Mark McGwire Induction Would Taint Baseball Hall of Fame
November 28th, 2006 by Michael Stephens
This year’s Baseball Hall of Fame ballot features Cal Ripken, Jr., and Tony Gwynn, a pair of living legends and virtual locks to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
The ballot also features Mark McGwire, the first big-name Steroid Era star given Hall of Fame consideration, and whose prospects are a bit murkier. Does Big Mac have a chance at being voted in? Yes. But should he?
Not in this fan’s opinion. Granted, all players bear some responsibility for the steroids quagmire, as does the Major League Baseball brain trust. The prevailing attitude was to shut up and reap the benefits. But in McGwire, we have a player guilty of more than a wink and a nod.
This is a slugger who mythically and farcically shattered records. There may never be actual proof, but the circumstantial evidence is unmistakable. We’re all aware of what went on. This is not a court of law and no burden of proof is required (everyone knowing he did it wasn’t enough to put O.J. Simpson away, but in the case of Hall of Fame balloting, it’ll suffice).
As a matter of fact, voters are instructed to consider not just a player’s record and ability, but also integrity, sportsmanship and character. Like MVP balloting, Hall of Fame voting is predicated on subjective judgments. Writers’ dubious votes gave us hotly-debated American League MVP results in each of the last two years, and have kept players out of the Hall that many deem worthy.
Mark McGwire’s place in history is up to the opinion of those selected to vote, and they have every reason to nix him from Cooperstown. Those that feel you cannot reject a player’s candidacy without concrete evidence, or that you would then have to subject every player from the Steroid Era to equal scrutiny, are off base.
Every case must be reviewed differently. This is not about Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmiero, Jason Giambi or the host of other stars who have been busted for, accused of taking, or have admitted abusing steroids. All it comes down to (at least this year) is Mark McGwire and what writers know - and perceive - about his career.
No, McGwire hasn’t failed a single steroid test we know of. But here are some events from his career and its aftermath that are worth considering in assessing his resume:
- He used androstenedione, a legal supplement at the time (and illegal now) in 1998, when he destroyed Roger Maris‘ single-season home-run record.
- Two drug dealers snared in a federal investigation said another dealer provided McGwire with illegal steroids.
- Jose Canseco accused McGwire of being a juicer.
- McGwire stonewalled a Congressional committee on the subject.
- Since the end of his playing career, he has gone quiet, despite his pledge to educate others on the dangers of steroid abuse.
It’s not a stretch to say that by failing to counter the allegations against him, McGwire is effectively admitting responsibility. And for a slugger whose Hall candidacy is based almost entirely on epic power — his 583 career homers are seventh all-time, and his 135 from 1998-1999 were astronomical - that’s a telling sign.
These aren’t baseless claims thrown around by bloggers. We’re talking about asserting Fifth Amendment privileges under oath. McGwire had no choice but to remain silent as he had broken U.S. law and was as tainted as could be. Writers now need to make him pay the price while sending a message to the rest of the league that cheating will no longer be rewarded. Baseball’s integrity won’t be restored overnight, but a small step in the right direction would certainly help the cause.
January 4th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
I think that McGwire should be in the hall of fame even if he used steriods. I think Bill Simmons article best sums up my reasons