Since so much of the evidence came from one source that had something to gain from his testimony, it would not take much to believe that there were more players involved in steroid abuse that the investigation failed to reveal, or players who were falsely accused.

Because of this, it is difficult to accept this report as being the definitive list of professional baseball players that participated in steroid abuse.  Considering the Mitchell Report has been the most extensive investigation into steroids within Major League Baseball, there is a good chance that some players who participated in steroid abuse will never be brought to light.

Since fans cannot control the situation and will never know the complete truth about the practice of steroid abuse among Major League Baseball players, it may be best to accept the steroid era as a time when huge offensive numbers and scandal renewed baseball and made it relevant again.

The announcement of the Mitchell Report kept baseball in the front pages, even though it was the offseason, and the speculation of steroids in baseball has been a feature of news broadcasts for years, catching the attention of Americans who otherwise would not have cared much about baseball.

Dating back to May of 2002, the Vanderbilt University News Archive has counted 165 stories about steroids and baseball on CNN, Fox News, NBC, CBS, and ABC—and that does not even count the stories featured on ESPN or any other cable sports channel.

Some in the public relations field argue that all publicity is good publicity, and for better or for worse, America was enthralled with what was happening in baseball.

Baseball players have been trying to get an edge for as long as the game has existed.  These methods vary from superstitious acts, like Wade Boggs's pre-game chicken meal or Nomar Garciaparra's adjustments between pitches, to illegal maneuvers like sign-stealing, scuffing baseballs before they are pitched, or Gaylord Perry's spitball.

It was even said that back in his playing days, Ty Cobb would sharpen his cleats so that when he had to slide into second base on a steal, the player covering would hesitate to apply the tag for fear of serious injury.

Steroids were, at the time they started being used, simply the next in line on the progression of cheating within the sport.  Had they been more available in previous years, then the problems they caused would have started earlier, and dealt with in the same way earlier.

The players of today are no better or worse morally than players of any other era.  They just had access to the steroids.

This will not stop players from looking for an edge either.  There is too much at stake for them and their families.  Players struggling to stay in the league want to keep being paid professional baseball player money, and players who are above average want to be paid superstar money.

Players already get eye surgery to artificially improve their vision.  Who is to say that in the future there will not be surgeries to make muscles more durable and faster, a type of medication that would let you make better pitch decisions, or a drink that would make you run faster?  How would the public accept players that took these advantages?

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