Posted on 03/17/2005 12:17:34 PM PST by Cagey
WASHINGTON (AP) - Retired slugger Mark McGwire Thursday told a congressional panel investigating drugs in baseball that he would not "participate in naming names" of players who used steroids. McGwire did not say in his opening statement to the House Government Reform Committee whether he used steroids.
Two current players, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro, said they never used steroids. That duo and McGwire were accused of using performance-enhancing drugs by Jose Canseco in a best-selling book that helped prompt the hearing.
In a tense scene, Canseco sat at the same table as the other players as he told the lawmakers that he could not fully answer their questions because of concerns his testimony could be used against him.
Choking back tears, his voice cracking, McGwire said he knows that steroid use can be dangerous and will do whatever he can to discourage young athletes from using them.
"What I will not do, however, is participate in naming names and implicating my friends and teammates," said McGwire, who ranks sixth in major league history with 583 homers.
Interestingly enough, this is one alternative explanation for Kerry's refusal to be honest about his record and make public his secret, hidden official military records. The thesis says that while Kerry was a leader/member of Vietnam Vets Against the War (VVAW) he regually informed (he and we all thought he was Irish then, anyway) on his friends and colleagues in the organization and on the evil Viet Cong folks as he regularly met with them and communicated with during and after the war.
Kerry is a traitor one way or another. He betrayed his country and/or he betrayed his friends. Either way, he can't be trusted. Kerry is a traitor (whay else would he continue to hide his records?)!
Mark McGwire has been a prolific home run hitter since his first at bat. When he was a kid. He has been among the league leaders his entire career.
You can speculate without evidence, and twist someone's words, but until there's proof or an admission, I'm going to take him at his word.
I honestly don't see the problem with professional players using steroids. It pushes forward the boundaries of the game. It'd probably be a lot safer, too, if steroid stacks and cycles had to be revealed and reviewed by doctors.
please have someone post that pic of the HR ball ricochetting off Jose's dome into the stands.
Amen
flex this Selig
oh, I think your reaction tells me that you believe he never used..... if your watching this you can tell he used. He does not want to talk about that past.. just positive ... this is a SNL skit for sure.
What was the "lie" you were "sold"?
Because the Maris family followed a 'roid freak around the country to watch him break the record their father earned honestly.
What was "dishonest" about the way McGwire broke Maris's record? (FYI: Having steroids in one's body was not against the rules of baseball in 1998.)
If you are a sports fan you'd understand.
I am and I don't.
["Why do you care?
Because we were sold a lie by the 'roid users and baseball. Because the Maris family followed a 'roid freak around the country to watch him break the record their father earned honestly. If you are a sports fan you'd understand.]
Exactly!!
I have a son playing college ball right now. He's one of the smallest on the team and refuses to do anything unnatural to enhance his size. He would love to be a big leaguer one day, but knows the odds are against it. It's hard enough to make it to the bigs, but the odds shrink even more if you refuse to 'roid-up. Take a look around at the players in the minors and up. After college...these guys start growing like weeds.
anti-trust?? hmm, hard to trust baseball I say. These players were not invisible to Major League Baseball. Steroid use goes on today and it has for a long time. Will this little expose change anything...I doubt it. MLB has become all about the money. Their new "policy" is laughable. It does not do much of anything to truly discourage the use of perfomance enhancing drugs. At best, it's window dressing.
But the players will win out. They will get what they want...they always do. So now...Just ONE MORE thing we parents will be responsible for "not letting our kids" imitate...
I've heard people use the same sort of logic to claim that George Bush used cocaine.
You mean like national tort reform, national education standards, internet porn regulation, and marital issues?
It doesn't bother me at all, it's within the rules of the game, and there is a traditional understanding in baseball that players affected by rules changes are often grandfathered. It happened with Burliegh Grimes and the spitball, as well as with batting helmets, IIRC.
Notice he's smaller than his playing days.
Good parent. I agree with you. WTG!
Shilling just called Jose a liar, straight up!
So far, I am really dissapointed in some of these players' reactions. Hey, if you used, fess up. You're not Gods. I think they're just mad at Jose for telling what everybody already knows.
Shilling shaking his head "no" as Jose is testifying that 80% used back when he played.
I agree!
getting ugly now. Liar liar pants on fire time
Curt Shilling should run for Congress!
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