At the Letters: McGwire pumps up opinion

Mark McGwire apologized this week for having been burdened by a body so broken down that he was forced to buy and inject illegal steroids in order to play baseball, but fortunately they did nothing to enhance his performance, so there's no need to worry about skewed statistics or uneven playing fields or him actually contributing to the ugliest era the sport has ever seen.

Mark McGwire, pictured in the historic 1998 season, came clean about his steroids use.
(Getty Images)

That, of course, came as a huge relief to many of us, who'd come to believe McGwire was granted the opportunity to cheat through science, grabbed it and didn't look back until he'd hit 70 home runs in a season, nearly 600 in his career and was universally adored.

Because that would have been unseemly.

While none of this – the fact McGwire did indeed ingest illegal performance-enhancing substances and that given the proper motivation (a chance to return to the game) he would say he regretted it – was a surprise, it certainly did qualify as news, and did engender its share of reactions.

I'd have felt better about it had McGwire not rued his misfortune to have played in the era, as if he were a victim of it rather than an accomplice. I'd have felt better had he admitted he took the drugs because he wanted to be a better player. I'd have felt better had he come forward long before now.

Of course, not everyone cares what I'd feel better about.

As usual, my observations follow the beatings.

McGwire's feckless admission is too late

The majority of regular folks out here in Middle America don't care whether McGwire's admission went far enough or not. We have the unique ability, unlike baseball writers apparently, to put ourselves in other people's shoes when judging them. Were I in McGwire's shoes, I might well have done the same thing. You (baseball writers) are a ridiculous bunch of people, that seem to take yourselves and your subject-matter way too seriously. This isn't about war or people losing their jobs, it's sports, that's all. Just have a drink and get over it. We have.

Brian Bates
Detroit

Yeah, Bud Selig tried that and it didn't sit well with fans, writers, Congress.

While I appreciate your opinion on casting a lion's share of the blame of the steroids era on the players who used, I feel you, and most columnists for that matter, fail to cast the blame on one crucial block of people. Me and my friends, the fans. We willingly looked the other way despite mounting piles of evidence throughout the era. And now we all have the audacity to claim that we were fooled and that all of these athletes cheated us. We only cheated ourselves in our willingness to never look at what was being done with any questions. Thus, for all of us to sit here and say we were cheated as fans is just as disingenuous as every player who took the substances in the first place.

Jason Flaum
Houston

Careful, Jason, accountability will only get you into more trouble.

We spent years of our lives patronizing sports; or is it steroids? All of the hours, if I could only take them back.

Elio

HGH might actually help there, Elio.

I do not have a question. I just read your article about Mark McGwire coming forward about his steroid use. Granted, everyone knew he used. Also, granted, I am a McGwire fan and have been since I was 9 years old, so I take his defense. However, I think your column is way off. Did you ever play sports? Home runs are not manufactured in a lab. If so, I wish I had taken chemistry at your school. Steroids of course make you stronger and faster, but they do not give you the God-given talent to place a 2 3/8-inch round wood stick on a 3-inch ball traveling upwards of 90 mph. Home runs from a lab!! Are you crazy! This guy was huge and was hitting home runs before the 'roid craze of the mid- 90s. Did his home runs become skyscraper, moon shots. Yes! And lots of us paid money to see it happen.

John Abel
Martin, Tenn.

I'm sorry, John, I sort of lost track of which side of the argument you're on.

I know we apparently live in a society where countless numbers of people are given a second, and sometimes a third, and sometimes a fourth chance at redemption, but what they did, and what they said about what they did, is the part that prohibits me from forgiving and forgetting. They have made a mockery out of baseball, and baseball history, and for that, every "super-human" achievement I read about or see is and will forever be subject to speculation and skepticism. Barry Bonds(notes): The Home Run King? Not a chance. I don't know if you're one of the baseball writers who get to vote on Hall of Fame selections, but if you are, I can only hope there are more like you. And, you know what? I think there are. Thanks.

Bill Holecek
Camarillo, Calif.

On the bright side, Mac's heel feels better.

I understand everyone's objection to the apology but think most people are angry because they were duped. When baseball was dying no one was worrying about how or why so many home runs were being hit. They only knew that it was bringing baseball back from the dead. I think to some degree people should get off their high horse and move on. Now that McGwire has come clean, will Roger be next?

Bill Breedlove
Laurel, Md.

Oh, boy, you're next on the defamation-of-character-suit list, pal.

The steroid hitters were hitting home runs off of steroid pitching. Good for them!

Kenny Graeber
Oxford, Miss.

Yeah, let God sort 'em out!

I too heard that "I wish I had not played in the steroids era" quote and was just rubbed the wrong way by it. I would have more respect for him if he had just come clean and said, "I cheated and it was wrong." What have we taught the kids from this? Cover your you know what and don't admit wrongdoing. Really, we all knew this was coming, but I think he managed to lower himself in my eyes with his lack of responsibility.

Lou Nadeau
Worcester, Mass.

I'm with you, Lou. He had his chance and whiffed it. Not too late to double back though, right?

As a McGwire fan in general and someone who takes the libertarian view on steroids, I was excited about Mac's chance to redeem himself. What did happen in that interview was nothing short of appalling. Crying shamefully in the hot seat opposite [Bob] Costas, McGwire failed to contraindicate the idea that he had never done anything wrong. Using his own logic, we can deduce that steroids are an important physical therapy tool – certainly not worth the tears of sorrow running down his face. McGwire's lips were telling us that he could've done this on his own. His body language told of a man who had disgraced both the game and himself. What was the "steroid era" if not a PED-infused power surge in MLB? Was it 10 years of rapid recovery and players actualizing their "God-given" gifts? Why lament that?

Nicolas Tomboulides
Trumbull, Conn.

Costas just does that to people. It's like a Vulcan thing or something.

Thanks for telling it like it is about McGwire. The way people over the years, such as La Russa and others who wanted something from him, lined up to defend him and tried to construct the legend of his accomplishments on and off the field was tiresome. The defects in his character have been obvious to any serious observer for quite some time and their antics have been almost as despicable as his. There are times when harsh judgment and shaming are appropriate. Let the shaming begin. We can work on forgiveness later after better, more genuine, apologies are made.

Pete Young

Roger? Barry?

You completely ignored the reason why he did not confess in 2005. You also completely ignored the confirmed statement that he wanted to come clean at that Congressional hearing, but that he was not able to acquire immunity. … And waste your time in 1998? I was enthralled and so were you. Waste your time last night? Why watch then? Why post an article? He didn't waste your time, he contributed to your financial stability by allowing you to report in a fashion of negativity with the sole aim of humiliating a humiliated man and garnering attention. … At least you don't get a HOF vote, not because you won't vote McGwire in, but because in your attitude you wouldn't vote anyone in with whom you have a casual dislike towards for any mistake they may have made. Hell, would you have even voted for Alomar this year?

David Reynolds
Boston

I've, uh, got bad news for you there on the Hall of Fame voting front, Dave. And, yes, I voted for Roberto Alomar.

I am not so sure that you are a sports writer, or a sports hater. As I have read your column, you appear to have udder disdain for any famous athlete.

Linda

Come on, Linda, don't have a cow.

Amazing how they all become the victim after they screw up.

Dan
Margate, Fla.

The American way, Dan. Tomorrow he'll be a TV analyst.

You reporters are such huge hypocrites. For years, you cry out that everyone who used PEDs should speak out and admit the truth and everything will be OK. Then as soon as they do, the media lynch mob swarms the guy with more false accusations and athlete bashing. If you don't like McGwire, that's fine. But you don't have any proof of what he did or his mindset. Cuz if you had any facts, we would have put the steroids era behind us. Unfortunately, the 1st Amendment allows you to exist. By the way, Sarah Palin got a job on Fox News. I'm sure you can too!

Paul
Las Vegas

That U.S. Constitution is a real nut to crack.

Back when he played there were no rules against steroids or performance-enhancing drugs. So he finally comes out and admits it. Big deal, everyone knew he took them as well as many other players in that era that haven't been named. Babe Ruth use to come to the ballpark drunk and play, who cares? It still takes a skill to play baseball the way they did. Get out of the past and try writing something interesting about the present day.

Tim Shelabarger
Springfield, Ill.

I'm not here to talk about the present.

Your column says volumes about how useless a degree in journalism is in today's sports. Sounds like you were schooled in the Rush Limbaugh school of journalism. How sad and how unfair.

Anthony Goins
Battle Creek, Mich.

I was going to go there, but the football team wasn't very good.

Mark McGwire will always be known as a great baseball player. Will you ever be known as a great writer? I doubt it.

David Shirtzinger
Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Dang, that kind of stung a little.

Dear Mr. Tim Brown, CONGRATULATIONS for writing such an outstanding article as regards Mark McGwire! Every word, every sentence was direct and to the point! I have never seen such a forthright article printed on sports in my lifetime, and I am 69 years old! OUTSTANDING! A huge thanks.

Doug Innes
Kalamazoo, Mich.

Well, well, Mr. Shirtzinger …

No question, just a comment. You're a complete and total ass. You sit in judgment of McGwire as if you've lived a pristine life. Get over yourself. … I guess you have this big forum so you have to write something. How about telling the rest of us just how great you are in your personal life.

TK
Lexington, Ky.

Maybe I'll just have my man Doug Innes take over from here.

I agree with you on your view of Mark McGwire's time-wasting apology. The only thing that could change my view of his apology being totally self-serving is if he had announced that 50 percent of his earnings, during the decade of steroid use, were being donated to help educate young athletes on the danger of drug use and the importance of personal morals.

Janet Hamblen
Atlanta

You know, if you're going to start making sense …

At what point do you recognize that the guy made a huge mistake, eventually confessed and apologized and then stop kicking him? Should he have continued to lie? Is he really fully to blame? Personally, as an athlete who blew out his shoulder several years ago, I understand the temptation to use any available means to try and repair your body during your physical prime. McGwire had a nagging heel/Achilles' injury and likely resorted to corticosteroids to help the healing process. I suspect that during this course of medication, he was working out, looked at his physique in the mirror and said, "Damn!" Then he made the mistake of using drugs. He lost his nerve in front of Congress, but unlike Palmeiro with his finger-wagging, didn't lie, just jellied out. Eventually, he confesses, apologizes, then deals with the fecal hurricane of the fallout. I wonder how many journalists who were ready to be McGwire's best buddy in 1998 are the same people who are now offering nothing but inflammatory dreck and smug self righteousness? THAT percentage might approach Mac's fielding percentage. Friends like that make James Carville look steadfast. Sheesh.

Dean Goss
Jericho, Vt.

That's nothing to be trifled with, either. I've seen fecal hurricanes take out entire trailer parks.

Why do you question the moral fiber of these players? When in fact, you would have made the same choice as they? In order to get paid, you had to be a cut above the rest. How do you get there? Steroids. You taking this high road is just as bad as Congress. Who the hell are you to question anyone? I am tired of all this blame being put on 700 baseball players to care for America's youth. That's the parents' job, not pre-madonna baseball players and jerk sports columnists like you.

Randal
Kingston, Ontario

I'd like to point out that a good number of these players actually came along post-Madonna.

Like McGwire is gonna be able to tell anything to Albert Pujols(notes).

Tom Timmins
New Fairfield, Conn.

And then there's that.