Is George Mitchell independent enough?

[RhodyYanksFan]

Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but I just read about how Mitchell is a director of the Red Sox, and the chairman of Walt Disney - who owns ESPN. How has this been allowed to happen? What's to stop Mitchell from from calling out 10 Yankees and 2 Sox players? How can MLB think he's going to be totally impartial when his report could very well spell doom for ESPN (owned by Disney)?

This is another instance of Bud Selig knowing nothing about running a sport.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mario...102307.article

[CTSoxFan]

Seriously! The next thing you know, baseball will be run by a commissioner who's nothing more than a lackey of the owners!

I agree with you. From what I know about Mitchell, I think he does have the integrity to be fair and impartial, and I think the rumors that he released (or allowed to be released) the Paul Byrd rumors are silly. Having said that, the potential for an appearance of impropriety is so great that Selig should have made another choice.

[SalingerNY]

I posted on this in the thread that shall not be named, and I think there are a couple of points worth making here.

It's clear to me that Mitchell can't avoid at least the appearance of a conflict of interest, if not an outright conflict.

That being said, I think you want someone running this kind of investigation who's familiar with MLB. It's tough to do that and avoid all possible conflicts.

It's also worth noting that the commission isn't a one-man operation. You would also be hard-pressed to find a more distinguished Senator to head something like this.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I think Mitchell's going to be as fair and even-handed as he possibly can be. I would suggest we wait until the report comes out before speculating on his independence.

[yep]

...I think Mitchell's going to be as fair and even-handed as he possibly can be...

I suspect that this is the case. But perhaps unfortunately, the *appearance* of conflict of interest is often just as bad as any actual conflict. Simply the appearance of a conflict undermines the credibility and authority of the commision and opens the door for appeals and complaints of bias.

Especially where the commision does not have any real power or authority, the notion that Mitchell might be have an interest in protecting the Red Sox or baseball owners in general weakens the whole purpose of the commission, which is to shed light on the dark places in baseball.

[JfromJersey]

The very word INDEPENDENT excludes him. You can't be called independent or impartial if you are employed by a party under investigation, and since MLB is being investigated and last I heard, the Red Sox are part of MLB, I don't see how Mitchell could be appointed. He would not be an eligible juror in a case involving baseball. It's the perception of the fact, more than the fact itself, that reeks of a conflict of interest.

[hardrain]

The very word INDEPENDENT excludes him. You can't be called independent or impartial if you are employed by a party under investigation, and since MLB is being investigated and last I heard, the Red Sox are part of MLB, I don't see how Mitchell could be appointed. He would not be an eligible juror in a case involving baseball. It's the perception of the fact, more than the fact itself, that reeks of a conflict of interest.

Very well stated...I agree 100%

[cupcollector99]

If a few of the Rockies players names are "discovered" by a third city media outlet to be subject of investigation I think the question is answered.

[b-ball-lunachick]

Very well stated...I agree 100%

Me too...and i also agree with yep.


I can also sum up my response to the question as "HELL NO!"

[4bronxbombers]

Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but I just read about how Mitchell is a director of the Red Sox, and the chairman of Walt Disney - who owns ESPN. How has this been allowed to happen? What's to stop Mitchell from from calling out 10 Yankees and 2 Sox players? How can MLB think he's going to be totally impartial when his report could very well spell doom for ESPN (owned by Disney)?

This is another instance of Bud Selig knowing nothing about running a sport.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mario...102307.article

So true. ugh. Selig really needs to go.

[NDBoston]

So true. ugh. Selig really needs to go.

Baseball owners should build a shrine for Selig. He's been that good at his job.

[rogue588]

Well, Bob DuPuy was on M&tMD yesterday and he said that Mitchell will be totally impartial.

And I believe anything MLB tells me..