Brazil Times' staff reporter Melinda Quasius has already tackled this subject in a blog, but I couldn't help myself after hearing all the latest.

The Mitchell Report has become a black eye for Major League Baseball. Released last week, the report was the culmination of several months of investigation regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

And it left its mark.

Names were what people were looking for and the fans got plenty. Perhaps not as many as expected, but many.

Close to 100 actually.

Still, I've got to believe that this only scratches the surface regarding illegal substances in the sport.

It's long been known that baseball players -- playing a 162-game schedule -- have used illegal substances in the past.

Uppers were the drug of choice nearly 30 years ago.

But performance-enhancing drugs have become the drug of choice in recent years.

Sure, seeing Roger Clemens' name in the report shocked a lot of people. But in reality, it should not have.

Clemens came into the league in the mid-80s. Since then, he's been one of the -- if not the most -- dominant pitchers in all of baseball.

His numbers prove it. More than 300 wins, more than 4,000 strikeouts, etc. He's a modern-day Walter Johnson, the heir apparent to Nolan Ryan.

But even his career showed something may have been up.

Near the tail end of his tenure with the Boston Red Sox, Clemens' statistics started slipping.

His numbers weren't nearly as great as they had been and after a 10-13 year, he left Boston and headed to Toronto.

Bing! Two straight unbelievable years. Back-to-back stellar seasons that pitchers dream of.

Was it coincidence that Jose Canseco also played for the Blue Jays at this time? That same former big-leaguer who penned a book regarding his use of steroids? Makes one wonder.

Clemens continued to put up great numbers with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros until last year, when his numbers finally slipped again.

Clemens has long been known for his unbelievable workouts. They have been considered legend.

But during the weekend, when workout partner Andy Pettite admitted to using human growth hormone (HGH) at least twice in 2002, it begged the next question: Did you do it Roger?

I find it difficult to believe that he didn't.

For years, people have looked at the evidence regarding Barry Bonds. The San Francisco slugger ballooned in size in a few years.

His numbers escalated as well.

Yet, no one, critics or anyone, even thought to think of Clemens when the subject was brought up.

Now, they have no choice but to do so.

I don't want to believe that these players have cheated a game that was once America's past time.

But, it appears that is exactly what happened.

There are other names that appear in the report, but Clemens is the big enchilada. The "big name" everyone expected to see.

It was pleasing to see that some names were not in the report. Frank Thomas' name appeared in the report as being someone that spoke with the commission. But he was not implicated.

Ken Griffey Jr. some may ask? His name hasn't even been mentioned.

Alex Rodriguez? Not included.

Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa? The two players that revived baseball in 1998 with their pursuit of the home run record? Both were only mentioned as players who were asked to fill out a questionnaire only to refuse doing so.

Neither have been mentioned since the report came out as being connected to using performance-enhancing drugs.

Should Hall of Fame voters look at this as vindication for the two sluggers? I think so.

These voters were very unkind to McGwire when he was on the ballot last year.

He admitted using a performance-enhancer when it was spotted in his locker during the 1998 season. But that enhancer was legal at the time and could be purchased by anyone.

But what about Clemens and Bonds? The two names and players everyone is talking about?

Both players had Hall of Fame numbers before this investigation, which essentially turned into a witch hunt.

Let's hope both are treated fairly when they become eligible for the Hall of Fame, just like McGwire should be, or Rafael Palmeiro, a player who has 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, something only Eddie Murray has accomplished.

It's a disgrace that these Hall of Fame voters will hold this against these players. Why didn't these same voters hold it against Gaylord Perry when he admitted (in a book, no less) that he doctored baseballs on a regular basis?

Perry is in the Hall of Fame. And so should all these other players.

The numbers speak volumes and baseball is a sport that relies heavily on numbers. They are sacred.

Still, Clemens has some explaining to do. As stated earlier, Pettite already admitted using HGH. His workout partner, Clemens, now has to look deep.

An admission would probably work wonders for him.