Comments on: McGwire’s Final At Bat http://www.bloggernews.net/12728 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:24:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: destiny_driven http://www.bloggernews.net/12728#comment-912604 destiny_driven Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:34:06 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/12728#comment-912604 Mark McGwire was never charged with steroid use. He never failed a drug test. He never hid the bottle of androstenedione that was in plain view in his locker. Why? Because he was not doing anything wrong in MLB's eyes. So, I fail to see why the BBWA conducts this witch hunt they are on to smear his good name at every opportunity and to banish him from his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Am I the only one who recognizes that the people to blame are the ones getting off scot free in this? Bud Selig knew full well that PED's were being used, as did both League Presidents. Team owners, GM's, Managers, Trainers and Physicians also knew but did nothing. All of these people allowed PED's to continue being used because of the almighty dollar. Home run record chases were good for the sport, good for ticket sales and ultimately good for everyone's bank account. Basically, Selig allowed baseball's most hallowed alltime records to be tarnished by pumped up players. Records that had stood for generations were allowed to fall, as those who are supposed to protect the game's integrity, were greedy. So, why is Mark McGwire the BBWA's poster child for punishment and backlash? This problem was perpetuated by those at the top of the sport's hierarchy. I can't believe that of all the culprits who have been exposed as users and liars, that McGwire is a primary target for punishment. Especially since it is a fact that he never tested positive in his entire career. Mark McGwire was never charged with steroid use. He never failed a drug test. He never hid the bottle of androstenedione that was in plain view in his locker. Why? Because he was not doing anything wrong in MLB’s eyes. So, I fail to see why the BBWA conducts this witch hunt they are on to smear his good name at every opportunity and to banish him from his rightful place in the Hall of Fame.

Am I the only one who recognizes that the people to blame are the ones getting off scot free in this? Bud Selig knew full well that PED’s were being used, as did both League Presidents. Team owners, GM’s, Managers, Trainers and Physicians also knew but did nothing. All of these people allowed PED’s to continue being used because of the almighty dollar. Home run record chases were good for the sport, good for ticket sales and ultimately good for everyone’s bank account.

Basically, Selig allowed baseball’s most hallowed alltime records to be tarnished by pumped up players. Records that had stood for generations were allowed to fall, as those who are supposed to protect the game’s integrity, were greedy.

So, why is Mark McGwire the BBWA’s poster child for punishment and backlash? This problem was perpetuated by those at the top of the sport’s hierarchy. I can’t believe that of all the culprits who have been exposed as users and liars, that McGwire is a primary target for punishment. Especially since it is a fact that he never tested positive in his entire career.

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