 or so baseball players named in George Mitchell's much-anticipated report on steroids in Major League Baseball, ESPN reports. A Yankees strength trainer told investigators, whose report is due today, that the two pitchers were among players he supplied with steroids, a source tells ESPN . "Several" prominent Yankees will be named, reports the Bergen Record, citing a baseball official. More »

(Newser) - George Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball will list more than 50 names, the New York Times reports. An insider who has read the closely guarded report revealed that it will also take swings at the commissioner's office and the players' association for putting up with drugs in the game for years. More »

(Newser) - George Mitchell is poised to release his long-awaited report on steroid use in baseball—but many of those interviewed by his investigators have serious doubts it will solve anything, reports ESPN's Howard Bryant. Players, trainers and managers say the 20-month investigation has been hamstrung by tension between owners and the players' union, Mitchell's lack of understanding of baseball culture, and his professional ties to MLB. More »

(Newser) - Major League Baseball is finally in possession of the much-anticipated steroid report produced by George Mitchell, 21 months after the former senator was commissioned to investigate the use of performing-enhancing drugs in the pro game. Baseball officials are expected to review the document for 48 hours before it is released on Thursday, reports the New York Daily News . More »

(Newser) - Ex-first baseman David Segui preempted the Mitchell Report yesterday by announcing that he had dabbled in steroids during his playing days, reports the Baltimore Sun . Segui, whose 15-year MLB career began and ended with the Baltimore Orioles, refused to rat out the other users he knew of through contacts with his supplier, former Mets employee Kirk Radomski. More »

(Newser) - Baseball legend Barry Bonds pleaded "not guilty" today to four counts of perjury and an obstruction of justice in US District Court, the AP reports. After a brief session, the judge released Bonds without bail money and vetoed the government's request to have his passport seized. The baseball celebrity left the courthouse to chants of "Barry, Barry" from a small group of fans. More »

(Newser) - Barry Bonds is set to appear in federal court today to face charges of perjury for allegedly lying under oath about knowingly taking steroids. Because the brief hearing at the Federal Building in San Francisco will be Bonds' first public appearance following his indictment, it's expected to draw hundreds of journalists. To minimize disruption, two judges will be brought to Bonds, rather than having the slugger appear in two different courtrooms. More »

(Newser) - HBO is planning a movie about the recently indicted Barry Bonds, to be written and directed by Ron Shelton—the man responsible for Bull Durham, Tin Cup, and White Man Can't Jump. HBO has acquired the rights to the nonfiction book Game of Shadows , which detailed the unfolding scandal over Bonds and performance-enhancing drugs. More »

(Newser) - Barry Bonds undoubtedly lied through his teeth when he denied all things steroid in front of a grand jury, writes New York Sun columnist Tim Marchman, but the charges against him are nevertheless "absurd." The case hinges on proving that Bonds knowingly took the drugs and talked about it with trainer Greg Anderson. With both denying the charges, argues Marchman, that will be next to impossible to prove. More »