Bringing the game out of the shadows?

Use of steroids in Major League Baseball has been prevalent for more than a decade and practiced by players on every club in the league, according to Senator George Mitchell's report, disseminated today.

Notable names in the Mitchell Report are Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Paul LoDuca and Eric Gagne.

It also includes names linked to steroids in the past, such as Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa.

To read the lengthy report or view the highlights, click here.

Brian McNamee has been named in the report as a possible distributor of steroids, specifically to Clemens and Pettitte. He "injected Clemens approximately four time in the buttocks over a several week period with needles that Clemens provided," the report states.

Senator Mitchell was put in charge of the investigation by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. He is urging that no disciplinary actions be taken, unless it compromises the integrity of the game, but how does deception, lying and cheating not compromise baseball??

"The commissioner should give the players and everyone else the chance to make a fresh start. That's what baseball needs."--George Mitchell

It's important to remember that because a player's name is included in the report does not mean that they definitely used steroids, because Mitchell had no subpoena power and a large majority of the information did not come straight from the players's mouths. And just because a player's name is not listed in the report, does not mean he's 100% clean, either.

Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor, is a director of the Boston Red Sox and was questioned during today's news conference if bias is present in this report. He, of course, denied that by using a perfectly politicized spin--something about Ireland?

There will obviously be more to come on this report, but this is certainly the biggest bombshell dropped on the steroid scandal in quite some time.

Bud Selig will hold a press conference today at 4 p.m.