First, there are many points of view and perspectives on this issue.  I want to recommend, again, that you check out a couple postings from tblog's very own Kent Ninomiya on the subject of Steroids in Baseball.  Kent's blog is always suggested reading for any sports fan, but these 2 postings had quality perspective in my opinion:  http://kentninomiya.tblog.com/post/1969971532" title="http://kentninomiya.tblog.com/post/1969971532" target="_blank"http://kentninomiya.tblog.com... titled Clemens Gamble and http://kentninomiya.tblog.com/post/1969970869" title="http://kentninomiya.tblog.com/post/1969970869" target="_blank"http://kentninomiya.tblog.com... titled Baseball in Crisis.  The first link really summarizes the situation that Roger Clemens currently faces and the second really speaks to how it often seems players are guilty until proven innocent (instead of the other way around).  Go check those out if you have not read them already.  I can't put it much better than he did.

I have been holding back on this issue for a while because it was difficult to sort and organize all of the thoughts I have on it.  Then it all seemed to crystalize for me when I decided "I really don't care about the past" in regards to this issue.  They have addressed the steroids issue going forward through a combination of increased testing,more severe punishments and a steady campaign to raise youth awareness.  What are you going to accomplish by digging up the past?  It's not like you can go back and change history.  Yes, it is a shame that some of the most prestigious records in all of sports have been affected.  It does not diminish the amazing accomplishments of Hank Aaron and players of other eras.  Most people just look at the home runs and offensive impact that performance enhancing drugs have made, but baseball is a game of inches and the impact is made on pitching and defense as well.  What about that great catch that robbed a player of a RBI double?  What about that throw to the plate by the right fielder that guns down a base-runner trying to score?  What about that pitcher who was able to strike out 1-2 more batters in a game?  Or even more, what about that extra 5 mph that a pitcher was able to get on his fastball which caused the hitter's swing to be a split second later and results in a pop out rather than a double in the gap?  Baseball is a game of inches and you cannot possibly reverse every play that was tainted by cheaters.  With that in mind, let's PLEASE just move forward.  There is nothing being accomplished by the Mitchell Report and the politcal grand-standing taking place at these Congressional hearings.

Major League Baseball (MLB) set an attendance record in the 2007 season, so the popularity of the sport is not being affected.  I do feel that MLB is held to a higher standard than the other professional sports.  I found it very ironic that in the same week that Baseball begins its Congressional hearings, there is a football game being played where a star on each team (Shawn Merriman and Rodney Harrison) has been busted for using performance enhancing drugs within the last year.  How come MLB gets raked over the coals while the NFL seems to get a free pass?  Who even mentions the Michael Vick or Pacman Jones incidents anymore?  But MLB is in front of Congress discussing hearsay and unsubstantiated accusations from 10+ years ago.  Like I said earlier, I just don't care about what happened before.  Let's just focus on what's happening now and in the future.  ONLY 29 MORE DAYS UNTIL SPRING TRAINING!!!

For the record, I hope that Roger Clemens is telling the truth.  I would rather have the greatest pitcher of my generation (or possibly any other for that matter) to not have that distinction tainted in any way.  For the record, I still believe that some of these accused players should still be inducted into the Hall of Fame (maybe not on the 1st ballot).  For the record, I hope these players are smart enough not to lie under oath and risk perjury charges.  I feel it would be more shameful to be put in jail for perjury than just admitting an error in judgment.  For the record, please let these guys remain innocent until proven guilty.  Reputations and legacies are at stake.  For the record, I just want the whole steroid issue to just go away because no further good can come from it.  I figured I would throw in a quick Top 10 list, so here is OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 PLAYERS NAMED IN THE MITCHELL REPORT:

10.  Jose Canseco
9.  David Justice
8.  Eric Gagné
7.  Miguel Tejada
6.  Jason Giambi
5.  Andy Petitte
4.  Juan Gonzales
3.  Gary Sheffield
2.  Roger Clemens
1.  Barry Bonds

Pretty amazing transformation that Bonds went through, huh?  That list of players has put together some pretty impressive careers.  Who knows what will happen as a result of the Mitchell Report and these Congressional hearings, but I am happy to have figured out that I personally really don't care.  Boy, for a guy who doesn't care, I sure did ramble on quite a bit.  But it is true and I hope you can convince yourself to feel the same way.  That will wrap up this edition of Kickin' it.  Thanks for reading.

Check this out:  With the earlier discussion about baseball vs. football, it reminded me of a very funny stand-up bit by comedian George Carlin.  Click here to see his comparisons...  www.youtube.com/watch?v=YphEUa5LPjM

Quote of the day:  "Sport is a chance for other human beings to push you to excel" -character John Keeting (played by Robin Williams) in the film Dead Poets Society

Download this:  "Boys Don't Cry" by Grant-Lee Phillips is an interesting cover of the song originally recorded by The Cure.  Very soothing to me.