Cal Ripken? Excellent. Tony Gwynn? Even more excellent. Big Mac? The buzzer sound. Today the cabal of writers who decide on MLB Hall of Fame entry decided Mr. McGwire wasn't worthy:
“It’s tough to vote for McGwire when asked to consider the integrity and character of a guy who won’t refute that he broke the law to cheat the game,” said John Shea of The San Francisco Chronicle.I don't know the extent to which Mac dabbled in pharmaceuticals since he hasn't divulged those facts. He's never been convicted of anything, but his appearance in front of Congress was certainly incriminating--he's not a very good liar.
Some say steroids are a non-issue, that he's still got to hit the ball. True, but since Big Mac would be going in for his home runs it matters more than for a glove man. They may not help hand-eye but they do increase force of impact, so it's hard to tell how many high towering fly balls might not have left the yard without 'help'.
Thing is, baseball isn't golf. Cheating is a tradition in the game, like stealing signs or scuffing balls. The writers are probably ceremoniously punishing McGwire this year with hopes it might prod him a telling his story. He probably won't for awhile.
If writers like Mr. Shea are punishing Big Red for steroid use he hasn't been charged with nor admitted to, then I hope he's consistent when time comes to vote on his hometown hero Barry Bonds. Principle is worthless without consistency.
Speaking of sports, the national championship game turned into a yawner almost as fast as the latest Ted Danson sitcom. Amazingly the announcers didn't make an issue of the fact Florida won the opening toss, elected to kick rather than receive, then gave up a runback touchdown. Ouch. But former Tennessee Titan Eddie George only had one more hand clap the rest of the night (hey, this is SEC country, gotta protect the flank).
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