So, Mark McGwire actually admitted to using steroids while playing Major League Baseball. It is about frigging time. The entire PLANET knew he was using, he just did not have the testicular fortitude to own up to it.However, he is still lying to himself, as well as the rest of us, by saying the steroids did not affect his game whatsoever. He claims it was merely to recover from injuries and the wear and tear of the game and workouts. "There is not a pill or injection that can give the hand/eye coordination to hit a ball." Well Mark, the pills and injections provide you with the muscle to launch a ball into the stratosphere. And THAT, sir, impacted your game significantly.
Granted, McGwire was facing pitchers who were also juicing, so it was sort of a level playing field. Plus, the list of players who were using is long and distinguished. But still, come on man, just completely admit it.
Does this enhance his Hall Of Fame campaign? Some say yes. Buster Olney of ESPN says that the announcement firmly cements the fact he will never make it in. Not quite sure in my own mind. I remember watching his run to break 61. I cheered for him because he was a nice guy and could mash a ball like few we had ever seen before. I would love to see him in the Hall to represent the Steroid Era. Put him in and fully disclose how he got there. Praise his accomplishments and condemn his steroid use.
What do you think?
Great article and perspective!
ReplyDeleteTo tell you the truth I am rather sick of the discussion, and feel that the media is beating a dead horse. But maybe its because i am not a diehard baseball fan, don't get me wrong, i love the sport and attend several games a year, but compared to many who breathe it, i am off the chart.
I absolutely respect clemens and all the others for feeling cornered to say they didn't use it. They have their entire career and reputation on the line. They can't go back and fix it! When you have worked hard to accomplish what you have, wether you used drugs or not, they are staking their records and possible hall of fame on the line. Like Mancavern said, they were hitting balls from pitchers who were also using. In fact if we could get everyone to tell the truth of who was using ...what what the percentage who used to those who didn't be?
But on the flip side, if i was Mark, i think i would have come forward when all the accusations arose, and just say, "Yes, i am embarrassed to stand here and tell you all that i did use steroids, but most of the entire league did, we were all wrong to do so, but thats what was going on then. That doesn't deafer from the fact that those who did well, most likely still would have, maybe not to the same degree, but we would have been the same guys that you would cheer on as we smack the balls out of the park!. Performance enhancing drugs of any kind should not be used, we have learned from our mistakes, and i hope the league will continue to make take the correct actions to ensure its not being used. As for myself and others of our generation, please respect our hard work and effort, for although we tampered with the game, it needs to just be understood that, those where the times, and we need to accept it for what it is."
The efforts taken to by the media and the league are way out of hand, the players should come forward, admit their faults. The league should make sure its clean from here on in, and those who played from that generation should still be able to get into hall of fame, but perhaps with a star next to their name, reminding us that their records are based on the probability that steroids were being used.
Thats just my thoughts, anyone agree?