Former Maine Senator George Mitchell continues to head up the MLB investigation into steroid and performance-enhancing drug use by players, saying little, but pressing for answers.

His report has no time frame for completion and according to Commissioner Bud Selig, “The mission has not changed.”

Selig’s update on the investigation came recently in a New York Times interview. He was adamant in saying, “I don’t want anybody to think that there’s anything we don’t want people to know. If I was trying to hide something I just would have said hey, it’s done.”

His faith in Mitchell being able to get the answers, even with the players and their association being less than cooperative, comes from both his personal friendship with Mitchell and his undaunted faith in Mitchell’s integrity.

He told Mitchell initially, “Go where ever you want to go, do whatever you want to do,” says Selig. “Whatever he finds, he finds.” Selig’s attitude has not changed.

The task has proven just as difficult as expected as the players’ association has advised players to contact an attorney if they are approached and players are not readily willing to talk, with or without an attorney.

The investigation takes on added importance as Barry Bonds heads toward the all-time home run mark with all the questions about his possible use of artificial help to hit some of those shots.

Just how long Congress will stay out of this issue as it relates to MLB remains uncertain. Congress seems content to let Mitchell have his time to issue findings, but with Texas already preparing to implement drug tests on high school athletes, the interest in the matter is bound to grow politically.

The importance of Mitchell’s report cannot be understated due to the impact it will have on MLB records, testing and fans’ view of the game and players.

If the report is detailed in outlining the use of performance-enhancing drugs, it could be a catalyst for more states to follow Texas. In addition, college level sports are ripe for a far more rigorous testing program, especially if boutique drugs are continuing to be developed to by pass current tests.

While Mitchell continues to conduct his investigation as far from the limelight as possible, the results will be major headlines.

On another matter, as Roger Clemens prepares to return to the Yankee rotation next week, one has to wonder if he thinks about the decision not to go with the Red Sox.

He will surely be asked and it will be interesting to see the words he chooses in answering.

The Yankees hope was he would be the difference between a 90-win year and a 96- or 97-win year, numbers important to make the postseason.

With the Sox charging away from the rest of the East and the Yankees crumbling, those numbers become more of a pipe dream.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.