The Mitchell Report Press Conference - An Unofficial Transcript

Update:  here's the official site of the report.

I am currently listening to ESPN's broadcast of George Mitchell's press conference regarding his report on steroid use in Major League Baseball.  Here are a few bullet points mostly paraphrased from Mitchell's conference (which amounted to an executive summary).

1. The Report does not violate the basic agreement.  This was checked by MLB after it received the report 3 days in advance of today's announcement.
2. Steroid use was rampant in baseball.
3. Baseball was slow in stopping steroid use, but it has been getting better after clubs and the union adopted a random testing system in 2002.
4. Every team has had at least one player that has used.
5. Between 5 and 7% tested positive.  This proportion is probably underestimated because players knew they would be tested and because of sampling error (Phil:  yes, but positive tests can also come with error).
6. Players need to be better role models for youngsters.  And too many youngsters use steroids, something that should shock Americans.  It's partly the fault of MLB players. (Phil:  This point extended almost to the point of belaboring).
7. Steroid use is unfair to those who don't use them because of positional externalities (my term).
8. Some information came from sources who did so "at the request" of government officials (emphasis is mine).
9. 11 players admitted Kirk Radomski gave them steroids.
10. Brian McNamee saw three players use steroids.
11. Players moved towards the use of human growth hormone (not detectable with current urine tests) and water-based steroids (which leave the body quicker than oil-based steroids)
12. Some recommendations can be implemented unilaterally by the commissioner.  Some can be implemented only after collective bargaining with the MLBPA.
13. Prior to 2002, teams did not push hard to stop steroids because of economic fears about the game.
14. A goal of this investigation is to bring a close to this chapter in history and to stop future use.
15. Most allegations are "distant in time."
16. Employers must use rules in place at the time when disciplining employees.
17. More than half the players in the report are out of MLB or its "affiliated minor leagues."
18. "There is much about performance enhancing drugs in baseball that I did not learn."
19. Everyone needs to be involved in the riddance of steroids in baseball.
20. Mitchell did his best to uncover the facts.
21. The conclusions and recommendations are the most important part of the report, not the naming of names.