George Mitchell Issues Delay Statement In MLB Steroid Query

George Mitchell (l) Says Lack Of Power To Order Testimony Slowing Steroid Probe

Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell said that his probe into steroid use in baseball “has been delayed because he lacks power to order testimony,” according to Ronald Blum of the AP. Mitchell in a statement said, “From the outset I believed that the absence of such power would significantly increase the amount of time necessary to complete the investigation, and it has.” Blum noted while team officials have testified, Mitchell “can’t order any of the unionized players to cooperate,” and none “is known to have testified.” Mitchell: “Cooperation has been good from many of those from whom we have sought testimony and documents, but has been less than good from some others. This will not affect the result of the investigation, but it has increased the length of time it will take me to complete the investigation” (AP, 12/1). Mitchell “has repeatedly declined to offer a timetable for when the investigation might be finished” (N.Y. TIMES, 12/2).

WHERE DOES IT GO FROM HERE? In N.Y., Selena Roberts notes Mitchell has not asked MLB Commissioner Bud Selig “for help in cracking the union’s secret society, yet.” Selig: “If we could get definitive answers, it would help. ... What happened during X period of years.” Roberts writes Mitchell “needs subpoena power he’ll never have. ... For players to ignore Mitchell is to dismiss what is truly in their best interest: closure” (N.Y. TIMES, 12/3).