Other Sports McGwire admits steroid use - Page 4

Shag · 01-11-2010, 02:21 PM

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

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."

kcfanXIII · 01-11-2010, 02:56 PM

**** you mark mcgwire! i hope they pete rose your ass...

**jAZ** · 01-11-2010, 02:57 PM

It still amazes me how many people were so eager to deny and excuse the obvious signals of steroid use at the time.

The vast, vast majority of people discussing the issue publicly during the early days of were fans finding any number of rationalizations why this or that guy or record or performance or whatever wasn't because of steroids.

Steroids won't make you hit the ball better. It was a "juiced ball". It was the conditioning. It was this or that.

When you can't get baseball fan to see past their idealism and blind passion for the game and question that maybe baseball players might be abusing steroids, how in the world can we expect the general public to see past any number of examples of BS and lying going on in other areas of public life.

It's threads like this that draw into stark contrast how widespread cognitive dissonance can be.

**BigRedChief** · 01-11-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

Does McGwire really think that admitting to this 12 years after his "historic" '98 season and 5 years since his infamous showing in front of Congress is going to make everything alright?

And at the very least if you are going to finally "come clean" and "talk about the past"... do it in person and face-to-face... not hiding behind a carefully crafted statement.

He is planning a news conference and will answer all questions. Part of the deal with him becoming the hitting instructor.

Deberg_1990 · 01-11-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

It still amazes me how many people were so eager to deny and excuse the obvious signals of steroid use at the time.

The vast, vast majority of people discussing the issue publicly during the early days of were fans finding any number of rationalizations why this or that guy or record or performance or whatever wasn't because of steroids.

Steroids won't make you hit the ball better. It was a "juiced ball". It was the conditioning. It was this or that.

When you can't get baseball fan to see past their idealism and blind passion for the game and question that maybe baseball players might be abusing steroids, how in the world can we expect the general public to see past any number of examples of BS and lying going on in other areas of public life.

It's threads like this that draw into stark contrast how widespread cognitive dissonance can be.

ok thanks. you can go back to your D.C. cave now.

Mr. Laz · 01-11-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I suspect we will continue to see these once Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa come up for the Hall....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

If he held a presser and said: "Yes i did it, and im sorry" he would get in the next year.

well ... he did it.

next year is the year!!!!

McGwire is IN!!!

CoMoChief · 01-11-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

people say that, but it's not true. It's not like baseball was going to go away or something.

Didn't go away, but viewers and people actually going to games decreased dramatically for that time period. compared to what it was like before then

**BigRedChief** · 01-11-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

It's really time to move on. I don't blame the players. I blame baseball. Sports is a business, and players protected their "assets" to the degree the league allowed them to do it.

Baseball knew. MeGwire and Sosa were busy saving baseball and everyone just turned a blind eye to what was occuring.

If you cheated thats a deal breaker with me. You don't deserve a place in the HOF.

wild1 · 01-11-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

It still amazes me how many people were so eager to deny and excuse the obvious signals of steroid use at the time.

The vast, vast majority of people discussing the issue publicly during the early days of were fans finding any number of rationalizations why this or that guy or record or performance or whatever wasn't because of steroids.

Steroids won't make you hit the ball better. It was a "juiced ball". It was the conditioning. It was this or that.

When you can't get baseball fan to see past their idealism and blind passion for the game and question that maybe baseball players might be abusing steroids, how in the world can we expect the general public to see past any number of examples of BS and lying going on in other areas of public life.

It's threads like this that draw into stark contrast how widespread cognitive dissonance can be.

Obviously, people just want to excuse cheaters or their team for employing cheaters. There's always some kind of rationalization you can make rather than accept those two things.

Don't tell me the team didn't know, either. BS

Halfcan · 01-11-2010, 03:05 PM

color me shoked -who is next Jose canseco?

Deberg_1990 · 01-11-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

well ... he did it.

next year is the year!!!!

McGwire is IN!!!

Its possible...more likely he waits a few more years. But he will definately get in now.

L.A. Chieffan · 01-11-2010, 03:07 PM

Cardinal fans make me laugh. If Matrix were here he'd laugh too...
Posted via Mobile Device

Frazod · 01-11-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Cardinal fans make me laugh. If Matrix were here he'd laugh too...
Posted via Mobile Device

Matrix laughs at teams that haven't won a World Series since 1980-something.

Cannibal · 01-11-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Matrix laughs at teams that haven't won a World Series since 1980-something.

Maybe they should get some roid freaks?

blaise · 01-11-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

It still amazes me how many people were so eager to deny and excuse the obvious signals of steroid use at the time.

The vast, vast majority of people discussing the issue publicly during the early days of were fans finding any number of rationalizations why this or that guy or record or performance or whatever wasn't because of steroids.

Steroids won't make you hit the ball better. It was a "juiced ball". It was the conditioning. It was this or that.

When you can't get baseball fan to see past their idealism and blind passion for the game and question that maybe baseball players might be abusing steroids, how in the world can we expect the general public to see past any number of examples of BS and lying going on in other areas of public life.

It's threads like this that draw into stark contrast how widespread cognitive dissonance can be.

Steroids can make your career last longer, get you feeling better in a shorter amount of time as you get older, and they increase strength, so they can improve performance. If they didn't do anything then why did so many players take them, and continue to take them despite the risk of suspension and public humilation? For fun?

Frazod · 01-11-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Maybe they should get some roid freaks?

With that giant payroll, God knows they can afford them.

01-11-2010, 02:21 PM
Shag MVP Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Casino cash: $-1326658	McGwire admits steroid use http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4816607 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."
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01-11-2010, 02:56 PM	#46
kcfanXIII Ride on! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Galaxy far far away Casino cash: $10013172	**** you mark mcgwire! i hope they pete rose your ass... __________________ Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed, overcomes the fear of death.
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01-11-2010, 02:57 PM	#47
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9817493	It still amazes me how many people were so eager to deny and excuse the obvious signals of steroid use at the time. The vast, vast majority of people discussing the issue publicly during the early days of were fans finding any number of rationalizations why this or that guy or record or performance or whatever wasn't because of steroids. Steroids won't make you hit the ball better. It was a "juiced ball". It was the conditioning. It was this or that. When you can't get baseball fan to see past their idealism and blind passion for the game and question that maybe baseball players might be abusing steroids, how in the world can we expect the general public to see past any number of examples of BS and lying going on in other areas of public life. It's threads like this that draw into stark contrast how widespread cognitive dissonance can be.
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01-11-2010, 03:05 PM	#54
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	color me shoked -who is next Jose canseco?
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01-11-2010, 03:07 PM	#56
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $2708654	Cardinal fans make me laugh. If Matrix were here he'd laugh too... Posted via Mobile Device
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