McGwire Admits Steroids Use

[FishFF]

NEW YORK -- Mark McGwire finally came clean Monday, admitting he used steroids when he broke baseball's home run record in 1998.

McGwire said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade.

"I wish I had never touched steroids," McGwire said in a statement. "It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era."

McGwire also used human growth hormone, a person close to McGwire said, speaking on condition of anonymity because McGwire didn't include that detail in his statement.

McGwire's decision to admit using steroids was prompted by his decision to become hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, his final big league team. Tony La Russa, McGwire's manager in Oakland and St. Louis, has been among McGwire's biggest supporters and thinks returning to the field can restore the former slugger's reputation.

"I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come," McGwire said. "It's time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected."

He became the second major baseball star in less than a year to admit using illegal steroids, following the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez last February.

Others have been tainted but have denied knowingly using illegal drugs, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and David Ortiz.

Bonds has been indicted on charges he made false statements to a federal grand jury and obstructed justice. Clemens is under investigation by a federal grand jury trying to determine whether he lied to a congressional committee.

"I'm sure people will wonder if I could have hit all those home runs had I never taken steroids," McGwire said. "I had good years when I didn't take any, and I had bad years when I didn't take any. I had good years when I took steroids, and I had bad years when I took steroids. But no matter what, I shouldn't have done it and for that I'm truly sorry."

Big Mac's reputation has been in tatters since March 17, 2005, when he refused to answer questions at a Congressional hearing. Instead, he repeatedly said "I'm not here to talk about the past" when asked whether he took illegal steroids when he hit a then-record 70 home runs in 1998 or at any other time.

"After all this time, I want to come clean," he said. "I was not in a position to do that five years ago in my congressional testimony, but now I feel an obligation to discuss this and to answer questions about it. I'll do that, and then I just want to help my team."

The person close to McGwire said McGwire made the decision not to answer questions at that hearing on the advice of his lawyers.

McGwire disappeared from the public eye following his retirement as a player following the 2001 season. When the Cardinals hired the 47-year-old as coach on Oct. 26, they said he would address questions before spring training, and Monday's statement broke his silence.

"I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989/1990 offseason and then after I was injured in 1993, I used steroids again," McGwire said in his statement. "I used them on occasion throughout the '90s, including during the 1998 season."

McGwire said he took steroids to get back on the field, sounding much like the Yankees' Andy Pettitte two years ago when he admitted using HGH.

"During the mid-'90s, I went on the DL seven times and missed 228 games over five years," McGwire said in the statement. "I experienced a lot of injuries, including a ribcage strain, a torn left heel muscle, a stress fracture of the left heel, and a torn right heel muscle. It was definitely a miserable bunch of years, and I told myself that steroids could help me recover faster. I thought they would help me heal and prevent injuries, too."

Since the congressional hearing, baseball owners and players toughened their drug program twice, increasing the penalty for a first steroids offense from 10 days to 50 games in November 2005 and strengthening the power of the independent administrator in April 2008, following the publication of the Mitchell Report.

"Baseball is really different now -- it's been cleaned up," McGwire said. "The commissioner and the players' association implemented testing and they cracked down, and I'm glad they did."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4816607

[PitchingWinsGames]

H'well

[Party]

SHOCKED. SIMPLY SHOCKED.

[Beef]

Great, now put him in the Hall of Fame.

I don't like when these guys say things like I shouldn't have done it and for that I am truly sorry. Why not? Other people were doing it, perhaps for health reasons you should not have done it, but I don't think he has to be sorry and I think there are definitely some reasons that would lead him and others to believe that he should have used them.
--------------------
Dave Parker just said there should be a side of the Hall of Fame for those guys who definitely used and then a side for those who did not use.


Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, there is something missing there

[FishFanInPA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f_DPrSEOEo

[FishFF]

Great, now put him in the Hall of Fame.

I don't like when these guys say things like I shouldn't have done it and for that I am truly sorry. Why not? Other people were doing it, perhaps for health reasons you should not have done it, but I don't think he has to be sorry and I think there are definitely some reasons that would lead him and others to believe that he should have used them.
--------------------
Dave Parker just said there should be a side of the Hall of Fame for those guys who definitely used and then a side for those who did not use.


Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, there is something missing there

I'm sure the players that come out wish they could say that, well everyone else was doing it, fuck off. Saying sorry is what the "fans" want to hear. If Mac came out and admitted to steroid use without apologizing he would get a shitload more negative press.

[Beef]

I'm sure the players that come out wish they could say that, well everyone else was doing it, fuck off. Saying sorry is what the "fans" want to hear. If Mac came out and admitted to steroid use without apologizing he would get a shitload more negative press.

Yeah, I agree, I should have said I hate the people that make this the necessary admission

[PitchingWinsGames]

I think baseball fans need to hear someone, a la Canseco, to come out and say what Beef said, though... Yeah, the consensus would be that that person is a villain, but at least it may make more people realize what the situation really was

[KnuckleBalls]

God. Now I guess I have to feel the same way about Mac as I do about Bonds.

[Beef]

I think baseball fans need to hear someone, a la Canseco, to come out and say what Beef said, though... Yeah, the consensus would be that that person is a villain, but at least it may make more people realize what the situation really was

People are too stupid and hypocritical to accept it even if Tim Tebow told it to them

[PitchingWinsGames]

People are too stupid and hypocritical to accept it even if Tim Tebow told it to them

A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow. - Men in Black

man, I hate people...

[FishFF]

God. Now I guess I have to feel the same way about Mac as I do about Bonds.

So Mac coming out has now convinced you? His testimony before congress wasn't enough?

[KnuckleBalls]

So Mac coming out has now convinced you? His testimony before congress wasn't enough?

Nope. I even thought that Sammy Sosa was black at one point.

[marlins_virus.exe]

God. Now I guess I have to feel the same way about Mac as I do about Bonds.
Bonds has never admitted it

[Todd]

Bonds doubling in size, including his head, over the span of a few months makes admitting it kind of pointless.

[CrimsonCane]

I don't think MK7 was speaking in generalities. Given that Knuckleballs gave McGwire the benefit of the doubt despite the fact that McGwire looked like a complete dolt in front of the Senate hearing, admitted using andro, and was grouped with Canseco, it's a tad odd that Barry Bonds (who hasn't divulged anything publicly) would not get similar treatment by Knuckleballs.

Hey, maybe there is a distinguishing factor that I'm missing. Then again, I think we landed on the moon. So, what do I know?

[Namaste]

Bonds doubling in size, including his head, over the span of a few months makes admitting it kind of pointless.



Jeez Todd you pretty much cracked the case right there.

[DropkickAlex]

Ruth and Cobb used corked bats.

Aaron used amphetimes.

Bonds/McGwire used Steroids.

Baseball has always been about getting an edge. Sad? Yeah, but it's part of the game. McGwire should be in the Hall especially if Jackson is in.

[Beef]

The tv would have me believe that this is the first era ever in which people have done anything to gain an edge.

[Party]

Ruth and Cobb used corked bats.

Aaron used amphetimes.

Bonds/McGwire used Steroids.

Baseball has always been about getting an edge. Sad? Yeah, but it's part of the game. McGwire should be in the Hall especially if Jackson is in.

Cap Anson used cocaine.

I'M NOT KIDDING!

[FishFF]

Just watched the clip on espns front page. I actually feel pretty bad for the guy. I'm sure the stress of this steroid shit has tortured him for years. One of the more sincere apologies IMO

[Beef]

Yep, he has always been a sincere guy.

MLBN folks that since he didnt come out and say he only hit those huge homeruns because of the roids that he shouldnt get the forgiveness he wanted.

I hate those people.

[Swifty]

I'm watching the interview with him on MLBN right now, and my God, his neck looks awful. Can't a cosmetic surgeon get right of that?

[Fritz]

Pretty sure when your skin is that damaged, it's at a cellular level and can't even be repaired surgically.

[Branch]

Dock Ellis pitched a no-no on LSD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dock_Ellis#May_1.2C_1974_game_against_Cincinnati

/does this count as performance-enhancing?

(I say yes)

[DropkickAlex]

Gatorade is a PE.

[Bobbob1313]

Ty Cobb beat up a mainge during a game and stabbed a black guy.

I think those are performance enchancers.

[BigGameFish]

So does everyone agree he deserves to be in the HOF? I do. Like DKAlex said, cheating has been a part of the game for over 100 years and there are players who cheated in the HOF. Voters must be dillusional. They piss me off.

[nny]

It's not cheating if you don't get caught
--------------------
Or within the confines of things you can cheat with, like doctoring a ball, that's totally cool

[Bobbob1313]

Either nobody should get in from this era or nobody should be barred. We don't have enough information on who took them, what they took and how much the affected them to bar people.

Jeff bagwell likely gets in in the next few years, and who knows what he did or didn't do. I'm not saying he used, but he's failed as many tests as Sammy and Sammy probably won't get in.

I hate that it's only hitters get this type of treatment, and pitchers are ignored in the steroid era for the most part.

[Beef]

. Voters must be dillusional.

Most everyone is

[BigGameFish]

True but these writers seem to enjoy publicly flaunting their stupidity

[Beef]

But their readers and listeners are too fucking stupid to realize that they are flaunting such stupidity

[BigGameFish]

I dont mind that, if fans and readers dont mind being uninformed that's their problem. My issue is that these hard-headed dumbasses get to determine who is a Hall of Famer and who isnt.

[Beef]

And what they say further molds public opinion

[Madman81]

Either nobody should get in from this era or nobody should be barred. We don't have enough information on who took them, what they took and how much the affected them to bar people.

Jeff bagwell likely gets in in the next few years, and who knows what he did or didn't do. I'm not saying he used, but he's failed as many tests as Sammy and Sammy probably won't get in.

I hate that it's only hitters get this type of treatment, and pitchers are ignored in the steroid era for the most part.

Some hall of fame it would be if it excluded an entire era. What a joke.

[DropkickAlex]

He should be in.

On ESPN they have a poll about whether or not his records should have an asterisk by them, which even my book shouldn't happen.

McGwire had some of the greatest years in baseball history. I was in 4th grade I believe when him and Sammy Sosa tore up the league. That my youth and to be in the HOF you have to be one of the best of an era. Steroids or not, McGwire was one of the best of an era and should of been in the HOF from the get go.

[Beef]

I lowell at the people who say, I FEEL CHEATED NOW

Why? It still happened and you still watched and enjoyed it. If you are a piece of shit that just likes to find reasons for every thing to suck, sure, you can use this to try to ruin an equal amount of time in your life that was enjoyable due to watching the homerun chase and the like. Stupid assholes

[DropkickAlex]

Bagwell is eligible next year right? I believe he should get in. What is weird is he was never really the stand out guy of an era, all of his damage kind of was just behind the scenes.

Another thing that pisses me off about HOF voting. How can you go 14 years of being not a HOFer and on you're last vote, the 15th, be a HOFer? Like seriously Bert Blyleven(Sp?) If you're not a HOFer the first fourteen times, you shouldn't be a HOFer at all. I think this number should be lowered.

As for Alomar/Larkin both of them should of been in last vote. Two of the best at their respective positions.

[CrimsonCane]

Bagwell is eligible next year right? I believe he should get in. What is weird is he was never really the stand out guy of an era, all of his damage kind of was just behind the scenes.

Another thing that pisses me off about HOF voting. How can you go 14 years of being not a HOFer and on you're last vote, the 15th, be a HOFer? Like seriously Bert Blyleven(Sp?) If you're not a HOFer the first fourteen times, you shouldn't be a HOFer at all. I think this number should be lowered.

As for Alomar/Larkin both of them should of been in last vote. Two of the best at their respective positions.

Because voters are stupid. He should've been in way earlier. If you allow stupid people to vote, you need a safety valve to allow people to come to their senses.

[DropkickAlex]

Because voters are stupid. He should've been in way earlier. If you allow stupid people to vote, you need a safety valve to allow people to come to their senses.

Not quite sure, I mean he does have the numbers but I believe it's due to longevity of his career. He really wasn't dominating.

[BigGameFish]

I lowell at the people who say, I FEEL CHEATED NOW

Why? It still happened and you still watched and enjoyed it. If you are a piece of shit that just likes to find reasons for every thing to suck, sure, you can use this to try to ruin an equal amount of time in your life that was enjoyable due to watching the homerun chase and the like. Stupid assholes


I agree with this. Honestly, I dont really care whether he gets in or not, or whether ANYONE gets in or not. I know who the best players are, I dont need some stuck-up asshole sports writers to tell me that. Being a member of the HOF is a personal achievement. It would be good for McGuire but since I'm not Mark McGuire it doesnt really matter to me. But maybe it would be different if he played his career for Florida. I cant be so sure of that, all I can say is if I had a vote I would vote for him (9th all-time OPS). Either way, like I said before, what bothers me most are the idiot sports writers who get to vote. Its frustrating when people like this are given this much authority.
--------------------
Not quite sure, I mean he does have the numbers but I believe it's due to longevity of his career. He really wasn't dominating.

9th highest career OPS. Thats not a cumulative statistic

[DropkickAlex]

BGF...that was towards the Bert Blyleven comment.

[BigGameFish]

Oh sorry

[Jewbility]

It's ok

[Ecpot]

Would he even be in consideration for the Hall of Fame if he didn't use steroids?

[Ramp]

Would he even be in consideration for the Hall of Fame if he didn't use steroids?

I mean this is a guy that hit 49 homers as a rookie

[PitchingWinsGames]

with or without 'roids, I think the dude was basically a lock for 500 HRs, so yeah a likely HOFer

[Namaste]

Barry Bonds won't but should be a first ballot HOF'r. We all pretty much agree on this?

[Ecpot]

And Canseco said they used steroids while they were teammates from '86-'92. '87 being his rookie year.
--------------------
Yeah now Bonds was good before the alleged steroid use, so he proved himself while McGwire didn't.

[Ramp]

Barry Bonds won't but should be a first ballot HOF'r. We all pretty much agree on this?

I think most would agree

[Bobbob1313]

McGwire was contemplating retirement in the early 90's accoring to the Costas interview.

He certainly doesn't play as long if not for roids.

[BigGameFish]

In the early 90's? Wasnt his rookie yeat '87? So he wouldve only played 5-6 seasons?

[Bobbob1313]

In the early 90's? Wasnt his rookie yeat '87? So he wouldve only played 5-6 seasons?

I didn't hear the interview exactly, but Le Batard was saying he said in the interview that he had called his dad in in the early 90's and told him his body couldn't take it anymore.

Which, I suppose would have been the impetus of his steroid use, since he emphasized how he used them to "feel normal".

[BigGameFish]

"I remember calling him in '96"

(chokes up)

"I was so frustrated with injuries.....I wanted to retire"

[Branch]

Jose Canseco is the shit.

[Beef]

Jose Canseco is the shit.

Eh, Jose Canseco goes a bit too far. When you have not turned in your homework and the teacher says "has everybody turned in their homework, he is the kid in class that yells MOSS DIDNT TURN HIS HOMEWORK IN, HE DIDNT DO IT!!!!!

[PitchingWinsGames]

Eh, Jose Canseco goes a bit too far. When you have not turned in your homework and the teacher says "has everybody turned in their homework, he is the kid in class that yells MOSS DIDNT TURN HIS HOMEWORK IN, HE DIDNT DO IT!!!!!

Or, more appropriately, Canseco's the one that informs the teacher that everyone copied off his paper

[nny]

Or, even more appropriately, Canseco's the one that informs the teacher that everyone copied off his paper after he gave his paper to everyone and told them to copy off of it.

[Omar]

More appropriately, Canseco is the one who helps steal the teacher's exam ahead of time, gives it to everyone, then rats them out after the fact in order to guarantee leniency.

[Beef]

So then he is not the shit

[Swifty]

I think Canseco's like the guy that walks out of a job interview, knows he didn't get it, then sees who else is coming in for it and says they all did crystal meth and he knows because he sold it to them.

But back on topic (somewhat), I've said it many times, but Juiced may end up being the most significant sports book written in our lifetime and it certainly is the most significant of the last decade. Whether his motives were pure (I'd say unequivocally they were not) is completely unrelated to how right he has been, and that is significant if for no other reason than without Juiced the perception of the game would likely still be stuck in the mid 90's wink, nod and chuckle about the buffed up sluggers. Juiced is, at least for me, when people got legitimately angry on both sides of the story; the players who were accused were furious, and the general public seemed to have a long overdue collective awakening and were pissed that the numbers they saw were possibly (probably?) chemically created (although I think that's an overrated and overstated element).

[Namaste]

You guys did a very nice job explaining why Canseco is "not the shit". Nice work boys.

[Bobbob1313]

People got mad about steroids before Juiced. They got mad during Bonds' 73 home run season.