I was as> ready as everyone else to put this nonsense to rest, but evidence of a failed test completely changes the game. Barry Bonds is a stain on baseball, pure and simple. I really can’t see any credible argument to the contrary.

First, I’m glad this thing is finally out. It’s about damn time.

Second, I’m not surprised by any of it. I think we all more or less knew that Roger Clemens was juicing. Andy Pettite is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser, but it’s not that crazy.

As far as the Orioles, we knew Tejada would probably be in there, and the same goes for Larry Bigbie and — unfortunately — Brian Roberts. I couldn’t really care less about the other O’s named. It’s not like I ever really considered guys like Tim Laker and Todd Williams important members of the team.

There is a story here and that is the report itself and the names contained therein. But there is another story that lurks beneath the surface, and that is the issue of steroids themselves and what effect they have had on the game. For every Clemens or Bonds we find there are countless more like Nook Logan and Cody McKay and Ricky Stone.

Clearly the juice had little to no effect on what these guys were able to accomplish.

So if you happen to be one of these “who cares, steroids don’t make you a better ballplayer” types then you, unfortunately, have a leg to stand on here. Most of the big names who juiced were better-than-average performers to begin with. There are going to be people who seize on this to make a “steroids are no big deal argument.” Those people are still wrong, but the issue just got a lot more complex.

All that really matters is what baseball does going forward. If they implement the recommendations and we finally move to a point where the game is as clean as it can reasonably be then, hey, call it a win. The sooner we can close the book on this game of Steroids Gotcha, the better.

So…Erik Bedard to the Reds?

George Mitchell has no regard for my schedule. He has decided to release his steroid report at the same time that I’ll be waist-deep in helping evaluate final projects, rendering me helpless in the face of what figures to be some serious breaking news. Indeed, rumors are are already running rampant.

Given that disadvantage, I’m opening up the floor from now until tomorrow evening/night for anything and everything related to the report. I fully expect an Oriole or two to be named, making this a big Baltimore story. So take the comments section of this post and run with it. I’d like for this to be the absolute best place for Baltimore fans to turn for quality discussion, and I have no doubt you all will make it that and then some.

I just hope the news isn’t too bad. For us, that is. I won’t shed a single tear if Derek Jeter‘s name turns up. Nope.

As I’m sure everyone knows, an indictment doesn’t necessarily indicate any actual guilt. But in Bonds’ case…well, come on.

Thoughts?

Fashion designer Marc Ecko took to the tubes at ESPN.com today for a live chat about his handling of Barry Bonds‘ tainted ball. As it turns out, Ecko is an interesting, thoughtful, and seemingly intelligent man who did not enter into this lightly or on a whim. He appears quite genuine in his quest to use this as a way to further the debate and dialogue about ethics and integrity in sports.

The full transcript is behind ESPN’s “Insider” firewall (nice job, dopes), so if you’re not a member of that service you won’t be able to read it. How-evah, I’ve excerpted two of the best passages for you because I think they deserve to be seen.

Chris (Boston): Out of the three choices you proposed, which one would you choose?

Marc Ecko: I voted, before people knew the site was live, for the asterisk. The reason is that it’s a lot bigger than 756. It has to do with the last 10 years in sports. It’s a system that fosters its athletes to cheat. I want to be able to look at my heros and look at them as heros for a reason and doing it on their own. My ability to imagine doing these things and the very notion that it might not be what it actually is, is bad for the sport. You don’t need that in the living room, when you’re watching the game. You don’t need to be having that discussion.

Then a few questions later…

Chris Starr San Francisco, CA: I understand you’re not a Barry Bonds fan and that’s fine, but wouldn’t the $752,467 have been spent as a donation to charity? Isn’t that a lot of money to waste on a baseball you have no intention of keeping?

Marc Ecko: Actually, as a private citizen who spends millions and millions on charity as it is and earns his money by working really hard, I think the way I spent the money is a good thing. This won’t get swept under the rug. As a social issue, this is real. In terms of speaking about our values and pro sports. I think it’s been good to get that debate out there. After 10 million votes, it’s about seven cents a vote. I wanted to do this, I wanted to mix it up. I earned it. That’s what life should be about. Good question. Fair question.

He also talks about the Hall of Fame and how they’re working with him to display the ball and tell the whole story behind it (assuming it doesn’t end up in space).

This is just about the best thing that could have happened to the ball. Maybe some good will ultimately come of it.