As a follow-up to our recent post concerning the Mitchell Report, former senator and federal prosecutor George Mitchell today released his “Mitchell Report” that reports on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball. A number of currently active baseball players were named in the report, including Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Eric Gagne, Paul Lo Duca, and others. To see the pdf of the full Mitchell Report, click here.

As with any scandal in business or in the media, many players, baseball clubs, and baseball officials will now be running for cover. George Mitchell recommends that MLB commissioner Bud Selig do nothing to punish those named in the report for their past actions, but to only look forward.

"The commissioner should give the players and everyone else the chance to make a fresh start," Mitchell said. While this is perhaps wise counsel, baseball fans may be hard-pressed to embrace it.

What should those guilty parties named in this report do? How do they counteract the potential damage done to their reputations, their personal brands? They should do exactly what they should have done from the beginning—be honest and take responsibility for their actions. By confessing, confirming, and owning up to their behavior, they at least give baseball fans the chance to see redeeming qualities in them and perhaps forgive them and continue to support them.

The players needs the fans, the league needs the fans. Fans can forgive, but they need to be given reasons to forgive.

As with any good report, Mitchell also made a number of recommendations for the future of baseball drug testing, pages 285–310 of the Mitchell Report. Many of these recommendations are extremely appropriate and savvy. For those who love baseball and care about its future integrity, let’s hope the powers that be in the MLB heed the information and recommendations of the Mitchell Report.