McGwire admits steroid use

[Shag]

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."

[Frazod]

I seem to have ruffled penchief's pompous east coast feathers a bit.

This thread is about cheaters and unfair advantages. Seriously, how can you have a conversation about cheaters and unfair advantages in baseball WITHOUT talking about the Yankees? Tell us again how a small market team can drop $200,000,000 on payroll and not go broke? When was the last time the Yankees had to worry about another team plucking one of their young home-grown stars when his rookee contract expired because they couldn't afford to keep him? I'm sorry, but dropping payroll from $210,000,000 to $200,000,000 doesn't really mean all that much when you're still about $70,000,000 up on your next closest rival.

Mainly I'm just pointing out that a Yankee fan crying about inequity is the height of hypocrisy. You keep crying about McGwire breaking Maris's record in 1998, but what good did it do him or his team in the long run? The record has long since been broken, and the Cardinals didn't even make the playoffs that year. Gee, refresh my memory - what squad of juicers did win the World Series in 1998? I'll bet you know the answer to that one, don't you? I don't think that trophy going to get melted down in the name of fairness anytime soon, is it?

And I'm not the one dropping butthurts all over the place, Mr. You're Making It Personal. But we can do that if you want.

Buddy.

[2112]

Originally Posted by frazod

I seem to have ruffled penchief's pompous east coast feathers a bit.

This thread is about cheaters and unfair advantages. Seriously, how can you have a conversation about cheaters and unfair advantages in baseball WITHOUT talking about the Yankees? Tell us again how a small market team can drop $200,000,000 on payroll and not go broke? When was the last time the Yankees had to worry about another team plucking one of their young home-grown stars when his rookee contract expired because they couldn't afford to keep him? I'm sorry, but dropping payroll from $210,000,000 to $200,000,000 doesn't really mean all that much when you're still about $70,000,000 up on your next closest rival.

Mainly I'm just pointing out that a Yankee fan crying about inequity is the height of hypocrisy. You keep crying about McGwire breaking Maris's record in 1998, but what good did it do him or his team in the long run? The record has long since been broken, and the Cardinals didn't even make the playoffs that year. Gee, refresh my memory - what squad of juicers did win the World Series in 1998? I'll bet you know the answer to that one, don't you? I don't think that trophy going to get melted down in the name of fairness anytime soon, is it?

And I'm not the one dropping butthurts all over the place, Mr. You're Making It Personal. But we can do that if you want.

Buddy.

Steinbrenner, even though I cant stand him..was a genius for starting the YES network..that channel has been the cash cow that the Yankees are using to pay for all their high priced players and cheating the system..lol

Thats called being a winner baby! woot! I'm quite sure the Cardinals have a huge following all over the country. you for example are in Illinois, right? how do you watch the Cardinal games there?

Fraz I understand your point and frustration to a point. but the Yankees didnt exactly have this fall in their lap. they worked hard to promote and sell the team. which in return brings in huge revenue.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by D2112

Steinbrenner, even though I cant stand him..was a genius for starting the YES network..that channel has been the cash cow that the Yankees are using to pay for all their high priced players and cheating the system..lol

Thats called being a winner baby! woot! I'm quite sure the Cardinals have a huge following all over the country. you for example are in Illinois, right? how do you watch the Cardinal games there?

Fraz I understand your point and frustration to a point. but the Yankees didnt exactly have this fall in their lap. they worked hard to promote and sell the team. which in return brings in huge revenue.

It's a bit hard to compare the Cards' following to the Yankees' following when there are more people living within ten miles of Yankee Stadium then there are in the entire state of Missouri.

Of course, that's not your fault, or penchief's. That's just the way it is. But it's a little hard to take a Yankee fan seriously when they cry about injustice in baseball.

You weren't.

[2112]

Originally Posted by frazod

It's a bit hard to compare the Cards' following to the Yankees' following when there are more people living within ten miles of Yankee Stadium then there are in the entire state of Missouri.

Of course, that's not your fault, or penchief's. That's just the way it is. But it's a little hard to take a Yankee fan seriously when they cry about injustice in baseball.

You weren't.

LOL! Good point..We also have more than one team for each sport too..which I guess kind of makes up a lil bit for that..I hadnt read the thread, I just saw your last post. Im gonna read it now..lol

[2112]

Originally Posted by frazod

Yeah, a miserable team with more than double the championships of any other team in baseball. I always wonder how you New York people were able to find the strength to soldier on through the lean years.

Modern day Yankee fans (youngins) are spoiled (penchief) lol..I remember the dark days of horace clark and ron bloomberg..I even went to a bat day double header against the world champion Oakland a's in shea stadium in 1974

[Frazod]

As a Cardinal fan I'm embarrassed by McGwire. I wish he'd just go away and stay there, but now he's back with the team as a coach so here we go with all this bullshit. I'm just getting tired of the media (and certain people on this board) demonizing him like he was some ****ing ax murderer. Sure he cheated, but God knows he was not alone. And he did win a World Series (for Oakland) while juicing, but since the Bonds-embracing Giants were the victims in that, it's a bit hard to feel sorry for them. All his juiced HRs never did the Cardinals any good in the long run, and at the end of his career, he hurt us more than he helped us.

[savchief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

If you really want to get technical, neither amphetamine or steroid use was ever cheating (not until 2003, anyway). The use of those drugs without a prescription was against the law, but they were never against the rules of the sport (and both were widely endorsed by the MLB establishment for years).

That's actually a myth.

In 1991, Vincent sent a groundbreaking memorandum to all MLB clubs regarding the use of steroids, although he really did not consider steroids to be a major problem at the time. Vincent merely wanted to lay the groundwork for an attempt to control the entire drug and potential steroid problem, i.e., he was being proactive with regard to steroids. In his memorandum, Vincent emphasized, "There is no place for illegal drugs in baseball. Their use by players and others in baseball can neither be condoned nor tolerated. Baseball players and personnel cannot be permitted to give even the slightest suggestion that illegal drug use is either acceptable or safe. It is the responsibility of all baseball players and personnel to see to it that the use of illegal drugs does not occur, and if it does, to put a stop to it."

Commissioner Vincent's memorandum contained the following provisions:
• The possession, sale, or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by major league players and personnel is strictly prohibited. Those involved in the possession, sale, or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance are subject to discipline by the commissioner and risk permanent expulsion from the game.
• In addition to any discipline this office may impose, a club may also take action under applicable provisions of and special covenants to the uniform player's contract. This prohibition applies to all illegal drugs and controlled substances, including steroids or prescription drugs for which the individual in possession of the drug does not have a prescription.
• MLB recognizes that illegal drug use has become a national problem, and that some players and baseball personnel may fall victim to drugs. Baseball will not hesitate to permanently remove from the game those players and personnel who, despite our efforts to treat and rehabilitate, refuse to accept responsibility for the problem and continue to use illegal drugs. If any club covers up or otherwise fails to disclose to this office any information concerning drug use by a player, that club will be fined $250,000, the highest allowable amount under the Major League Agreement.
• MLB believes that its testing program is the most effective means available to deter and detect drug use. For admitted or detected drug users, testing will be a component of that individual's after-care program for the balance of his or her professional baseball career.
• This office will continue to search for positive and constructive methods of dealing with drug use. While baseball will attempt to treat and rehabilitate any player or personnel who falls victim to a drug problem, we will not hesitate to impose discipline, especially in those cases involving repeated offenses or refusals to participate in a recommended and appropriate course of treatment.
• If any club has a question about any aspect of the drug use program, please contact Louis Melendez, Associate Counsel, Major League Baseball Player Relations Committee.

Sincerely,
Francis T. Vincent Jr.
Commissioner, Major League Baseball


CC: League Presidents
Player Relations Committee
Major League Baseball Players Association
(Source: Don Weiskopt, 2006, What if Fay Vincent Remained Baseball Commissioner? Baseball Play America)

Steroid TESTING was not conducted until 2003

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by savchief

That's actually a myth.

In 1991, Vincent sent a groundbreaking memorandum to all MLB clubs regarding the use of steroids, although he really did not consider steroids to be a major problem at the time. Vincent merely wanted to lay the groundwork for an attempt to control the entire drug and potential steroid problem, i.e., he was being proactive with regard to steroids. In his memorandum, Vincent emphasized, "There is no place for illegal drugs in baseball. Their use by players and others in baseball can neither be condoned nor tolerated. Baseball players and personnel cannot be permitted to give even the slightest suggestion that illegal drug use is either acceptable or safe. It is the responsibility of all baseball players and personnel to see to it that the use of illegal drugs does not occur, and if it does, to put a stop to it."

Commissioner Vincent's memorandum contained the following provisions:
• The possession, sale, or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by major league players and personnel is strictly prohibited. Those involved in the possession, sale, or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance are subject to discipline by the commissioner and risk permanent expulsion from the game.
• In addition to any discipline this office may impose, a club may also take action under applicable provisions of and special covenants to the uniform player's contract. This prohibition applies to all illegal drugs and controlled substances, including steroids or prescription drugs for which the individual in possession of the drug does not have a prescription.
• MLB recognizes that illegal drug use has become a national problem, and that some players and baseball personnel may fall victim to drugs. Baseball will not hesitate to permanently remove from the game those players and personnel who, despite our efforts to treat and rehabilitate, refuse to accept responsibility for the problem and continue to use illegal drugs. If any club covers up or otherwise fails to disclose to this office any information concerning drug use by a player, that club will be fined $250,000, the highest allowable amount under the Major League Agreement.
• MLB believes that its testing program is the most effective means available to deter and detect drug use. For admitted or detected drug users, testing will be a component of that individual's after-care program for the balance of his or her professional baseball career.
• This office will continue to search for positive and constructive methods of dealing with drug use. While baseball will attempt to treat and rehabilitate any player or personnel who falls victim to a drug problem, we will not hesitate to impose discipline, especially in those cases involving repeated offenses or refusals to participate in a recommended and appropriate course of treatment.
• If any club has a question about any aspect of the drug use program, please contact Louis Melendez, Associate Counsel, Major League Baseball Player Relations Committee.

Sincerely,
Francis T. Vincent Jr.
Commissioner, Major League Baseball


CC: League Presidents
Player Relations Committee
Major League Baseball Players Association
(Source: Don Weiskopt, 2006, What if Fay Vincent Remained Baseball Commissioner? Baseball Play America)

Steroid TESTING was not conducted until 2003

Excellent post.

I've mentioned this several times in the past, mostly in the Bond's threads, and it gets ignored.

Rep.

[Demonpenz]

it's fun to go back and play super baseball 2020 for super nintindo, we aren't even close to what was predicted in that video game. If you remember that video game the entire crowd is encased in glass no homeruns but to centerfield and you could rob home runs via a lanch pad in center

[wild1]

I don't consider the Yankees cheaters. They are not doing anything other than what the system is set up to allow. They pay their players, they pay the luxury tax, they can win a World Series every decade or so and get the worst ROI of any team on player salaries, and do it all with a clear conscience.

[penchief]

Originally Posted by frazod

I seem to have ruffled penchief's pompous east coast feathers a bit.

This thread is about cheaters and unfair advantages. Seriously, how can you have a conversation about cheaters and unfair advantages in baseball WITHOUT talking about the Yankees? Tell us again how a small market team can drop $200,000,000 on payroll and not go broke? When was the last time the Yankees had to worry about another team plucking one of their young home-grown stars when his rookee contract expired because they couldn't afford to keep him? I'm sorry, but dropping payroll from $210,000,000 to $200,000,000 doesn't really mean all that much when you're still about $70,000,000 up on your next closest rival.

Mainly I'm just pointing out that a Yankee fan crying about inequity is the height of hypocrisy. You keep crying about McGwire breaking Maris's record in 1998, but what good did it do him or his team in the long run? The record has long since been broken, and the Cardinals didn't even make the playoffs that year. Gee, refresh my memory - what squad of juicers did win the World Series in 1998? I'll bet you know the answer to that one, don't you? I don't think that trophy going to get melted down in the name of fairness anytime soon, is it?

And I'm not the one dropping butthurts all over the place, Mr. You're Making It Personal. But we can do that if you want.

Buddy.

I see. Because I'm a Yankee fan since youth I'm not entitled to an opinion lest I'm a hypocrite. Even though I feel the same way about anyone who juiced and even though I want a salary cap.

Yet you overlook those points in favor of personal insinuations. According to you I'm pompous, a hypocrite, and throwing stones from a glass house just because I'm a Yankee fan.

I think you are the one that took it personal.
Posted via Mobile Device

[L.A. Chieffan]

McGwire as a hitting coach...lolz. Other than juiced-up HRs, he wasnt even that great of a hitter. Whats he gonna tell his guys when they start to go in a slump?

"Don't worry man, next week is the end of your flush cycle bro."

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by penchief

Why is this all of a sudden about the Yankees? I don't begrudge fans of other teams their resentment toward the Yankees. But listening to how butthurt you are leads me to believe that you must really admire McGwire for what he did. That must have been a special moment for you when he broke Maris' record knowing that he could have only done it with the help of steroids.

Don't care at all about McGwire. I'm really more of a Bonds fan.

By the way, if you want to get technical the Yankees never won a penant with the likes of Giambi, Sheffield, or Rodriguez when he was juicing. If you want to put an asterik by the penants they won when Roger Clemens was on the team be my guest. If it ever gets to the point where they give asteriks to teams and the Yankees deserve one I won't have a problem with it.

The Yankees never would have won the World Series last year without proven steroid users in ARod and Pettitte. Asterisk.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by savchief

That's actually a myth.

No, it isn't a myth. Memos sent out by commissioners don't constitute an actual change to the rules. In order for something to become a rule, it has to be agreed upon by the MLBPA in CBA negotiations. That never happened until 2003. Hence, taking steroids was never against the rules of baseball, and by accounts of baseball people at the time, it was widely encouraged by the establishment.

[Consistent1]

Glad somebody bumped this. I was just thinking earlier after posting on the Royals thread. Could Lincecums Cy Young awards be tainted? Seriously think here. He is a smaller dude, throws hard. His body has to take a beating. Now let's say that he has smoked pot to simply relax, sleep better, increase appetite to get in more protein for recovery. If he is able to be more effective in more starts without injury due to rest and relaxation, is it not the same? Weed is clearly illegal. I could give a flying **** less myself, what do you think? This could be true in all sports because weed is always popular with the athletes. What if Hammerin Hank was tokin to chill when he broke the all-time record? Let's just throw out all the record because all kinds of shit is possible NOW, and the old school players were all great guys...Did crack and coke for guys like LT enhance performance? It sounds crazy, but what if if it fueled his passion to play hard and bring in the cash.....