Aaron: Note steroid users' achievements with asterisk

San Francisco Chronicle

Cooperstown, N.Y. -- Hank Aaron seems OK with players linked to steroids going to the Hall of Fame -- so long as it's acknowledged with an asterisk.

"You put these guys in, put an asterisk beside their names," Aaron told a handful of baseball writers as Hall of Famers gathered for Sunday's induction. "To be safe, that's the only way I see you can do it. I played the game long enough to know it is impossible for players, I don't care who it is, to hit 70-plus home runs. It just does not happen."

Mark McGwire hit 70 homers in 1998 and Barry Bonds 73 in 2001, and both have been accused of using steroids. Aaron, whose 755 career homers rank second to Bonds' 762, added it's a good idea to "somewhere on the [Hall of Fame] plaque or beside his name say, 'Hey, 73 home runs and he's been accused ...' "

Reggie Jackson said it should be "duly noted" if a steroid user made the Hall of Fame.

Longtime Hall Famers (including Harmon Killebrew) and recent inductees (including Rich Gossage) have spoken out against steroid users getting inducted, and it's speculated certain Hall of Famers wouldn't show up if drug cheats are enshrined.

"They'd probably do that," Aaron said. "People I've talked to said they have resentment."

Killebrew said he still considers Aaron the career homers leader, but Aaron said, "I appreciate it, but it's still second."