Yesterday's Mitchell Report thrust the Orioles back into the steroid scandal spotlight, with two of their All-Stars - second baseman Brian Roberts and just-traded shortstop Miguel Tejada - linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Roberts, considered the current face of the franchise, and Tejada, a four-time All-Star who was traded a day before the report's release, were among 19 current or former Orioles mentioned in former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's 20-month investigation on steroid use in the sport.
"It's not a very good day for baseball," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "Obviously, but obviously let's get it behind us, learn from it, move forward and make the 2008 season a better one."
Roberts was included in the report after former Orioles teammate Larry Bigbie told investigators that Roberts admitted to him that he had "injected himself once or twice with steroids" in 2003. Roberts, who has repeatedly denied using steroids, didn't return several phone calls yesterday. His agent, Mark Pieper, said last night that his client wasn't commenting on the report.
Roberts and outfielder Jay Gibbons, who admitted earlier this month to using human growth hormone after he was assessed a 15-day suspension from Major League Baseball, were the only current Orioles mentioned in the report. No new information on Gibbons was cited aside from a 2003 e-mail correspondence between Los Angeles Dodgers officials that stated: "Gibbons is a guy [we] would have interest in but juice involved there."
Gibbons said yesterday that he was never contacted by Mitchell's committee and saw no point commenting on a topic that he has already addressed.
"I've already dealt with the issue," he said. "There's nothing new here."
Orioles owner Peter Angelos and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail didn't return phone calls seeking comment.
The list of past and present Orioles mentioned in the report included current Toronto Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun, the nephew of former Orioles catcher and coach Rick Dempsey, and relievers Todd Williams and Jason Grimsley, the latter of whom was with the club for 1 1/2 injury-marred seasons.
It ranged from players such as pitchers Darren Holmes, Ricky Bones, Kevin Brown and Kent Mercker and catcher Tim Laker, whose stays were brief, to first basemen Rafael Palmeiro and David Segui and utility player Howie Clark, who returned to the Orioles later in their careers for second stints.
