Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk Blasts Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens

Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk did not mince words when asked about Mark McGwire. Fisk, a 24-year big league player and 2000 Hall of Fame inductee, cut McGwire deep during an interview with the Chicago Tribune.

When asked about McGwire's assertion that steroids did not significantly impact his home run totals, Fisk stated bluntly, "That's a crock. There's a reason they call it performance-enhancing drugs. That's what it does—performance enhancement. You can be good, but it's going to make you better."

Fisk asserted that McGwire, and other steroid users, reaped the benefit of inflated numbers, longer careers, and enormous financial gain.

"Some guys who went that route got their five-year, $35 million contracts and now are off into the sunset somewhere. Because once they can't use [steroids] anymore, they can't play anymore," Fisk stated.

"Try having your knees operated on and catching for 30 years," Fisk added. "Do you think you feel good when you go out there? [McGwire] had to stand around and play first base. So excuuuuuse me."

Fisk's ire wasn't just directed at McGwire.  The former Red Sox and White Sox catcher targeted Roger Clemens and the right-hander's sudden peak performance when he arrived in Toronto in 1997.

"The reason he got let go from the Red Sox [after the 1996 season] was because he was starting to break down," Fisk told the Tribune.

"His last couple of years in Boston just weren't very productive, a la 'The Rocket.' Then all of a sudden he goes to Toronto and he wants to show somebody something. Then he gets two consecutive Cy Young Awards [in '97 and '98]. Come on, give me a bucket."