OMG..you do know the paragraphs regarding Roberts in the report are a joke right..? Its all hearsay..and it wouldn't convict him in a criminal trial much less this..

Your first point is completely off base..

And should we acquire Roberts, DeRosa should start at SS..

A few thoughts....

* I really thought the Mitchell report was...BORING

* How about the Asian Sensation?

That a boy Hubert. You're posting at 2:34am, and already knocking a prior poster.

You're a real gem to this site audience.

MLBTradeRumors indicate that the Cubs may be interested in closer Joe Nathan. Now that would be interesting. And the Astros are pursuing Prior...would hate to see him wind up in our own division.

Rather than placing priority 1A at 2B, I agree with many posts from yesterday that we should place next stage emphasis on another quality starter. I personally like the recommendation of an AJ Burnett. Quality guy, and I would hope that we could negotiate more fairly with a Toronto than what McPhail would fleece us for for Bedard. We need a second hard-throwing arm. I'd love a rotation of Z, Lilly, Burnett, Hill and Marshall/Gallagher.

Lastly, can we pawn Marquis already to New York for their top Cracker Jack vendor?

Hubert,

This is not a court of law. This is a court of reality. Roberts is guilty.

Does this mean that I wouldn't want him on the Cubs? I am sure some current Cubs used the stuff in their past too. If he, and they, are clean now and can help us win, then I'm fine with it.

First off,
"Hubie," Dude, get some sleep. You are a very unhappy man.

I'm not sure I understand the interest in Nathan unless JH has some three way he's crafting. Howry, Wood and Marmol, not necessarily in that order. Perhaps Marmol will be thrown in a deal to get Bedard along with Roberts?

I am tired of the whole steroid thing. I think a Sports Reporter I saw last night on Jim Rome's show said it best when he remarked that we leave all the records where they are. No astrices, just a written statement by all named about what the era of baseball was like during that said HOFs career. PERIOD!! Get off and get on with the game.

Brian, your articles kick a** Bro.

Chad,

Roberts is not guilty. Period. If the M report is 100% true, which is very, very debateable, then at most he used roids a couple of times. And that based on the testimony, not taken in a court of law where perjury could levied against him, of a guy with his back to the wall, who is tossing out random names. If under your premise he is guilty then I'm a pothead, alcholic, etc, and so is everybody who ever tried anything. People make mistakes, don't hang the guy over a mistake he allegedly made as a rookie.

Brian, more great ramblings.

Jim/Brian, love both the nicknames, gonna have to think about this one.

Barry - speaking of Jim Rome, have you ever heard Frank Caliendo's (SP) impression, it is priceless.

Ryan,

I said I think he is guilty of using. I even said I wouldn't mind him on my team. I didn't say he was a habitual user.

How can you say it is possible that he used 'roids a couple of times, but is not guilty?

If you have drank alcohol, then you are guilty of drinking alcohol. It doesn't make you a drunk in any way; and using 'roids once doesn't make Roberts guilty of ruining the game, but it does make him guilty of usung 'roids.

Tejada; testosterone connection, offered for trade. Roberts; steroid connection, offered for trade. Bedard;________,offerred for trade. What does it say to your fans and team if you target Roberts. Why is Bedard on the block? The Twins housecleaning seems cleaner imo and Nathan if healthy and not too dear gets th Cubs a reliable closer that Pinellla covets and sets up a trade for a starter or good bat.

What is Wade doing in Houston??? Unless the Stros are going to sign Bedard Santana or Haren it might get ugly there for some time. The Jennings trade really hurt them

Chad,

I am just basing my opinion on the fact that I think the report is BS. Unless there is some film, or receipts with his name on them, then he's not guilty. I guess what I was trying to say is that if someone says you used something, and you refute it then your not guilty, regardless of the opinion of the public, until you are proven guilty.

Everybody on TV is at the least calling this report badly done.

Nicknames:
Far East Beast or Beast from the East
Rice-a-dome or Rice-K (personal favorite)
Jim, Asian Sensation sounds like something you buy at the drugstore....jk

Jim,

Asian Sensation is great, but for me it sounds to similar to Asian Persuasion and I do not want to compare The Orient Express to women.

The Mitchell report was not done well, but it has as much to do with a lack of cooperation as it does with poor investigation. When no one will talk and you are forced to publish something then this is the product you get.

Here's what Jayson Stark (ESPN) just said in his chat about Brian Roberts:

"the Brian Roberts "evidence" is so flimsy, so disgraceful actually, that it wouldn't stop the Cubs from pursuing him."

I agree.

Nathanael - I would still rather have Figgins over Roberts if it was the same cost. And from what I have heard and read the Orioles value their players quite high so if I was the GM and could give up less to get Figgins who is:

-few months younger
-also a switch-hitter
-has greater versatility (1B and Catcher only positions not played since '03)
-eliminate any controversy
-same great speed
-had a OBP of .415 and .423 out of the leadoff spot and 2 hole respectively last year (WOW)

I would do it.

ULTIMATELY... I would be happy with either one though.

Cliff,

I agree with you that Figgins would be better than Roberts, but I think the Angels want even more for him than the O's want for Roberts. Last I heard, they wanted ARam for him ... obviously a non-starter.

I actually think the Cubs will lay low for awhile until teams start to reduce their trade demands. The price of available players like Santana, Nathan, Haren, Blanton, Roberts, Bedard, etc... is extremely high right now. JH got his main target in Fuk and now he'll be patient in trying to find the right deal.

I'm pretty sure most of the major leaguers cheated in some way during this time period, even just once or twice to try it out. That wouldn't stop me from pursuing Roberts because I don't think he was a habitual user and therefore I thin his stats are still going to be at a high level without any drugs.

Here's something interesting...Ronny Cedeno, who is batting .324 right now in Venezuela, has been playing SS and center field. Center field? Can Cedeno really pull that off?

Bullet Points: The M Report isn't B.S. It's a sad commentary on our game--limited by the inablility to really go after the truth. Except for the big names who have detracted from the greatness of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Greg Maddox and others, we fans will show regard for players who seem clean and perform going ahead. It's a question of mind over matter, sports fans. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

Point two: Bryan is an agreeable person. He agrees with me. Try to get A.J. Burnett. The Cubs and Jays can meet some of each others needs. They need lefty starters and some relief. We need another stud righthander.

Point three: It would be great if Z does find a diet that works. To win 20, not lose 13 and not break down he needs to be in better shape.

Point four: My entry for KOH-skay's nickname is the Japanese word for warrior--Musha. I can hear a chant of Moo Sha, Moo Sha. It could be Mighty Warrior by adding Tsuyoi, (Sue Yee, I think.) "Sue Yee Moo Sha" would ring out, and it does makes us all bi-lingual.

Real player greatness is the mark of the baller who holds the record for the longest complete game victory in World Series history. He gave up a run in the first and then pitched a shutout for 13 more innings. A 14 inning 2-1 victory. Who was that great pitcher? JimK

Love the Moo Sha nickname. Thoug he'll probaby just end up Kohs-K like Dice-K.

Everyone's opinion matters on the M Report. If you want to read an exceptional sports writer's opinion, Google the New York Daily News and read today's Mike Lupica's column. I think it is an outstanding report. Speaking of baller greatness, the outstanding pitcher asked about in my entry (above) was Mr. and Mrs. Ruth's little boy--who won 98 games before he decided he wanted to play everyday. JimK

JimK,

I studied Japanese for 4 years in college, stayed in Japan for 3 months, and follow Japanese baseball (amateur and pro) on TV and on their local paper.

I can tell you that Tsuyoi reads more along the line of "Tch-yo-ea".

A good chanting for Kosuke might be "One" (his number). Everytime he bats, we repeat "One", then it will sound like a dog barking, and it will scare those pitchers who are easy-bait under The One's Bite.

;-)

Dorasaga, I love the chant, I thinks its funny and could be intimidating at the same time. As for the M-Report, I'm just glad to see names like Maddux, Griffey, Rodriquez, Ripken, Grace, and such werent listed, which still gives me hope.

I don't care about any allegations about Roberts. Sure there is evidence of him buying HGH/Steroids, but the fact is, is that is was several years ago, and he said he only did it two or three times. This doesnt bother me as much as the other players who were either more recent or used it more often. He wont get punished, and we need him!

Im gonna call him K-Dome (Khay-Dome-ay). It probably still needs some work, but I dont want him to be called "Kohs-K." Too much like Dice-K. I just cant wait to hear the chants of "Kosuke! Kosuke! Kosuke!" And a lot of people calling him "Koh-su-kay" lol.

I think the nickname and chant that will undeniably catch on is "FUK"... pronounced like "Duke"... similar to all the other sports chants like "moose" or "alou" or "luke" which ultimately just sounds like booing. Maybe nobody has stated this because it is obvious, I don't know. I can already here Len Kasper (captian obvious) telling the TV audience that they are not "booing" but instead yelling FUK.

Side note... I used to live in Uptown and could hear the ALOU chants all the way up there. It was awesome.

Dorasaga...Thanks for the help on Tsuyoi--which I now know won't work. But Musha should have a chance. Moo Sha would give Len a chance to talk about the Warrior from a far away land. Help me understand how repeating "One" sounds like a dog barking. JimK

Here's a few statements - I for one think everyone's being insane about this.

Statement #1 -

In response to "When Brian Roberts hit 12 homers in the first 30 games a few seasons ago I knew he was cheating"

Well personally when Tuffy Rhodes hit 3 HRs on opening day I just KNEW he was cheating - I KNEW it

((sigh))

Increased performance dose NOT - repeat NOT - indicate someone is cheating. COULD it mean somethings up?? Of course it could. I'll grant that. But 12 HRs over a 30 game stretch could easily just indicate a hot streak pure and simple. Looking back years later after some player said another player told him (which is heresy by the way) that he did it once or twice... and then tying it to a 30 game performance stretch... 20/20 hindsight is always easy and is sometimes a very dangerous thing.

Statement #2:

In response to "Tejada; testosterone connection, offered for trade. Roberts; steroid connection, offered for trade. Bedard;________,offerred for trade."

First - The Orioles trading Tejada, Roberts, and Bedard does NOT mean that they're trying to jettison all of their known "cheaters" - it means their team is rebuilding and they are leveraging the only three decent players they have. The only other players of any obove average ability (such as Markakis) are just the kind of guys they can build around - young and cheap.

And please... associating Bedard with these two as a possible cheater...

...that's an even more irresponsible statement that those in the report. Guilt by organizational association?

Please. Stop.

There have been debates in the press and elsewhere that the report is going to ruin the game.

Statements like that make me wonder if it's not true.

Now it seems like every player that does well in the next 20 years will have some guy out there saying he HAS to be cheating - he just HAS to be - couldn't be God given ability or hours upon hours in the weight room or years upon years of devotion to a particular obsession - in this case baseball. I can't even imagine the drive that some of these guys have and the time they put in.

But....

Nope - it HAS to be cheating.

((sigh again))

Did some - or even a lot - of players take performance enhancers? Undoubtedly. And just like pot or any other drug there will be some that love the way it feels and become habitual, and there are some that try it once or twice just to see what the big deal is about.

PLEASE though - please please please please PLEASE - let's just all take this report for what it is - 400 pages of accusation and heresy without any actual physical evidence or admissions from any of the players implicated.

Any of the statements by former player in the report could be looked at as "what would he have to gain by making something up?" but then again - these guys are out of the game, working normal jobs, and with the release of the report are now minor celebrities on every sports talk show getting more attention than they ever did as players.

When someone makes an admission or when there's evidence (Balco, UPS receipts, fake doctor scripts, multiple credible witnesses, etc etc etc) then OK - but the "court of public opinion" is something that bugs me and I try to avoid at all costs.

It's the last I'm going to say on the subject because I'm generally a positive guy and I watch baseball and the Cubs specifically because I enjoy watching the athletes do their thing and the strategy and the day at the ballpark and the whole shebang. I'm going to try to stay positive from this point forward...

...but this whole thing is making me sick.

The saddest part of the whole steriod issue is that 10-20 from now, we're going to see a lot of steroid related cancer victims among today's professional athletes. After all, one of the reasons, steroids are illegal is the significant health hazards they pose to users. At that point, we may see a number of confessions, regrets, naming names, and apologies.

I do understand those players that did use 'roids and HGH during the '90's. There were no rules against it, management knew about it and really promoted its use by their non-action, and most players was using it. (Caminiti estimated at least 50% and a few players have suggested it was more.)

I do not know if Roberts, Clemens, or even Bonds (except for the "clear") used steroids. But with the culture the way it was I almost assume guilt from everyone. That is why the players that didn't use should have put up a bigger stink for testing at the time. They were put into a competitive disadvantage and they are suspected cheaters by association. I'm not saying they should have narced on the users, but just demand testing to level the playing field.

My line of demarcation is when Congress forced baseball and the PA to crackdown on PED's and mandate testing. Anyone who has cheated since then is a dirtbag. Those that cheated before it was discouraged gets a pass from me.

So when Roberts is even whispered about, which he was long before the MR, then I assume guilt by association. Fair or unfair, that's the way it is with players prior to the testing. Robert's alleged use was prior to testing anyway, so I have no problem with him.

I do not feel sorry for the players that may have been implicated unfairly. They didn't use, but hearsay and circumstantial evidence may look bad. But they chose not to demand testing in the 1990's when at least half of them were using. They should have known that these untrue implications was a major risk of their inaction.

We all knew they were doing roids, and no one including myself can deny that. We didn't care because they were hitting homeruns and bringing entertainment to a sport that whas on the brink post strike.
I don't think any of us who watched sammy double in size overnight, and then become the incredible shrinking man with acne should be righteous about anyone who did roids in baseball.
Is it wrong probably, but if it was your only ticket into the majors and the only way you could stay there, you might have made the same choices.
If no one cared about the homeruns, then the roids would havd been an unneccessary risk, but the fans demanded the excitement of the long-ball.

IMO the fans (including myself) are just as guilty as the players. To say we didn't know is as ridiculous as Sammy denying he spoke English at a congressional hearing.

Wow! Can you imagine how shitty Jerry Harriston would have been without the roids? My God. LOL

I believe we should nickname Fukudome "Fu" Its easy and respectful

This will sound parental, but it's an honest attempt to speak truth. Fans are not as guilty as players and owners (who, collectively, are the most guilty). Players and owners have abused the integrity of the game for many reasons that can mostly be categorized as selfishness and greed.

At some point on the slippery slide of dishonesty, it does matter how you play the game--as Mr. Rice said. What we have now, is an opportunity to restore a lot of integrity to the game through blood testing (not now permitted by the labor agreement) and other testing advances and by severe punishment for all but minimal violations. And most of the severe punishment should go to future violations because the era past made punishment unlikely and thereby encouraged violatons.

Those who choose to discredit the Mitchell Report, as if there is no evidence upon which a long serving and never compromised statesman (as to integrity) builds the case of widespread abuse, are choosing denial and/or an "if not caught, not guilty" stance. There is reason for venting but not on Mitchell.

When the court of public opinion judges and discredits likely users of performance enhancing drugs--banned or once not banned but now that are prohibited--it is imperfect justice to be sure. But it is the sort of justice that fills the vacuum where no other justice is permitted to take place by the players and the owners. And it is better than no justice at all.

It is now time, in fact past time, for the owners and players to remember that their golden goose belongs to us too. Through our abiding interest, our purchase of tickets and the products of game sponsors, we have made them rich, and they have given us a tainted product that could someday resemble "professional" wrestling. I'm not talking some perfect system here, but I am demanding one that is a hell of lot better than the current one. And the players and owners better get that point. JimK

JimK,

I agree with you. We need to make sure that the owners who rip off both the players AND the ordinary fans should be punished, too. I doubt Bud Selig would do this, 'cuz he leans towards the owners' interests (He was an owner of the Brewers after all).

The ballclub needs to maintain team discipline and carry out preventive methods so that trainers and ballclub personnels won't give players access to 'roids. And it's simple to keep clubs working for the wellness of baseball: Punishment.

For every player tested positive for using 'roid(s), MLB will fine the club who owns the player for 0.01% of its revenue -- this will be fair to all clubs, with market big or small.

Then, the money collected should be used solely within a fund that is dedicated to nothing else but improve drug test and promotional activities targetting young players (including kids and MiLB) to play with health and drug-free.

I have one last thing about Roberts: 'roids might give him muscle strength, but his SLG (slugging average) had not grown outrageously or even consistently since the "suggestive" year of him try the 'roid (2003). Contrarily, Roberts' BB/SO (walk-to-strikeout ratio) had improved consistently. 'Roids won't help plate discipline, and Roberts should still perform for the Cubs.

By the way, about the Fukudome chant: The English pronunciation of "one" sounds exactly like the Japanese word for dog barking (wan wan ). In fact, in Japan they have a generic nickname for our canine friend-- Wan-chan.