George Mitchell Says Cancer Will Not Affect Investigation

Mitchell (l) Says Cancer Will Not Affect MLB Steroid Probe

RIGHT FOCUS? In N.Y., Harvey Araton wondered if Mitchell’s investigation is all about “protecting records? If it is, then the pending report will not be an honest accounting of baseball’s implicit acceptance” of performance-enhancing substances. It will be a “celebrity witch hunt, a few famous heads for [MLB Commissioner Bud Selig] to mount on his wall.” Araton: “My guess, my hope, is that Mitchell understands that the essence of his work has been to examine the core issues of a bastardized culture, explain how baseball as an industry injected itself with the belief that steroids -- like peanuts and Cracker Jack -- were staples of the sport” (N.Y. TIMES, 8/12).

WELLS RUNS DRY: In Boston, Nick Cafardo wondered if P David Wells’ “outward defiance” of Selig and MLB VP/On-Field Operations Bob Watson contributed to his release by the Padres.  After Wells was suspended and fined for swearing and spitting at an umpire on July 7, he “defied Selig by posting the disciplinary letter he had received on the wall near his locker -- though the letter specifically stated he was not to share it with anyone.” He “invited reporters to read the letter and copy the information” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/12).

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