The McGwire Debate

Alas, I am posting tonight because I wanted to get the issue of McGwire off my chest.

As we all know, Cal and Tony Gwynn are virtual locks to Cooperstown in 2007.

However, the Bunyan-like figure, McGwire is another case together.

Let's hark back to 1998. In the dust of the strike that drove away fans from the game, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa brought fans back to the baseball because of the chase to Maris's record. We all know McGwire broke the record that year and made baseball into a bigger part of the lexicon of America that summer.

However, it seems that many writers are torn whether or not to let him in the Hall, whether it be on the first ballot, if ever.

I find it hypocritical that many of the same writers that glorified McGwire in '98 are now the same ones who won't care to ever vote him in nine years later. Are the press the moral police now even though many knew or were suspicious of him during that period?

Ok, the use and distribution of performance enchancing drugs is against the law and is actually a felony, but with the suspicion going around baseball at the time, did the powers that be even care to follow US law in light of their pocketbooks being lined with green?

No. Simply, chicks big the longball and power sells.

In that time since the homerun chase to this day, Canseco came out with his bomb of a book, baseball has instituted a drug policy, and the Mitchell report, the answer lies should McGwire ge into the Hall of Fame?

As much I as want to say yes, he should - he needs to first talk about the "past" and openly admit he did indeed take performance enchancing drugs. America is a very forgiving society, and there should be some latitude towards players who are eligible for the Hall of Fame during the so-called steroid era, McGwire needs to face the music first.

Not that I have the privledge to vote someone into the Hall of Fame, but McGwire really needs to explain himself before he's ever granted entry - by anyone.