Baseball's Hall of Shame: MLB Report Finds Widespread Steroid Use, Warns About Influence Pros Have on Young Athletes

Thursday is being described by some as “one of the darkest days in baseball history” following the publication of an official Major League Baseball report on the widespread use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in the sport. About 90 retired and current players were named in the report including some of the game’s biggest superstars such as New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens and San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds. Former Senator George Mitchell headed the 20-month investigation.

Mitchell said the problem of steroids and sports extends far beyond professional baseball teams. He estimated hundreds of thousands of high school students currently use steroids. Sportswriter Dave Zirin joins us in Washington DC. He is author of the new book “Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics and Promise of Sports.” He is a regular contributor to the Nation Magazine and writes a weekly column called “Edge of Sports.”

Denise Garibaldi joins us on the phone from California. Five years ago her 24-year-old son, Rob Garibaldi committed suicide after suffering from anabolic steroid-induced depression. Denise has become a vocal critic of steroid use. She has testified before Congress and serves on the board of advisers of the Taylor Hooton Foundation which fights steroid abuse.

Dave Zirin, author of the new book “Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics and Promise of Sports.” He is a regular contributor to the Nation Magazine and writes a weekly column called “Edge of Sports.”

Denise Garibaldi, her 24-year-old son, Rob Garibaldi committed suicide in 2002 after suffering form anabolic steroid-induced depression. Denise has testified before Congress on steroids and serves on the board of advisers to the Taylor Hooton Foundation which fights steroid abuse.

Related Links

• The Mitchell Report: Absolving the Owners

---

Related Democracy Now! Stories

• Dave Zirin on “Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics and Promise of Sports” (6/12/2007)

---

LISTEN ONLINE