Steroidgate Opens

McGwire Comes Undone in Congress

"I'm not here to talk about the past. I'm not here to talk about the past. (Is using steroids cheating?) That's not for me to determine. That's not for me to determine... My message is that steroids is bad (sic). Don't do 'em. (How do you know they're bad?) My attorney has advised me not to answer that."

No Denial from McGwire

"I cannot answer these questions without jeopardizing my friends, my family, or myself." -- Mark McGwire

Missouri Congressman William Clay reminded Mark McGwire of the great home run race of 1998, the proud tradition of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and that a stretch of I-70 in his district was named after McGwire. Clay then asked McGwire if those records can be trusted.

“Like I said earlier I’m not going to go into the past and talk about my past,” answered McGwire.

Clay then asks “Mr. McGwire you have already acknowledged that you used certain supplements including Andro as part of your training routine. In addition to Andro, which was legal at the time that you used it, what other supplements did you use?"

“I’m not here to talk about the past,” replied McGwire once again.

Later Clay added “Mr. McGwire, I wish you had used this opportunity to answer some questions about your career and the records that you established.”

McGwire now guilty as sin in the court of public opinion, can kiss the Hall of Fame goodbye. That’s all in the past.

Steroid-gate Blown Wide Open in Washington

Dr. Gary I. Wadler: "New testing policy increases the cloud of suspicion... no testing for masking agents and other illegal substances."
MLB Dr. Eliot J. Pellman: Did not know players could disappear for an hour during testing, there was a fine option, not everything illegal was covered.
The Honorable Jim Bunning: "It's not their game, it's ours. What's happening in baseball is not natural, and it isn't right. Wipe out the records" if players used steroids. "Arrogant" MLB deceived him in memo where they did not indicate the $10,000 fine or 10-day suspension for first offense.
Bud Selig: Told Bob Nightingale of The Sporting News that in 1995 that owners looked at the steroid issue 18 months prior. He told the country that he didn't look into it until 1998.
Mr. Canseco: Cannot be totally forthcoming without immunity. Now tells Congress he wants to tell kids about the dangers of steroids, while his book advocates use of the illegal drug.
Corky Sosa: Says he never took anything illegal and is behind more testing.
Mark McGwire: Crying and reaching for water throughout opening statement. Does not deny he used steroids. Says he will not name names and implicate players. Said he did not sit in judgment and does not talk about players (read: Canseco) "sexual preference or marital problems." McGwire will not dignify the book and said he cannot answer questions.
Rafael Palmeiro: Points finger and says emphatically "I never used steroids. Period."
Frank Thomas: Part of new task force with Schilling. Says he never used steroids.
Curt Schilling: Will not glorify the "so-called author who is out to make money at the expense of others." Says public recognition of cheaters is the ultimate punishment.