McGwire Tells Panel He Won't Name Names

AP ^ | 3-17-2005 | HOWARD FENDRICH and RONALD BLUM

[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.

[Brofholdonow]

The hell with steroids, Conseco needs to tell us how Madonna was in the sack

[johnb838]

I cant go that far......no one has proven Maris wasnt on something

He was a SMOKER!!!!!

[johnb838]

HE took the fifth. That makes him guilty IMO.

[smith288]

Here would of been my response to every question:

"I do not see what grounds the federal govt has in Major League Baseball and how the organization handles their affairs with the players. As such, I will reply with a 'No comment'. Furthermore, I would like to see John Adams' or Ben Franklin's face as they look on at this travesty of government time wasted on such a relatively trivial subject that has already captivated the private sector and prompted a cleanup. Oh, and Mr Waxman, your nostrils could hold tangerines."

[ScudBud]

No, but one guy called him "Sammy So-so" lol

[Figment]

"(however, you are correct in assuming I did never try)"



I didn't assume or accuse you of trying, I asked you for your source of knowlege on the unavailability to the general public.Sheffield is on record as saying Barry Bonds gave him a cream made by BALCO. Why? Was he a pitchman for BALCO? I will assume BALCO was in business to make money, just like Nike. Do Nike pitchmen pay for their equipment? The huge market for steroids is in the college and high school market. I'm not naive enough to believe BALCO wouldn't sell to anyone who's check cleared

[Figment]

"Bull"

So you think he was giving the stuff to Sheffield and Giambi was just a pal helping out a pal? Bonds was pushing the stuff

[macamadamia]

Gosh, how nice of some Freepers to cozy up to the likes of Henry Waxman, a pig and a bully, a man surely born on Dr. Moreau's magical little island of freaks. And how nonpartisan to ignore the panel's grandstanding and sanctimony for the sake of the children. We don't need law enforcement to investigate McGwire; we just need big government to castigate him.....for the children. I thought today we're all suppose to be Irish....not Chinese.

[MKM1960]

I would have paid money to be in the room. Wonder if Waxman's hair would have stayed on his head or the the top of his skull separating from from his body when his brain exploded.

The smartest thing the Commissioner could have done would have been tell the committee to take back their Anti-Trust exemption and as our crazy Mama T would say "Shove It".

[SuziQ]

"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.

Good for him, and Congress has no business hauling these folks up there for hearings only designed to give the aforementioned legislators face time. I frankly think the baseball leagues should have said a huge "SHOVE IT" to Congress. andnot participated at all.

Congress has lots of things to work on that are more important to the nation.

[toddlintown]

Don'y worry the next plunge on a fan too.

[toddlintown]

"I don know nuttin."

[bfree]

Cutting the obscene spending would be a great start. This hearing is a waste of time and money, for the benefit of glory seeking, idiotic congressmen getting face time on the local news. I loved old Bernie asking about "locker room gossip". What a complete jackass.

[toddlintown]

"With all of our pitching going stright to the hospital--the Cubs fans have to get our shots in now!"

Come over to the dark (South) side...GO SOX!

[international american]

Covering for steroid use, and covering up a murder are not equal or comparable.

[Charlemagne on the Fox]

These guys made McGwire show up on national TV so they could embarass him.

I suppose you think they forced McGwire to use the supplements, too.

Anyone supporting the players on this one has chosen ground not easily defended. Perhaps Congress figured out even they would look good compared to the players, the owners, and the union leadership. And it looks like they're right.

[Fatalis]

So you think he was giving the stuff to Sheffield and Giambi was just a pal helping out a pal? Bonds was pushing the stuff

Neither Sheffield nor Giambi has testified that Bonds gave them anything. Bonds is not being investigated for trafficking.

[toddlintown]

"The hell with steroids, Conseco needs to tell us how Madonna was in the sack."

Worst sack time ever.

[Fatalis]

With all that being said, I hope that steroids are removed from baseball and that all guilty parties have an asterisk next to their names (or even have their stats removed).

How are you going to prove guilt? You have no tests.

Would you also asterisk Babe Ruth's records, since he used trick bats?

[blackie]

Roger that!