Mitchell's report could be viewed as good news

Besides the Boston Red Sox' winning the World Series, there was plenty of good news in the sports world this year.

Some news could be viewed as bad or good, though, depending on one's perspective.

For example, some would view George Mitchell's recent report on steroids in baseball, listing nearly 90 present and former players as users, as bad news for baseball fans.

But I choose to view it as good news.

I say that because it, along with more prodding from Congress (which is planning to hold hearings on the issue again), could lead to baseball's finally taking firm measures to virtually rid the game of such cheating.

Under current testing systems, the use of performance-enhancing drugs cannot be totally eliminated, as there is no reliable test to detect use of Human Growth Hormone.

But such a test could be developed soon if there is a great demand for it (it's amazing what scientists can develop when they know there will be a lucrative market for their product).

In the meantime more frequent surprise testing for detectable steroids, administered by testers independent of Major League Baseball (as Mitchell's report recommends) could greatly reduce steroid use.

If there is still perceived to be a problem, having another Mitchell-type investigation done every five years or so could also prove to be a great deterrent.

Mitchell, a former prosecutor, did a great job with his investigation, especially considering he was not granted subpoena power (perhaps Congress could grant future investigators such power).

Now instead of mere rumors that many stars used steroids, we have tangible evidence (it's amazing that many of the players purchasing steroids wrote checks for them).

This should also help baseball writers sort out who belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame in the future, though some apparently still don't get it.

Some say Rafael Palmeiro doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame because he did not play at such a high level before he began taking steroids.

But they say Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds should be inducted because they consistently turned in Hall of Fame caliber seasons before they reportedly began taking steroids.

I find that logic flawed, though.

Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson had Hall of Fame statistics before they became involved with gamblers, but they are permanently barred from consideration for the Hall of Fame because they broke the game's rules.

Bonds and Clemens should also be barred from the Hall of Fame, or Rose and Jackson should be inducted. You can't have it both ways.

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The 2007 news for the Indy Racing League also depends on how one looks at it.

With two recent Indianapolis 500 champions switching to NASCAR, one could say that the IRL is hurting.

But looking on the positive side, Helio Castroneves, the most famous current IRL driver, won a competition on one of the highest rated telecasts of 2007.

OK, it wasn't an IRL race, it was the "Dancing with the Stars" competition. But having 24 million people watch the two-time Indy 500 champion and 2007 Indy 500 pole sitter do that was bound to create some new Indy car racing fans.

As long as the Indy 500 still has exciting drivers such as Castroneves, Marco Andretti (who almost won the Indy 500 in 2006 as a 19-year-old rookie) and Danica Patrick, it will remain the preeminent race for me.