Mitchell Report - The Perfect Test (p. 1) - MiLB Performance Enhancing Substance Testing Gone Wrong on MLN Sports Zone

The Perfect Test - Christopher Hadorn & Brian Ross - MLN Sports

The Perfect Test
The 'model' testing system established by Commissioner Selig for Minor League Baseball (MiLB) in 2001 was shown up by the Mitchell Report. How did so many substance abusers escape detection and prosecution? What are the root causes of substance abuse, and what will end it once and for all?

Christopher HADORN
Brian ROSS
MLNSportsZone.com

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On December 13, 2007, Senator George Mitchell released a much-anticipated investigative report on the underground culture of performance-enhancing substance (PES) use, and detailed the enabling culture within all MLB clubs that tolerated, or turned a very blind eye, to their use.

The mainstream media has focused primarily on the “Who’s Who” list of blue-chip players whose names appeared on the report. While sensational for the momentary headline, what was largely missed by the big media outlets in the 409 page report was the ease with which players evaded the “tougher” policies for PES testing in the minor leagues.

What the Mitchell Report failed miserably at was the identification of the root causes of PES use, which rests in the boardroom more than the laboratory or the locker room.

Bud Selig, the Commissioner of Baseball, has always maintained that he and the owners have stood tough against PES use, as evidenced by the testing system that they put in place in the minor leagues during the 2001 season.

MiLB Get-Tough Program

The report describes how MLB installed drug testing in the minors in June of 2001 and how the process has evolved over the years. If one believes MLB’s published accounts, minor league testing has been hugely successful:

In 2001, 439 out of 4,850 tests (9.1%) of minor leaguers came up positive for steroids. The players who flunked the tests weren’t punished, but required to participate in treatment and counseling.

In 2002 and 2003, only players who failed two tests were handed down suspensions. Positive steroid tests dropped to 4.8% in 2002, and again to 4% in 2003.

In 2004, first-time offenders became subject to immediate suspensions. Positives plummeted to 1.78% in 2004 and 1.7% in 2005.

In August of 2005, the Commissioner’s Office ratcheted down the rules again by extending suspensions to 50 games for first offense, 100 games for a second time and a permanent suspension for the third.

In 2006 positive steroid tests sunk to a microscopic 0.36%. There were 23 total positive tests out of 6,433 administered to minor league players that season.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” says MLB’s spokesperson Mike Teevan. “They have reduced dramatically. We certainly remain vigilant. But obviously the program is working.”

The Commissioner has insisted that, in a perfect world without collective bargaining with the Players Association, a similar policy to the ‘get-tough’ rules used by MLB in the minors would have been in place at the big league level.

“It’s the best policy in professional sports,” says Teevan of the testing program for MiLB that has been called ‘Selig’s baby.’

MLB swears by its effectiveness. To the PA, the minor league testing system was another power-play in the war with the PA over control of the game of baseball.

Selig could not get a consensus from his owners or gain the cooperation of the PA for a comprehensive testing...

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