A huge buzz was created on Thursday when former U.S. Senator George Mitchell released the now infamous ?Mitchell Report?, an investigation into the steroids' era compiled over a twenty-month period. Some of the names weren?t the least bit surprising (Rick Ankiel, Barry Bonds and Paul Byrd), while others were rather eye-opening (Eric Gagne, Paul Lo Duca and Andy Pettitte). Nearly ninety names were mentioned in the report, with some weighing more heavily than others. I?ve taken the liberty of separating the more famous names into three different categories: The Obvious, The Surprising and The Unnecessary. The Obvious Rick Ankiel - It was reported in September that Ankiel, who was in the process of making an inspiring comeback as a pitcher-turned-outfielder, had ordered human growth hormone twice in 2004. Ankiel claimed that the drug was taken under the supervision of a doctor. The news ruined the top feel-good story of the 2007 season, ensuring that we?d see his name on this report. Barry Bonds - Bud Selig probably would have personally wrung Mitchell?s neck if Bonds? name didn?t appear somewhere inside his four-hundred page report. For all intents and purposes, Barry?s picture could have been featured on the title page of the former Senator?s findings. Ken Caminiti - No investigating is needed to put Caminiti?s name in the same sentence as the word ?steroids?. The former MLB third baseman, who is now deceased, admitted to Sports Illustrated several years ago that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his Major League career. Jose Canseco - Canseco is another admitted-steroid user. The absence of his name in Mitchell?s report would have severely diminished his credibility as an author. He penned a memoir in 2005 entitled ?Juiced?. Jason Giambi - Giambi hasn?t been vilified quite as badly as Bonds, but his face did grace the cover of ?The Game of Shadows? the best-selling literary effort of San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams. Giambi reportedly admitted to a grand jury that he used steroids but maintains that he hasn?t injected since 2003. Rafael Palmeiro - Rafael?s embarrassing display in front of Congress seemed to doom his fate as a suspected steroid user a few years ago. As if his testimony wasn?t bad enough, less than three months after appearing before Congress he tested positive for steroids. Gary Sheffield - Along with Bonds and Giambi, Sheffield?s name has been linked to BALCO and Vice President Jim Valente. In his 2007 book, he claimed he thought he was receiving vitamins from the company, not steroids. The Surprising Kevin Brown - Brown was introduced to steroids by a handful L.A. Dodgers who were linked to performance-enhancing drugs back near the turn of the new millennium. What?s strange is that Brown had a tough time remaining on the mound following the years in question ? not a characteristic of a user who often benefits from quicker recovery times. Roger Clemens - It obvious that some suspected Clemens of using steroids, but there was never any substantial evidence against him. It certainly would help explain why Clemens has been able to maintain such a high level of play at his age. Of all the players mentioned, except maybe Bonds, his Hall of Fame resume stands to lose the most credibility. Jack Cust - A teammate of fellow-user Larry Bigbie in 2003, Cust?s recent refreshing rise to the Major League elite stands to be tainted by the appearance of his name in the report. Cust still has yet to admit using, but the damage has already been done. Eric Gagne - Along with Brown and Paul Lo Duca, Gagne belonged to a group of Dodgers who reportedly used performance-enhancers at the turn of the century. It isn?t yet known when Gagne used the performance-enhancing drugs, but his Cy Young performance in 2003 doesn?t seem as respectable any more. Chuck Knoblauch - A former Yankee trainer implicated Knoblauch in the report, claiming that he injected the utility player several times during the 2001 season. Knoblauch may have purchased the drugs through Jason Grimsley, an admitted user. Paul Lo Duca - Lo Duca made several HGH purchases while catching for the L.A. Dodgers, reportedly obtaining the drugs for teammates Brown and Gagne as well. His best seasons seem to have come before he began using, but his numerous all-star appearances will be marred, nonetheless. Andy Pettitte - After seeing Clemens? name on the list, the likelihood of catching Pettitte?s name increased exponentially. He reportedly injected in 2002 to help heal an elbow injury, getting HGH through the same source as Yankee teammate Knoblauch. The scary thing is that Andy has continued to use the trainer in question. He has since admitted to using HGH. Brian Roberts - Roberts declined to speak with investigators but was mentioned in the report thanks to testimonial by Bigbie. He wasn?t widely suspected to be a steroid user, but it explains his sudden ability to remain on the field following the period of time in question. He admitted to having taken steroids in 2003. From 2004-2007 he missed just 52 games, after sitting out 261 times in the three prior seasons. Miguel Tejada - The Houston Astros may have gotten a little more than they bargained for in the former AL MVP shortstop. A former, much lesser-known, teammate told investigators that he give Tejada HGH back in 2003. If the timing is correct, it indicates that Tejada won the MVP clean as a member of the Oakland A?s. The Unnecessary David Bell - Sports Illustrated reported early this year that Bell purchased six packages of a hormone typically used by women during pregnancy back in 2005. He played 150 games for the Phillies that year but played a total of just 145 over the last two seasons for Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Gary Bennett Jr. - Bennett has played sparingly during his twelve years in the Major Leagues, mainly as a back-up catcher. He was linked to HGH when he was with the Rockies in 2002 and recently signed with the Dodgers. Gary played in 90 games for Colorado that year and then 96 for the Padres in 2003, the two highest totals of his career. Chris Donnels - You?re probably wondering who Donnels is, the basic point of the ?Unnecessary? section. He admitted to the Mitchell Commission that he used HGH and/or steroids from 2001 to 2003. It seems to have helped his career tremendously. Glenallen Hill - Hill told investigators that he bought steroids several years ago while he was with the Yankees because he was suffering from ?martial stress?. Hill was last seen as the Rockies? first-base coach; his current martial status is unknown. Nook Logan - It?s not all about power but maintaining speed and health, as well. Logan has never played in more than 129 games in any of his four major league seasons. However, he did steal 23 bases last season. Armando Rios - Victor Conte told the I.R.S. that Rios was one of the major league players who bought ?the clear? and ?the cream? directly from him. The 190-pounder hasn?t been seen in the Major Leagues since 2003, when he played in 49 games for the White Sox. What?s your take on the Mitchell Report? [email protected]