RINGOLSBY: MitchellReport has upside

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, December 21, 2007

Once the court of public opinion takes a deep breath and realizes the Mitchell Report is a he-said, she-said document, there is some value that can be taken from it.

No, commissioner Bud Selig can't suddenly start handing out suspensions, given the lack of legal verification of Mitchell's accusations. Few, if any, newspapers would have allowed reporters to write what is contained in the Mitchell Report because editors would have questioned the strength of the sources.

Yes, baseball can wake up - just like football needs to wake up - and get even more serious in its effort to eliminate performance- enhancing drugs that create long-term risks for the user.

Just as important, however, the media and the public must realize that what the Mitchell Report showed as much as anything is the range of athlete who is involved with the drugs.

This isn't some secret potion that allows a handful of hitters to excel; pitchers are every bit as involved as hitters in looking for help.

And this isn't some hidden pick-me-up that creates instant superstars. Journeymen, even more so than superstars, fall victim to the quest to find a magical potion that will enable them to overachieve.

What comes screaming out of the Mitchell Report is the widespread usage of performance-enhancing drugs - he listed 87 names and didn't even have any help from the players or legal bodies - and that simply using the substances doesn't ensure a player success on the field.

What seems evident is that great athletes evolve and are not created in laboratories.

Pete Rose's outrage was humorous. He wants all records established by steroid users to be wiped out. Wonder if he feels just as strongly about those who used amphetamines?

Steroids and HGH are the bane of the current professional athlete, but it's not like the modern-day athlete is the first to look for an edge in the quest for greatness.

Overheard

* Seattle agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva but still wants another starting pitcher and appears to be battling Cincinnati in trade talks with Baltimore about left-hander Erik Bedard.

* Boston remains the expected destination for Minnesota lefty Johan Santana. The two teams have agreed on three of four players the Red Sox will give up - Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson. The Red Sox, refusing Minnesota's request for Jacoby Ellsbury, are adamant the fourth player be outfielder Coco Crisp.

Readers' turn

Chad Perlov writes from New York, "Curious as to whether the Rockies have considered a trade built around a Garrett Atkins-for-Chone Figgins swap. Angels need a young, big bat at third and have no other spot in the lineup for Figgins. The Rockies could plug Ian Stewart at third, Figgins at second and mix in Jayson Nix as well by pushing Figgins to third at times. Figgins is one of the better all-around infielders in baseball, plays solid defense, can steal bases and is a very good hitter in the No. 2 spot. I understand that contracts for both are an issue and that additional prospects may need to be involved, but it would seem too logical for the Rockies to not have asked. A lineup of Taveras, Figgins, Holliday, Helton, Tulowitzki, Hawpe, Stewart, Torrealba/Iannetta would look pretty good."

Chad, you sure know how to bring back bad memories. You do remember, don't you, that Figgins was originally signed by the Rockies, and then dealt to the Angels for outfielder Kimera Bartee, who is now a minor league instructor with Pittsburgh? The key to this is, the Rockies don't seem interested in moving Atkins. The belief is that Stewart can benefit from a return to Triple-A Colorado Springs and have a chance to have a dominating season. And with the uncertainty about Holliday's long-term situation, Atkins could fit in the Rockies' plans even when Stewart arrives. None of that is a knock on Figgins. The other thing to consider is, with the young players in the Rockies system getting ready to make the move to the big leagues, my hunch is any major trade they eventually make will involve Colorado receiving a package heavy in top-of-the-line prospects.

For responses to other questions or to ask your own question, check out the Rockies Inbox at Rocky MountainNews.com/sports.

Two cents' worth

Funny how there is a sudden cry among some members of the media for Roger Clemens to prove himself innocent. So much for that legal assumption of innocence until proven guilty.

That is the black mark on the Mitchell Report. Without having legal proof, Mitchell instantly sullied the reputation of every person mentioned because of the insinuation of guilt.

In politics, such an expose would be referred to as McCarthyism. In sports, however, it is accepted as gospel.

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

NUMBERS GAME

123 eighth-inning runs allowed by Cincinnati last season, most in the majors and a key reason the Reds signed free-agent closer Francisco Cordero. That allows David Weathers, who had 33 saves last season, to assume the eighth-inning role for which he is better suited.

WHO'S ON THIRD?

Milwaukee continues to keep an eye on Texas third baseman Hank Blalock and St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen. The Brewers hope to eventually work a trade that would enable Ryan Braun, the National League Rookie of the Year, to move to left field, where he would do less damage defensively.

HE SAID IT

"There will be a lot of expectations from everybody, but I look forward to meeting the expectations and I look forward to having fun."

Kosuke Fukudome, outfielder, on the pressures he faces in leaving Japan to play for the Chicago Cubs.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* The Rockies' biggest concern in bringing in a veteran such as Todd Walker or Marcus Giles as insurance at second base is trying to ensure rookie Jayson Nix gets a legitimate opportunity to win the job. Too often, teams will give up on a young player who is struggling if they believe they have a veteran alternative.

Last season, Troy Tulowitzki benefited from being allowed to play himself out of an early offensive slump. Catcher Chris Iannetta wasn't afforded that opportunity.

* The Rockies signed three Latin players - shortstops Jose Soto of the Dominican Republic and Gabriel Reyes of Venezuela and right-handed pitcher Albert Campos of Venezuela. They each are 16 and will begin their pro careers with the Rockies' team in the Dominican Summer League.

* Former Heritage High School right-hander Nate Field has signed a minor league contract with Florida. Field appeared in 14 games with the Rockies in 2006, spending the bulk of that season with Triple-A Colorado Springs. . . . Chin-hui Tsao, a former Rockies pitching prospect, is out after a year with the Dodgers. He refused a minor league assignment and became a minor league free agent. . . . Right-hander Adam Bernero, who pitched for the Rockies in 2003 and 2004 after being acquired from Detroit for catcher Ben Petrick, has signed a minor league deal with Pittsburgh.

* Troy Buckley, who resigned as pitching coach at Long Beach State to become minor league pitching coordinator for the Pirates, was the 49ers assistant who persuaded Tulowitzki to choose Long Beach State instead of Cal State Fullerton. Both schools made strong pushes for Tulowitzki out of high school.

• December 22, 2007

  8:45 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BirdonaWire writes:

  We can't get rid of Atkins until Holliday's future is determined. If he decides to listen to satan..errrr.. Boras, he'll probably leave. In that case, we need to trade him. We'll need that big righthanded bat Atkins provides. I'd like to see them get some catching help and a versatile centerfielder with a bit of power.