AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > December > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMcGwire gets in on my Hall of Fame ballot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
I voted for Mark McGwire because he was the greatest pure power hitter in the history of baseball, and I’m aware the word “pure” bears a loaded connotation. You’re asking: Was there anything “pure” about anything McGwire did on the baseball field?
I voted for McGwire because I don’t know that there wasn’t. I might suspect, sure. But is suspicion enough to keep a man out of the Hall of Fame? In a nation where the law carries the presumption of innocence, should the national pastime carry the presumption of guilt?
I voted for McGwire because I don’t hold his stammering “I’m-not-here-to-talk-about-the-past” appearance before the congressional committee against him because I considered the whole thing a sham. (And also because I note with amusement that the most impassioned testimony came from the finger-wagging Rafael Palmeiro, who later tested positive. So much for forthrightness.)
I voted for McGwire because I’m uncomfortable doing what baseball should have done when balls started flying over yonder fences at an unprecedented rate. Did blundering Bud Selig say, “I smell a rat — let’s test for performance-enhancing drugs ASAP”? No, baseball did as baseball does: It banked the money from bumped-up ticket sales and toasted the Bashball Binge as the newest golden era of the grand old game. The sport turned its head, and now it expects humble voters — the AJC doesn’t allow writers to vote in weekly polls or on yearly awards but permits columnists to cast a Hall of Fame ballot — to sit as ex post facto judge and jury?
I voted for McGwire because his numbers are cut from Cooperstown cloth — 583 home runs, the seventh-most ever, and four seasons of 50-plus homers, tied for the most ever — and because, in a sport clothed in murk, numbers offer the only clarity. And let’s say for argument’s sake that McGwire did use steroids later in his career: He hit 49 home runs as a rawboned rookie in 1987, which means he was pretty strong already. So how many of the 583 were tainted, and how many weren’t? Enough to downsize Big Mac into just another Dave Kingman?
I voted for McGwire because baseball didn’t bother to test for steroids until 2002, and he played his last game in 2001. And yes, I realize steroids were (and are) illegal without a prescription, but andro, which McGwire admitted using in 1998, was available over the counter. If ingesting andro was his greatest sin, is that enough to bar him from the hallowed Hall? If so, then how do we explain the ongoing enshrinement of Gaylord Perry, who threw what he has admitted was an illegal-by-baseball-bylaws spitter? Is morality different for pitchers than for hitters?
I voted for McGwire because I’m tired of the come-lately moralizing. This week’s Sports Illustrated includes an anti-McGwire sermonette; exactly eight years ago, the same magazine dressed McGwire and Sammy Sosa in togas and laurel wreaths and proclaimed them its Sportsmen of the Year. The homers hit in 1998 are still recognized as legitimate by MLB and will surely never be invalidated; if deeds are allowed to stand, can we devalue the doers?
I voted for McGwire, and I expect I’ll be in the distinct minority. (A player must be named on 75 percent of the ballots to earn enshrinement; last year 520 votes were cast.) I’m fully aware that baseball is caught up in a wave of “reform,” but unless/until somebody proves that McGwire cheated to the extent cheating made him an exponentially better hitter, I’ll vote for him. The same with Sammy Sosa. The same with Barry Bonds.
I voted for McGwire because I’m not God and I’m not Sherlock Holmes. For too long baseball didn’t want to know the provenance of its power surge, and the inevitable consequence is that too much is now unknowable. I don’t know for certain what McGwire did or didn’t do off the field. I only know what he did on it.
Permalink | Comments (36) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Mark Bradley
Comments
By fnreitsma
December 8, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this
well done. well done.
By James
December 8, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this
Mark, I’m with you!! It’s the Hall of Fame for baseball. It’s not the Hall of Saints. It’s about talent and a persons talent and impact upon a game!
By Mr C.
December 8, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this
Totally concur with you. You can’t keep someone away from the Hall based on suspicion. Maybe Baseball can come up with a rule where players can be cast out of the Hall of fame if it’s ever proven that they cheated. Till then, you have to vote for McGwire even if you hate his guts.
By Robert
December 8, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this
When McGwire sat before a congressional hearing, he responded to questions of his own steriods use by repeatedly saying, “I’m not here to talk about the past.” Let us follow him by also not talking about his past in the hall of fame.
By Billy (TBFnB)
December 8, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this
And here we go again.
By Rex Boaz
December 8, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this
Mark McGuire::What an excuse for a man. For you to vote for him is a shame. A man who can’t own up to his mistakes doesn’t deserve to be in the hall. It’s people like you who will prop him up. Don’t you have any standards? I know, if it feels good do it!! This is the reason that most of us could care less about the hall. What about Roger. He did it the right way.
By BB FAN
December 8, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
I agree 100%. McGwire belongs in the Hall.
Critics are quick to point out that many of the hitters from the late 80’s through 2002 were allegedly taking steroids. They claim their numbers are not legit because they were taking performance enhancers. However, they seem to forget that just as many, if not more, pitchers were allegedly taking them as well. Why is it that pitchers are given a free pass for everything but hitters are not?
There are numerous admitted cheaters in the Hall of Fame. Gaylord Perry and Whitey Ford being the most notable. They admit to doctoring baseballs throughout their careers. If those two did it, then you know others did as well. Why are their stats considered legit?
There are also many players that admit taking “greenies” was extremely common in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Aren’t “greenies” performance enhancers? How can we be sure the statistics from the 50’s through the early 80’s are legit?
A former Braves pitcher said he saw more than “greenies” being used during his time in baseball in the 60’s and 70’s. He said guys would use anything to get the “edge” including steroids made for horses. We know that steroids have been around since the late 30’s. We have guys admitting they were used by baseball players in the 60’s. So how can we be sure that all those great statistics from the 50’s through the early 80’s were not the product of steroids?
It’s ridiculous. Players from the 50’s through today that put up big numbers all deserve to be in the Hall Of Fame. It’s not like steroids can make anybody a Hall of Famer. I mean look at Jose Canseco’s twin brother, Ozzie. He took steroids just like Jose did, but he never made it to the majors for more than a “cup of coffee.” Same with Jason Giambi’s brother Jeremy. And every other player that took steroids that never made it to the majors.
Players of every sport will try to get the edge any way they can. It’s the leagues job to keep them from cheating. MLB has finally done that. Keeping steroids and “greenies” out of the game is the right thing to do. You do not want to put some young player in a position where he feels he needs to take them to make it. These drugs are very dangerous to the health of individuals who take them. Howver, MLB did not start enforcing this until 2002.
The Hall Of Fame voters that don’t vote McGwire in are hypocrites. They allow other alleged cheaters in, but not McGwire. That’s absurd.
The Hall Of Fame is not for saints. It’s for the great ball players of each era. If the Hall was for only the perfect humans, then there would not not be anybody enshrined.
By BB FAN
December 8, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this
Rex Boaz,
How do you know that Roger Maris did it the right way? Steroids have been around since the 30’s. Former pitcher Tom House has said he saw guys taking steroids in the 60’s and 70’s. Supposedly, guys would take anything to get that edge back then.
So how do you know who put up legit numbers? If they weren’t taking steroids, they were probably popping “greenies” which is also a performance enhancer.
By Dave in Tampa
December 8, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
If you let Mark in. You better let Pete Rose in!
By Sir Stealth
December 8, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this
This is easily the best column Mark Bradley has written in a long time, maybe ever. I agree with it one hundred percent. The members of the sports media have gleefully capitalized on their sanctimoniousness over the steroid issue just as much as they gleefully capitalized on the excitement that it generated eight years ago.
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 8, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this
What did Mark Bradley do to get a Hall of Fame vote?
I don’t mind McGwire being voted into the Hall, because I don’t think it should be illegal for grown men to put whatever they want into their bodies as long as everyone else in the league has access to those same substances. If McGwire wants his balls to look like marbles by age 50, then more power to him. But if you are going to vote for McGwire you better vote for Bonds too.
By Rex Boaz
December 8, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this
Oh, you can’t let Pete in, he gambled. Mark never did anything. He looked so pitiful in his testimony. When you talk about baseball, it seems as a fever has struck the fan and sports writer, anything goes and fans and sports writers will make excuses to justify anything. As a ST. Louis fan, this sort of excuse making disgust me with baseball.
By kevin O'Leary
December 8, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
Mark, you base the premise of of your vote on the fact that McGuire was never tested for steroids and that he retired before testing began. Based on that rational, are you going to vote for Sosa and Bonds when they become Hall eligible?
By dfree
December 8, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this
b******, he is a cheater, totally different than rose, he cheated durring the time he was playing,
By Dave
December 9, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this
Forget the andro and look at the stats: 16 years, 1626 hits, 1596 strikeouts. 100 hits a year is not HOF material. McGwire struck out once every four at-bats for his career, had a pedestrian .263 batting average, and never once won the MVP. Think about that- he was never once regarded as the best player in his league. And yes, take away his juiced ‘98 and ‘99 seasons and he’s almost exactly the same player as Kingman.
Heck, compare him to Jim Rice, who also played 16 years. Rice has over 2,400 hits, more RBI and Runs scored, a much better strikeout ratio, won an MVP, and can’t get a sniff of the Hall of Fame because he committed the unpardonable sin of not topping 400 homers.
Sadly, few seem to realize that there’s more to baseball than home runs, and that’s all McGwire has going for him.
By Nandrolone
December 9, 2006 01:06 AM | Link to this
Bradley, you’re pathetic. Gutless and pathetic. You’ve never lifted weights in a serious, powerlifting gym. You have no concept of what it takes to transform a body into comic-book dimensions. Needles and illegal drugs, that’s what it takes. Shove your “vote” up your ašš! McGuire is a fake!
By Michael
December 9, 2006 01:40 AM | Link to this
Steroids? Who cares? If a player has the numbers, he should be in the hall of fame. Gaylord Perry is a confessed cheater, and he was allowed in. George Brett used too much pine tar on his bat (which was cheating) and he’s a hall of famer. There should not be a double standard for today’s crop of players. Mark Grace once said in an interview with Dan Patrick, “if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.” Everyone turns a blind eye when players steal signs, pitchers put fist to mouth among other things, and claim it all “part of the game.” The only thing that gets under my skin is why the Braves couldn’t do a better job of cheating, and maybe we would’ve had 15 straight!
By Ken Stallings
December 9, 2006 02:45 AM | Link to this
Bradley, you are not sitting in a court room. The reason for “innocent until proven guilty” is because of the severity of putting people in prison. You were not sitting on a jury.
You had before you a Major League Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. You were authorized to use your common sense.
I’m sorry you failed to use it.
By GodHatesTrash
December 9, 2006 02:59 AM | Link to this
McGwire is an oafish redneck bum. Canseco was a better ballplayer, and more honest.
Thankfully Bradley, you’re in the minority. McGwire is toast.
By LJ
December 9, 2006 07:34 AM | Link to this
I’m sure Bradley also voted for George Bush and His gang of liars. McGuire should be voted into the cheaters hall of fame.
By Mcguire for Hall of Shame
December 9, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
Bradley- time to put down the ICE pipe. You’ve obviously had too much and it is clouding your judgement. Mcguire will NEVER find the Hall of Fame. He is and always will be a pimple on the a$$ of MLB.
By pr
December 9, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
if mcguire is in so sould dale murphy,al oliver,jim rice,bert byleven,andre dawson,dave parker,the list goes onnnn
By Jordan
December 9, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
how can you possibly vote for the guy? have you ever heard of CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE!?!? the guys as guilty as OJ Simpson, even though “technically” we don’t KNOW that he killed anyone. but at least OJ tried to defend himself — MM just said, like a little baby caught in the act, “i’m not here to talk about the past..”. that man, just like any other ‘juicer,’ should be denied any privileges he obtained while cheating.
(maybe you’re sticking up for the guy ‘cause you and him have the same first name)
By Jordan
December 9, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
michael, your reasoning is pathetic. would you use the same rational (ie, who cares if they’re cheating?) if it was your kids in school competing with other kids? would you then encourage them to cheat, too?
it sounds like you would like baseball to be a FREAK show, rather than an exhibition of god’s given talent!
By Barry
December 9, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
Sorry Mark. I’m usually in the distinct minority - I love your columns - but this time we completely disagree. Your vote is dangerously irresponsible. You should have asked me first before voting.
Baseball may not have regulated steroids until 2002 but every other major sport did. Heck, if you wanted to be an Olympic Curler or Synchronized Swimmer, you were still subject to rigorous drug testing.
For at least fifteen years, doctors and society at large have known that steroids were dangerous. McGwire’s known steroid of choice, Andro, was banned by every sport except baseball as a harmful supplement. On this issue, you can’t just look at what baseball did or didn’t do; you have a higher obligation to society. Remember Lyle Alzado?
Moreover, comparing McGwire to Whitey Ford and Gaylord Perry is ridiculous. Sure, Ford and Perry cheated but they did so WITHIN the game. Throwing a spitball is not illegal except within the game of baseball; it harms no one. But everyone knew that steroids were a danger inside and OUTSIDE the game; inside because illegal usage destroyed records that took generations to create and outside because steroids were a health hazard.
Except for home runs, Mark McGwire had a very pedestrian career. His Hall of Fame credentials are solely based on whether he may have hit 500 home runs without cheating. We’ll never know and that lack of knowledge is his fault alone.
Putting Mark McGwire in the Hall of Fame makes a statement: careful usage of illegal and harmful substances can promote an athlete to the highest recognized pinnacle of a sport. For society’s sake, let’s at least withold the recognition.
By Hope you feel the same way in 6 years
December 9, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
To your credit, you did say that you’d do the same when Bonds’s name comes up for the Hall… I don’t believe that AJC readers feel the same way. If Barry doesn’t get in on the first ballot, it will be yet another example of how tainted our country is by racism. McGwire and Bonds both probably used steroids, but that shouldn’t be enough to keep either man out of the Hall of Fame. However, there will be much more of an uproar when Barry is Hall eligible. I just hope that you continue to write as strong of pieces in Barry’s support as you did for Mark.
By sgdawg
December 9, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
You voted for a cheater. Absolutely no doubt the only reason he hit so many home runs suddenly. So it’s ok with you if somebody uses any drug to give them an edge over the rest. Shame on you.
By Jordan
December 9, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
Both Bonds and McGwire (and Sosa and Palmeiro and Grimsley and probably many others) cheated to get the stats you claim are HOF numbers. Therefore, none of them should be inducted.
By Michael
December 9, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this
Jordan
The point I was making is that we celebrate cheating by doing the “nod and wink game” when it comes to certain cheating and become holy rollers to other forms of cheating. Either cheating is bad in all forms, or it is not. Simple as that.
When you have confessed cheaters already in the hall, then you cannot keep out others you only “believe” to have cheated.
By Jim
December 9, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
It is a shame that sycophants like yourself actually get to vote for the Hall of Fame. I’m sure you will get all giddy if Barry Bonds and his bloated head becomes baseballs all-time home run king. Mcgwire has tarnished the american pasttime and you want to honor him?
By Mojorisin5691
December 9, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
Concur…take McGuire and you have to take that jacka** Bonds too…
By Doc Dawg
December 9, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
MLB, with the complicity of sportwriters such as Mark Bradley (and I use that term loosely) is slowly driving the last nails in its own coffin. Its become a spectacle for expense account types to schmooze clients, in by the 3rd inning, out by the 7th. There is no way for future generations to develop an interest in the game. I know my boys don’t care. And why should they? There are no heros to be found. Not only the performance enhancing drugs, but the utter lack of hustle by the Jones brothers types, the off the field problems paraded through the media, and the cry-baby labor disputes. I’ve bought my last tickets and I sincerely doubt my boys will ever develop an interest in the major league game. So long baseball….
By Prowler
December 9, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this
Mark, I think you’re going to miss your chance … somebody, somewhere, somehow has got to make a stand and say this is wrong, it’s wrong for the game and we are not going to legitimize it by continuing to turn a blind eye.
You yourself take the game to task for doing just that … if you really believe it, then use the power you have as a voter to deny Mark McGuire an honor that better men than he have been denied repeatedly.
By Timothy J Bradley
December 9, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
A defendant in a CRIMINAL case is entitled to be presumed not guilty (not presumed to be “innocent”)- in the baseball arena the rule is not that of law, but of common sense and reasonableness. By any standard Mark Maguire is a cheater who does not belong in the hall of fame. Period. End of story. That we do not know just how many of his homeruns are legitimate is his fault, his problem, not ours. He has to earn the right to be in the Hall. He didn’t earn it, he doesn’t belong there.
By Ripme
December 10, 2006 01:01 AM | Link to this
Mark was not only a cheater but his over all averages don’t add up to Hall of Fame standards except home runs and we know how he did that. Sorry Mark I thought more of you than that, guess I was wrong. Go back and put Shoeless Joe and Rose in too.
By Thedream21479
December 10, 2006 01:58 AM | Link to this
excellent article