The Mitchell Report Worked

It was a witch hunt. Too much hearsay. Nothing would change. Yep, the naysayers were on the front line when the Mitchell Report came out, quick to dismiss what it had to say and to blast Bud Selig. After all, it was pointless, right? It's starting to look like a success to me.

We have Andy Pettitte to thank for that. His admitting to using HGH changed everything. When he washed the blood from his hands, players starting to get in line behind him, wanting to not to clear their name but to save their dignity. Since most of these fellows took the drug while it was still legal, the only stigma around them now is the burden of bad choices. The only ones with anything to lose are the liars.

Roger Clemens, where art thou? Ah, the Rocket has more to lose than his pinstriped friend. He has the Hall to think about. He's already denied the report, and there's no turning back now.

But the some players aren't as selfish. Brian Roberts and Fernando Vina have come clean. The admit to what we all know happen over the past couple of decades. And strangely, a simple "I'm sorry" has resonated more than anyone ever thought. Of course they feel bad about it, but nobody blames them. Nobody ever did. We know it was hard to turn down the juice back then, we understand.

But the further you dig that hole, the harder it is to dig yourself out. Every denial adds layers of anger. Some players, such as Clemens, just don't get it: we know what you did. Other players, hell, even one of his best friends, are proving the truth of the report. It's not a guessing game anymore.

So, Rocket, come clean. It's the only way to save your career. If Barry Bonds has a chance to get into the Hall, so do you buddy, but not if you continue lying. Voters tend to take that into account. Show some dignity, show some pride. Even if you don't get in, at least you'll be left out knowing you were a better man for it. You know, if that sort of thing matters to you.