Baseball Steroid Report Names Star Players

The reputation of baseball, America's emblamatic sport and favorite pastime, suffered a major embarrassment today with publication of an independent report that found widespread drugs abuse in the game, naming scores of present and former stars.

The report, which runs to more than 300 pages, is the biggest-ever investigation into the sport's drug scandals. Its findings will prompt a fresh look at long-established records and a revaluation of the sport's heroes. Disciplinary action is expected against current players.

The investigation was carried out by George Mitchell, the former senator who played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process. He spent 20 months speaking to players as well as dealers.

In the initial stages, he frequently complained about lack of co-operation, but in recent months found sources who provided testimony as part of plea deals.

"Former commissioner Fay Vincent told me that the problem of performance-enhancing substances may be the most serious challenge that baseball has faced since the 1919 Black Sox scandal," Mitchell said in the report.

"The illegal use of anabolic steroids and similar substances, in Vincent's view, is 'cheating of the worst sort'. He believes that it is imperative for Major League Baseball to 'capture the moral high ground' on the issue and, by words and deeds, make it clear that baseball will not tolerate the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs."

Baseball remains one of the most popular and lucrative sports in the US. Although American football records bigger television ratings, there are many more baseball games played each year, with high viewing figures. It is family-orientated, with children participating in Saturday morning league games throughout the country.

The report prompted Congress to consider a fresh inquiry, with baseball officials and the players' union likely to be called to testify.

Some retired players have claimed that in the decade before testing began in 2003, half or more of baseball's 1,200 players were drug users.

Mitchell identified deficiencies in present methods of testing players for drug abuse and recommended that testing be outsourced to an independent company.

Mitchell was asked to carry out the investigation in March last year by Bud Selig, the Major League Baseball commissioner, the game's highest official, against a background of controversy over the use of steroids in the game.

Congress, which conducted an inquiry in 2005, expressed unhappiness in with testimony provided by players and others at the time. But the immediate reason for Selig ordering the investigation was allegations surrounding baseball star Barry Bonds.

The player later broke one of the game's long-cherished records only to be subsequently indicted on charges of lying to a federal grand jury about steroid use.

Members of Congress are concerned about the impact on children who see the top players as role models.

Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the House, said: "I think the use of steroids and the example it sets for our young people in our country is an issue that must be addressed."

Elijah Cummings, a member of the House oversight committee, called on baseball officials and players' representatives to testify before his committee.

Speaking before publication of the report, he said it showed that "a lot more people are involved in the illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs than we ever imagined".

He added: "I think baseball has developed a culture of cheating. ... This may put Major League Baseball on the critical list. If it is on the critical list, we need critical solutions."

Marion Lois Jones, the American Olympic track star, was stripped of her medals after admitting in October this year taking performance enhancing drugs.