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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2009 > January > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMcGwire the face of baseball’s steroid era
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
And now for the Tuesday Countdown:
(As Rene Descartes would say if he philosophized today: “I blog, therefore I am.”)
10 - Here goes: Barry Bonds is no longer the face of baseball’s steroid era. Mark McGwire is. The reason why can be stated in three words: Hall of Fame.
9 - I’m not saying one is any more of a cheater than the other. They both juiced. They both lied. They both did what they did for the same reason all cheaters do what they do: money, fame, ego. The difference is that I firmly believe Bonds will be voted into the Hall of Fame when he is eligible, as will Roger Clemens. Why? Because even without drugs, they would have had Hall-worthy credentials. Not McGwire.
8 - I have a Hall of Fame vote. Couldn’t help but notice McGwire’s vote total in his third year of eligibility dropped from 23.6 percent to 21.9 (well short of the required 75 percent). Voters aren’t getting over the steroid era. If anything, they’re souring on McGwire even more. And that was even before his brother, Jay, wrote a tell-all book “out of love,” claiming he’s the one who introduced Mark to steroids in 1994. McGwire won’t get into the Hall because he, more than any other high-profile player, is perceived as a laboratory creation who would not have Hall credentials without the use of performance enhancing drugs (although Sammy Sosa is close). Bonds is an all-time great whose numbers just got stupid because of a syringe. McGwire is an all-time fraud. When future generations Google “baseball and steroids,” McGwire will be leading in page views. Speaking of which …
7 - Mira Sorvino. Kelly Rutherford. Carly Smithson.
6 - So here on the Internet, gateway to real-time scoreboards, American Idol blogs and so, so many women that reinforce the sound investment advice given to graduate Benjamin Braddock — “Plastics, Benjamin” — it’s all about page views. That’s what I’m learning. So from now on you might see me occasionally lead the Tuesday Countdown with top Internet searches. I’m all about cheap marketing tools here. And, yes, this space is for sale. Also, today’s page views are up to 7,434,121, according to the crowd-counters of the Atlanta Spirit. Where was I? So, I was going to go with some obvious searches: Lindsay Lohan drunk and stupid, Rod Blagojevich nosehair, Nick Saban Satan. But it turned out the top three searches Tuesday morning — according to Yahoo! Buzz, linked by Google, oddly enough — were Mira Sorvino, Kelly Rutherford and Carly Smithson, only one of whom I’ve actually heard of (Sorvino) and none of whom can name a starting Steeler. (Transition back to real life.)
5 - Pittsburgh 20, Arizona 16. I would bet half of my 401k on it, if I had half of my 401k.
4 - I’ve heard from quite a few people, either through email or after-column posts, about last Sunday’s column on Jordan Schafer. He denied using HGH or any performance-enhancing drugs despite last season’s 50-game suspension. At least half of you don’t believe him. That’s fine. For those who keep asking why I didn’t nail him to the wall, it’s simple: I don’t know what to believe. What makes this different from most suspensions is HGH is not tested by baseball, so cases are built on circumstantial evidence, such as a statement from somebody who claims they saw him with a box of vials of HGH. But investigators never disclosed their findings. Also, from day one, Schafer and his father were upset about the suspension and said there were things they wanted to say but were being advised not to (for whatever reason), whether by attorneys, the league or the Braves. So they moved on — at least until the other day. We’ll likely never know for sure what happened. Unless McGwire’s brother writes another book.
3 - News-and-rumor accumulator ProFootballTalk.com says DeAngelo Hall may be close to a “major offer” from the Washington Redskins. It referenced a recent six-year, $48 million deal with a $12 million guarantee that was reported by the Washington Post. Question: Is somebody still watching Virginia Tech highlights?
2 - Speculation of the week: That Michael Vick will sign with San Francisco, former home to one of the most revered quarterbacks (Joe Montana) in NFL history, and also one of the most protest-happy and liberal spots in the universe. I’ll believe this when I see the PETA Dog Fighting Team.
1 - Matthew Stafford. Matt Ryan. Real Moronic Mind-numbing House Twits of Atlanta.
Comments
By Coastal
January 27, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this
Its a real shame to see what McGwire has done not to himself, but to people like Fred McGriff and Dale Murphy. Even though the top of the home run list is peppered with dope users, the HOF standards will remain high. Both McGriff and Dale should be in but because of the inflated numbers/standards by the likes of Bonds, Sosa and Palmerio, they won’t.
By 2 old 2
January 27, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this
“Matthew Stafford. Matt Ryan. Real Moronic Mind-numbing House Twits of Atlanta.”
Please explain that for the benefit of us old poots.
By thad
January 27, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this
Big Mac. Has never said that he didnt use steroids. He used all kinds of stuff. But he used the stuf when it was legal. Yes he juiced. But everyone did during that era. They had to do it to keep up. Why else are you seeing so many of those athletes falling apart physically. Because thats what happens when you juice. The man has ran away from the sport and yet you guys try your best to crucify him. Leave it alone. Go after guys that are testing positive NOW.
By Fairness
January 27, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
If you juiced, you juiced. And the “penalties” should be the same.
By Peadawg
January 27, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens…who are they? Hank Aaron is the home run king. I misremember who Roger Clemens is.
By Jeff Schultz
January 27, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Thad: You share a common misconception about steroids. While it’s true baseball didn’t implement a testing policy until 2002 (and didn’t start testing until 2003), steroids actually has been on the sport’s banned list since 1991. Then there’s the obvious. Any use of any drug without a prescription is illegal — and has been for a long long time. … Peadawg: I wish we could all misremember. … JS
By BugKiller
January 27, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I’m not old, if 28 isn’t old, and I don’t get your Number 1.
I guess I’ll try to google it.
By Mark C.
January 27, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this
Came for the Sorvino pics. Leaving very disappointed.
By David Granger
January 27, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this
You may be right, Jeff…but there’s one more factor that will come into play. McGwire was always liked and respected (until recently, when he mishandled the steroid issue)…while Barry Bonds is and has always been a complete piece of sh*t. Of the people in baseball who despise him the most, the majority of them are his former teammates. I do believe that Big Mac will eventually go in, but he’ll have to come clean first. (With a genuine, real apology. Pete Rose showed how NOT to do it…) And Mac can do that without being legally liable, because he’s never lied about it under oath…just dodged all questions via the fifth amendment. While Bonds has lied to beat all hell.
By The Grinch
January 27, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, personality doesn’t play as much of a factor as it should in HOF selection. If Bonds (who is INDEED a piece of #$@#) makes it in and Dale Murphy doesn’t despite being a great guy AND dominating his sport naturally for the entire decade of the 1980’s, then there is no justice in this world. And I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what’s going to transpire.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
January 27, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
The real shame is that all the owners, managers, team doctors, and even the commish won’t go down with these athletes. They all knew this was going on and let it go on because of that stupid strike back in ‘94 where they all but alienated baseball fans. You think all the players from just that era have inflated numbers for no reason? They allowed it to save baseball from their monetary greed-filled mistakes and the players are the ones paying for it which they should by the way, but not by themselves. I sometimes wonder how many more world series the Braves would have accumulated if the likes of pitching whizzes like Smoltz-Glvine-Maddux-Avery-Wohlers didn’t have to face juiced up cheaters like the Yankees Jim Leyritz. McGwire, Bonds, Clemens and the like are all just pawns in a big game that the people running baseball got away with playing on the fans.
By Fairness
January 27, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
IF Murphy doesn’t make it, The Braves should commission a 20’ statue of Dale for the park and we’ll have our own HOF.
By 1eyedJack
January 27, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
Murph will eventually get in. He won’t get voted in by the BBWAA but by the veterans committee. The shame is that he will probably be dead by then and not be able to enjoy it in this life.
By 1eyedJack
January 27, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
…and another thing. If personality or being liked by teammates were credentials to be considered for the hall then you wouldn’t see the likes of Ty Cobb in there.
By Hillbilly Deluxe
January 27, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
Just curious Jeff, did you vote for Andre Dawson? I think he certainly deserves to be in.
By SHAYNE LIGHT
January 27, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
People need to get over the steroid era. It happened! Its a shame to look back at, but without the homerun chase between Big Mac and Slammin Sammy the game might be in terrible shape now. Has everyone forgot about Selig talking about get rid of 4 teams. Baseball was DYING. No one was over the strike. Fan were upset and not coming to games. Baseball cards shops around the country closed. Football and Basketball were passing baseball in ratings and fan support. Baseball needed the Homerun chase. It needed the great year by Barry Bonds. ESPN Plastered your tv with at bats by Mark and Sammy. Then with Bonds. Fans came back. Even the Commercials were about the homeruns. Anyone remember Chicks love the long Ball! The owners and the Commish knew what was going on. And they loved it. It made them MONEY. The sad thing is Canseco got blackballed so he shots off his mouth. Then all hell backs loose. Let it go! This is a bitter sweet time in baseball. The steriod Problem should have been handled behind closed doors. Greenies were a part of baseball and no one is saying that the guys who did them should be hold out of the Hall Of Fame. I loved baseball, but now I am more of a fan of Basketball and football. Let it go PLEASE! Everyone enjoyed the seasons of the long ball. The crap about the kids doing steriods is bull. Parents need to take responsability for their kids. Plus if the MEDIA had not Blasted the airwaves with it some of those kids would have never taken them. No one is punishing TV, Radio, and Internet Sites for this. Steriod dealers are just getting free PUBLICITY. That the stuff really works. Stop beating the dead horse!
By Ted Striker
January 27, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
JS: I might be wrong (for 672th time this week) but Mira Sorvino would likely surprise you with her Steelers awareness. One reason she’s so bangalistically yummy is she’s not just pretty, she’s smart. Trebek would stump her eventually yet she knows more about sports than someone might assume. I say this after holding conversation with her — sports included — about 3 years ago. Still haven’t washed that shrimp fork.
As to Schafer. I doesn’t grasp the logic in a person refusing to tell his story — if it would clear his name — assuming those he’s ‘protecting’ are different from those who are ‘attacking’ him and ‘out to get him’. Still, I thought he was stand-up to discuss what he did. He didn’t have to hold the interview. For what it’s worth, I don’t think the role of a journalist is to nail someone to the wall — when they’ve already clearly paid the price. If you say he seemed sincere, I believe it.
D-Hall. If I owned the Redskins, I might sign Me. Hall to a $48 million contract. Okay, make it $148 million. Hell, $248 million, even. Alright, alright, I’ll give you $348 million. However — he’s not getting more than $2 million guaranteed.
God help Michael Vick if he signs with San Fran. He’d never get a moment’s peace. Count me in as a fellow believer who thinks not even a jury would sentence Vick to playing in San Fran, a city that certainly wouldn’t welcome him. I love San Francisco but that’s just one marriage that wouldn’t work. (Speaking as a guy who’s had multiples that didnt…..)
Schultz, what about this 100-0 Point win/forfeit/circus in Texass? I don’t ascribe to a view that the coach was fired for a 100-0 victory. I believe he was fired because he refused to make nice about the situation. Which leads me to this. Is that dude related to Urban Meyer?
Coastal: I’d be in favor of both Mcgriff and Murphy being in the Hall. I could cite my reasons but I’ve already used up enough cyber ink here already. And Hillbilly, yea, I’d be okay with Dawson too.
By noddy dred
January 27, 2009 7:45 PM | Link to this
FEBRUARY 1. 134 LUCKY ST. THE LUCKY LOUNGE. DOORS OPEN AT 3:00 PM. CELEBRITIES, WOMEN, FOOTBALL, FUN. HALFTIME: DJ CANNON.
STEWPERBOWL 1By Najeh Davenpoop
January 27, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this
Ultra-liberal pinko tree-hugging PETArds don’t, for the most part, attend football games. The Starbuckses (?) in which they spend their Sundays writing on Daily Kos and Huffington Post doesn’t have a TV carrying the NFL feed. Sure, there will be protests if/when the 49ers sign Vick, like there will in any city, and these protests will die down the first time he makes Sportscenter’s Top 10.
By the way, if the Bay Area is such a terrible place for Vick to land, how come your ilk are so willing to put him in Oakland, which is only two miles away?
By Najeh Davenpoop
January 27, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, and from what I saw and heard D-Hall had a pretty good 2nd half of the season with Washington (richbrave, the ajc blogs’ DC correspondent, can correct me if I’m wrong). I still wouldn’t sign him to a long term deal though. He’s certainly not better than Carlos Rogers (their #1 corner), and they have Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot (who are both old but still decent) to hold down the #2 spot.
By jeanE
January 28, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this
Jeff, what does that last remark about Matthew & Matt mean exactly? I am not a big fan of either, just curious! McGwire will never ever get into the hall, you are right. He should’ve just come clean & then he would have. Too late now. I think Bonds will get in, you just can’t deny his numbers, forget that he should be in the jerk Hall of Fame. Personality has nothing to do with talent. If the Reskins sign D. Fall to any long term guaranteed contract, they get what they deserve. Which is periods of greatness followed with the inevitable meltdown & team dissension! I think Arizona is gonna win, they will not be denied! Unless one of them gets arrested right before the game, then all bets are off!
By AlphaDog
January 28, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Schulz THAD is talking about Steniondion(sp) which baseball did allow. And how can you say Mark was a product of steriods and Barry isn’t, Mark hit 49 HR his rookie season, Barry only had 1 forty hr season prior to his 10th season, at which most players start declining, he started bashing everything out of the park(STERIODS), at least we can say Mac had the potential from his rookie year to knock in 500hr and potential to break Maris record.
By Harris
January 28, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
I think you are wrong about McGuire not having the stuff to make it without the juice. His second year with Oakland, he was tall and skinny and on the way to hitting 60 until he got hurt late in the season. He had several big home run years without the steroids. I agree that he, as well as Bonds and Clements should have the asterisk next to their records, but I think McGuire had the credentials just as Bonds had.
By Tony
January 28, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Matthew Stafford. Matt Ryan. Real Moronic Mind-numbing House Twits of Atlanta- Top Internet searches.
By Meanwhile...a request
January 28, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
I’m still curious if it came up in conversation for Schafer to have himself tested, if only for traction in the court of public opinion.
“Benjamin Braddock — ‘Plastics, Benjamin’ —”
That was good Jeff. I have suggested to Mr. Bradley that you have raised the bar with Descartes, but alas, to no avail.
And it is about page hits; I trust your readers will give you some leeway in that regard.
Reference others if you must, but as for yourself, please don’t reduce yourself to posting beer bong shots with Matt Leinart, hobnobbing with Madonna, and most importantly, no commando shots.
You’re better than that, even if the new media world isn’t.
By Thomas Phillips
January 29, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this
Shultz makes a case against McGuire being in the Hall of Fame in his Countdown #10, 9, and 8. He then directly contradicts that by what he says in #4. Short attention span.