Two major informants play central roles in the searing report on steroid use in baseball, released yesterday by former Sen. George Mitchell.
Kirk Radomski, a former Mets clubhouse attendant, and Brian McNamee, a former strength trainer for the Yankees and Blue Jays, provided much of the information linking players to drug use. The document named 89 players, including superstars Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco and Jason Giambi.
Critics charge that the report relies too heavily on the two informants. The players’ union, and most of the players themselves, refused to cooperate with the investigation.
The central supplier identified in the report was Radomski, who said he provided performance-enhancing drugs to players across the country, building a distribution network that grew through word-of-mouth referrals. Although Radomski met with some players when they were in New York, his hometown, most of his business was conducted by phone and express delivery services.
Radomski also supplied drugs to McNamee, who in turn provided them to players. Radomski has pleaded guilty to federal charges of selling steroids. His plea bargain called for his cooperation with Mitchell’s investigation.
For corrobation of Radomski’s charges, Mitchell depended on a handful of players who admitted using drugs; checks and money orders made out to Radomski by players; mailing receipts; and contact information in Radomski’s address book.
Mitchell, chairman of DLA Piper and a director of the Boston Red Sox, said the league and the owners had been slow to react to the widespread use of performance enhancers. The report noted that all 30 teams had players who had used illicit substances.
Mitchell called for increased drug testing, more public reporting of the results, and a unit in the commissioner’s office to investigate reports of drug use.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig praised the report and promised to implement the recommendations.
Additional stories about steroids and baseball on Muckety.com
Click here to sign up for the Muckety Newsletter
0 Comments
There are no comments yet, be the first by filling in the form below.
Leave a Comment