Baseball Steroid Investigation Shouldn’t Skip Over Bush’s Texas Rangers
Baseball Steroid Investigation Shouldn’t Skip Over Bush’s Texas Rangers
Bud Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, has tapped former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell to lead a thorough and impartial investigation into steroid use in professional baseball. Selig has given Mitchell the permission to “expand the investigation and to follow the evidence where it may lead†through at least the last 15 years.
From 1988 to 1994, President Bush was managing general partner of the Texas Rangers.
Among his players during that time, several — Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Pailmero (tested positive) and Jose Canseco (admitted) — are all alleged to have used steroids while playing for the Rangers under Bush.
Identifying players and suppliers of steroids in professional baseball will undoubtedly clean up the sport. But even more useful will be identifying owners who turn a blind eye to cheating, and rake in major dividends from power hitters like Barry Bonds.
President Bush has denied being aware of steroid use in his tenure as managing partner of the Rangers, and has called for an immediate stop to steroid use in professional sports.
We look forward to Mitchell’s final report.
– Sam Davis
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56 Responses to “Baseball Steroid Investigation Shouldn’t Skip Over Bush’s Texas Rangers”
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Personally, I don’t care about this. Anyone else?
March 31st, 2006 at 2:05 pmWhen they were Bush’s Rangers, there was MLB rule against steroids. That didn’t happen ’til 2004.
There are plenty of reasons to go after Bush - NSA, Katrina, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Any lies he may have told about steroids will be overlooked even more quickly than the ones he told about NSA surveillance.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:07 pmgiven all of the other stuff out there, this is a non-issue really. I don’t think anyone is suprised by steroid use in professional sports. I am glad the MLB is cleaning up its act and doing something about it, however tying Bush to it is not only pretty slim, but not really useful in the long wrong. I think this will could also make the dems look bad if they pursued this issue.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:10 pmI like thinkprogress for writing on all sorts of issues. Sure, steroid investigation isn’t big news like Iraq or War on Terror, but it gets a lot of press attention and it’s fairly interesting. Cut some slack.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:13 pmyou guys are dead wrong, this is an issue that america cares about. probably why we keep losing elections. get your heads straight and stop all of this “inside the beltway” mumbo jumbo, way to think progress!!!!
March 31st, 2006 at 2:14 pmI detest Gdub as much as anyone, and as MGK noted above, there are plenty of good reasons to pursue Bush.
Of course no one should be skipped over in the baseball investigation, and no one as suggested anyone actually be skipped over.
Singling Bush out in this fashion just looks petty and a tad obsessive.
We’re starting to sound like th GOP of the late 90’s.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:14 pmI think Sam has the right idea here. George Mitchell and Bud Selig can’t be afraid of investigating Bush just because he’s the president. I’m sure steroid use was the most poorly kept secret aroudn the clubhouse in those days. W had to know something.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:15 pmPresident Buch took steroids but instead of his balls shrinking, his brain did.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:16 pmYes, let’s devote our energies to something important, like stomping out the “I man’s” campaign of hatred. Jeesus H Key-reist. This kind of stupid, petty crap is am embarassment to left-minded people.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:18 pm#2 - When they were Bush’s Rangers, there was {no} MLB rule against steroids. That didn’t happen ’til 2004. - -
MLB’s Drug Policy in 1991 under Comissioner Fay Vincent:
Commissioner Fay Vincent’s memorandum included the following provisions: The possession, sale or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by Major League players and personnel is strictly prohibited. Those involved in the possession, sale or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance are subject to discipline by the commissioner and risk permanent expulsion from the game.
In addition to any discipline this office may impose, a club also may take action under applicable provisions of and special covenants to the uniform Player’s Contract. This prohibition applies to all illegal drugs and controlled substances, including steroids or prescription drugs for which the individual in possession of the drug does not have a prescription.
Steroids have always been a controlled substance. As to Bush’s knowledge or involvement of steroid use, that argument has all the tensile strength of a cobweb. He was more clueless then than he is now.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:18 pmyou guys are dead wrong, this is an issue that america cares about. probably why we keep losing elections. get your heads straight and stop all of this “inside the beltway†mumbo jumbo, way to think progress!!!!
Comment by bigtex — March 31, 2006 @ 2:14 pm
And perhaps we should discuss Desperate Housewives and Survivor…??? Llike that stuff will matter?
Some one has to talk about the real issues, and since the main stream won’t, be glad that we are. We’re the few left that Jefferson spoke about keeping vigilance. When we give up, baseball will be the last thing on anyone’s mind.
Zookeeper, I’m with you. I lost interest in baseball when they went on strike last decade.
Here’s a whole slew of politcal stories to select from: http://www.buzzflash.com/
March 31st, 2006 at 2:20 pmbadmoomman -
is that your policy for the children. nice work. you should be ashamed.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:22 pmIn terms of what relates to George W. Bush, in that time he probably didn’t know that time what the word steroids means, I picture him saying: “HUH ?? Steroids ?? Isss thaaat a druuuug ???”
March 31st, 2006 at 2:22 pmdear unbelievable-
honestly i wish you could run the party. how was the game you attended last year at lambert field?
March 31st, 2006 at 2:24 pmbadmoomman -
March 31st, 2006 at 2:30 pmis that your policy for the children. nice work. you should be ashamed. — Wtf?
Can you say desperate?
That’s fine - you focus on what knew about steroid abuse and we will focus on wrapping jew hater, cop puncher, Cynthia McKinney around your necks.
“I wouldn’t make a big deal of this….”
March 31st, 2006 at 2:32 pmmy apologies badmoonman, misread your post. nice work.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:33 pmhow was the game you attended last year at lambert field?
Comment by bigtex — March 31, 2006 @ 2:24 pm
You lost me. Last year I lived in San Francisco and metro Atlanta. For football that would be Monster Park and the Georgia Dome. Never been to Lambert Field. Or Wisconsin.
But I enjoy watching the cheeseheads when they beat the Falcons.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:35 pmJunior had to snort steriods in high school, just to make the chess team.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:44 pmThey strengthened his brain back then, as evidenced by his current ability to form at least half a sentence.
“spevicivity“
March 31st, 2006 at 2:48 pmUm,…..”Lambert Field” is the airport in St Louis. “Lambeau Field” is where the Packers play.
March 31st, 2006 at 3:03 pmWHen Bush owned the Rangers there was no MLB rule regarding steroids, but there were US laws regarding steroid use and posession. Bush is nto an issue with steroids by himself, it is the whole MLBB ownership, him included, but not specifically. It seems as though all of MLBB turned their back and ignored the elephant in the living room. If any of you remember when Canseco was a rookie, there were allegations swirling around him form day one, yet nothing was done, because he put on a show that filled seats. MLBB turned their back on the issue because the long ball filled seats better than, single stolen base filders choice and sac fly does.
March 31st, 2006 at 3:06 pmUm,…..â€Lambert Field†is the airport in St Louis. “Lambeau Field†is where the Packers play.
Comment by Don — March 31, 2006 @ 3:03 pm
Okay, so noted. I haven’t been there either. Don’t know what he was referencing then. Doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things I suppose. Though, I guess it goes to show how easy it is to be ignorant about things you don’t know? Like the majority of conservatives. But at least I confused an airport with a baseball stadium - instead of confusingt 9/11 with Saddam Hussein…
March 31st, 2006 at 3:16 pmLooks like a pic of Bush in his late 20s or early 30s for this thread? That was the period of time he snorted cocaine, acted Gay, and thought he was a handsome stud > lol.
March 31st, 2006 at 3:42 pmUm,…..â€Lambert Field†is the airport in St Louis. “Lambeau Field†is where the Packers play.- - BigTex seems very confused. He misread a post of mine and twice got my screen name wrong. Accuracy counts, generally.
March 31st, 2006 at 4:00 pmNot making any excuses for Dumbya, but he was managing general partner in name only. He was brought in on the purchase deal because of the name recognition factor.
March 31st, 2006 at 4:18 pmhref=”http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/choice2000/bush/grieve.html”>
March 31st, 2006 at 4:21 pmSteroids were not illegal in baseball until 2004 and Mitchell is to concentrate his investigation since that date.
March 31st, 2006 at 4:22 pmIt was George and Rusty who, basically, made the philosophy of the team and ran the team on an everyday basis.
Thats from your link Bluein
March 31st, 2006 at 4:24 pmCan you believe we elected that moron as president?
I used to really believe in the America thing until Bush got re-elected. Then the scales fell from my eyes.
March 31st, 2006 at 4:38 pmDidn’t Chimpy want to be Baseball commissioner if he had lost the 2000 election? Or is that his next career plan move? In either case - thanks for saving baseball by screwing the rest of the world, Ralph Nader.
March 31st, 2006 at 4:39 pm#30 I’d have a hard time thinking Chimpy could hold down a job selling hot dogs in a concession at the stadium if his name wasn’t George W Bush.
March 31st, 2006 at 4:46 pm#8 He injected it in the wrong place.
March 31st, 2006 at 5:06 pm#33 - PAP,
March 31st, 2006 at 5:43 pmWhich part of his brain, left cheek or right cheek?
Bush should be in baseball and Rice should be in football. At least they couldn’t screw up the country. Sports would suck, but the nation would be saved.
March 31st, 2006 at 5:56 pm#35 - Marie,
March 31st, 2006 at 6:18 pmThat doesn’t work. They make baseballs from calf skin and footballs from pig skin. Neither is qualified.
“Texas Rangers - steriods-free since 1994?” That reminds me of something….
March 31st, 2006 at 6:31 pmBUSH;A corrupt clown then,a corrupt clown now.
March 31st, 2006 at 8:15 pm[Snort Snort Sniff] Look, [sniff] See, We Don’t need any Stinking Drug Tests -GWB
March 31st, 2006 at 11:58 pmBud Selig is a joke!
Steroids served baseball well in the mid to late ’90’s, Super long-ball was the way to bring back the fans after the strike of ‘94. So they turned a blind eye to steroid abuse in exchange for getting the fans back sooner rather than later. And now it’s come back to bite them in the ass! A complete farce. And Pete Rose is kept out of baseball because of something called integrity.
April 1st, 2006 at 1:48 amIt’s good to know that absolutely everything really is George Bush’s fault.
April 1st, 2006 at 2:48 amTo Seixon #41.He sure as Hell is not helping.
April 1st, 2006 at 3:12 amjust say no to drugs……….right Mr. President?
April 1st, 2006 at 7:34 amI guess if your norm was cocaine then steroids wouldn’t seem so bad
April 1st, 2006 at 11:18 amSlow news day, Think Pessimism?????
April 1st, 2006 at 1:15 pmWhy does Georgie look so ….how can I say?.. man lover!?
April 1st, 2006 at 2:11 pmThere are more sports fans than there are voters, particularly Democractic voters or stay at homers. Why not appeal to something that might peak their interest about dom son?
April 1st, 2006 at 3:09 pmMy God. I just got a glimpse of the picture at the top of this thread. Is that really from 12 or more years back. The blood vessels in his hands are typical for someone with serious kidney or liver failure. His face says that he has type 2 diabetes. His eyes (pupils) show signs of Hepatitis. Has Frist reviewed this picture? This guy has two feet and one arm in the grave. It’s no wonder that he hasn’t any brain function!
April 2nd, 2006 at 12:21 amIn number 48, pupils should be whites.
April 2nd, 2006 at 12:24 amlet’s see…..a serial drug abuser enableing other serial drug abusers……yup, I could see where some would find THAT optomistic
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:36 pmAmong his players during that time, several — Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Pailmero (tested positive) and Jose Canseco (admitted) — are all alleged to have used steroids while playing for the Rangers under Bush.
Translation: BUSH MADE THEM DO IT!!!!!
Amazing.
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:54 pmI THINK IT SHOULD BE EXPOSED, EVEN THOUGH HE WILL PROBABLY BE UNTOUCHABLE ON IT.
BUSH HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN CROOKED DEALS HIS WHOLE LIFE. IF THIS ADDS A PIECE TO THE PUZZLE, IT WILL AT LEAST BE SOMETHING FOR THE HISTORIANS.
IT’S A SHAME A FULL PICTURE OF THIS DIRT-BAG WON’T COME OUT ‘TIL HE’S LONG GONE, BUT IT SHOULD STILL COME OUT.
IF NOTHING ELSE, IT MAY HELP THE COUNTRY FROM BEING SCAMMED IN THE FUTURE.
April 2nd, 2006 at 4:46 pmGeorge Bush and Barry Bonds, both scratching and scraping for political capital like scavengers.
April 2nd, 2006 at 6:54 pmActually I think it would be great if GWB were pulled into Steroid mess. It would show that it’s all connected. We all turned a blind eye but the Repubs, as always, went one ethically careless step further. It’s consistent with GOP short term answer-think that really got off the ground during the Reagan years. Energy Crisis? What energy crisis? Just buy another gas guzzler. Didn’t actually win the election? Send some shallow college-boy brownshirts down to Palm Beach to make it so. Fans disenchanted with Baseball? Make it more like a contact sport with giant Michelen men to powder the ball(game) back to popularity.
The Bush Junta is so wrong, we should pile on them whenever we can. Bury them for claiming to be GOP Kennedy’s. As the Deep Throat (Mark Felt) character says in ‘All the Presidents Men:’ ‘the truth is these guys weren’t very smart and they let things get out of hand.’
April 17th, 2006 at 1:54 pm[…] rel=”dc:source” property=”dc:titleThink Progress ? Blog Archive ? Baseball Steroid Investigation …Mar 31, 2006 … baseball Steroid Investigation Shouldn??t Skip Over Bush??s texas Rangers?. […]
April 5th, 2008 at 7:48 am[…] House press secretary said Bush does not recall being aware of steroid use during his time as a baseball executive. He just does not recall hearing or seeing it. Deja vous. […]
April 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am