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.
Dizzy Dean as an announcer.
the government should not be involved in this-- this is absurd-- I can't believe some of you people agree this should be an issue the government deals with-- what ever happened to conservatives standing for smaller government
He done slud into third base!
that is very funny!
Boy, are you a moron.
Ditto
I am a conservative and for smaller, less intrusive form of government. Someone has to bring the steroid problem out in the open and make our country aware of the problem. MLB is a real joke, it cannot police itself, it is arrogant and is not the national pastime. Did you listen ot the testimony of parents who lost their kids to steroids? It is a problem that must be dealt with.
I have had it with Republicans. How can you sit there, knowing all the real crisis' this country is facing, and waste your time investigating steriod use in major league baseball. Also, i expect democrats to be involved in this kind of garbage but republicans? I just can't get over the fact the government has jumped in this issue. Government keeps getting bigger abd more powerful-- very bearish for the future of America. Anyone know of a place like Mulligan's Vally in Atlas Scrugged? I want to get the hell out of here.
HA!
"Look at the facts"
And what are the facts ???????
I could have told you going in to this whole stupid witch hunt that McGwire would not name any names, nor comply with their silly questions that are going to resolve nothing.
He will not put on the show the senate panel wants him to put on. That is not the type of guy he is. Mark left baseball and that is that. He has started a new life and wants to concentrate on his family. He is rarely even seen at baseball events anymore. This is a guy who gave up multi-millions of dollars to play for the team he chose. He also walked away from a contract that he could have made multi-millions more. He is not money driven. He could have played more ball and broke many more records. But he chose to hang it up rather than hanging on just to make some more money and break a few more records. That should tell you something about the guy.
Now, back to the facts. Name me the facts that prove McGwire used steroids.
"Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. I want to thank the Chairman and the ranking member for allowing me to make this statement. My name is Frank Thomas and I am a baseball player for the Chicago White Sox--a team I am proud to have been part of since joining Major League Baseball in 1989.
First of all, Mr. Chairman, let me say that as an outspoken critic of steroids, I would like to work with this Committee, Major League Baseball, and the Players Association to warn everyone – especially young people – about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. Steroids are dangerous and the public should be educated about them, and in particular, parents should make sure their children are aware that steroids can be bad for their health.
I also believe the league and the Players' Association have done the right thing by reopening our collective bargaining agreement and strengthening our policy on drug testing. I support this new policy as a very good first step in eliminating steroid use from the sport I love.
I have been a major league ballplayer for 15 years. Throughout my career, I have not used steroids. Ever.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee."
I'm very proud "The Big Hurt" is part of my beloved Chicago White Sox.
The 2005 Chicago White Sox: The Hunt for White October - Under the Radar
Is there a text-symbol for rolling one's eyes? Because that's what I'm doing right about now.
These Congressmen are a bunch of transparent, petty grandstanders.
People who spew nonsense about "asterisks" need to think harder. (How many of his day's top black pitchers did Babe Ruth face, I wonder? How many ballplayers have used "uppers" for decades, with nobody knowing?)
I'm so glad our Congress still has time to conduct McCarthyite show-trials in the middle of a terror war.
pathetic. Canseco is a punk and ten time loser. You seem to take his side.
ELAINE: Okay, okay. (phones) Um, yeah, hi, I'd like delivery please to 16 West 75th St. apartment 2G.
LEW: I know that address. You're Benes, right. You're on our list. No more delivery.
ELAINE: No. no, she doesn't live here anymore. This is someone else.
LEW: Oh, yeah. What's the name?
ELAINE: Why do you need the name? You already have the address.
LEW: We need a name. Give us a name.
ELAINE: Okay, okay, Ned Isakoff.
I saw McGuire at a card show in his rookie year . Pete Rose (with a blonde on each side )had a line out the door and McGuire was sitting in a corner with about five people in his line . I didn't even know who he was BUT I said to my son "Look at the size of his arms !!" and I believe that was before any , IF ANY ,steroids came into the picture.
Be careful how you use the word "everyone". Some of us have lives and don't have this prurient obsession with hearing "under oath" what Mark McGwire has or has not injected into his body.
Yeah but I'm a steroid-free moron, unlike your hero. No need to start with the personal insults.
Of course, Waxman was probably on tv right after the State of the Union a few years ago compaining that Bush brought up the steroid issue in his speech. At the time it was another example of Bush's 'cluelessness.' Seems Bush was once again ahead of the curve.
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