McGwire Speaks

So, last week Mark McGwire confessed that he once used steroids...DUH! Honestly, how many people actually believed there was a question about that?

I read several articles about McGwire and how insincere his statement was and that even though he did confess it didn't mean anything. Writers were still not going to vote him into the Hall of Fame. You know, I'm okay with those who have votes for the Hall choose not to vote him in because he used steroids and his stats are tainted, that's there choice, but PLEASE, PLEASE tell me that you aren't going to vote in those other guys who confessed too!

A-Rod, probably the most talented player of his era admitted to steroids and all is forgiven, same thing for Jason Giambi. I even understand holding a grudge against those who denied using steroids and later failed a test like Rafael Palmeiro, but just because others like A-Rod said yes, I did and I'm sorry doesn't clear their record. If they used steroids their stats are tainted too, period. Would A-Rod have just volunteered the information, NO! He waited until it came out that he was a user before he confessed. He, like many others, was hoping that he would slip through and not get caught up in the roid-hunt in baseball.

I guess what it all boils down to for me is this; If the voters for the Hall of Fame say that I'm not voting for anyone who was caught using steroids, I'm okay with that. If the voters for the Hall of Fame say I will only vote for someone who confesses they used steroids, I'm okay with that if they do that for everyone, but the second they say "His confession wasn't sincere enough" so I'm not voting for him, then that voter should lose his vote.

In my opinion, steroids are wrong and should have no place in athletics. Problem is, there was a period in history where steroids were all over sports. I don't think that you can just ignore those who played during the 'roid era. The Hall of Fame sure didn't think it was too bad to vote in those players who took amphetamines like they were candy in the sixties and seventies. I guess, all in all, each voter of the Hall has to make a decision about their stance on steroids and whatever that stance is, they need to stick to it. Don't be wishy-washy about it, make a decision on what you believe and stick to it. If they used, too bad you can't be in the Hall; If they used and confessed its okay, you can be in the Hall; I don't care if they used, they can be in the Hall; I really don't care what the voters choose, I just want consistency.

I know what I think...if there is undeniable proof that the player used steroids, then I'm sorry but you don't deserve the Hall of Fame. So, no Mark McGwire, no Barry Bonds, no A-Rod, no Rafael Palmeiro. It's sad, but that's how I feel.