Major League Baseball Pushes the Knife Deeper in Mark McGwire’s Back

I’m by no means an advocate of steroids, and I can’t say I’m a fan of those who gain an unfair advantage with the use of performance-enhancing drugs. I have no official connection to major league baseball, nor am I eligible to cast a Hall of Fame vote.

But as a fan, I have an opinion, and can rightfully point out something equally unfair and also used to gain an edge.  This wrong didn’t occur on the diamond nor did a uniformed player partake in the act.

It took place in the league front office, carried out by those governing the game and desperate for a star.

The 1994-'95 player strike left baseball struggling to retrieve fans. A decline in attendance and television ratings forced a reduction in player salaries, and the league was left waiting and hoping for anything to boost popularity. Three seasons later, that hook appeared in the form of sluggers Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

These two men, from two baseball towns, embarked on a historic chase to match and surpass the record 61 single season home runs hit by Roger Maris in ‘61. Commissioner Bud Selig, and other baseball powers, watched seats fill and networks begin to bid on games.

They also listened to the speculations of juicing, and turned a blind eye to the obvious, while choosing to address the ridiculous.

Two separate accusations swirled with home-run totals rising. Some conversations were blazing with assumptions of a change in product manufacturing, while others contained that despicable word “steroids.” With Sosa and McGwire closing in on the longstanding record, baseball set the public minds at ease, ensuring us that the “ball” wasn’t juiced, and is wound and manufactured the same as it had been for many years.

As far as the players, everything remained hush. Baseball didn’t deliver a public statement, because baseball didn’t care. We were living MLB’s version of “don’t ask, don’t tell”.

Here we are today, eight years after McGwire’s retirement and with baseball back in full bloom. Marketing and profits pushed forward, and the man that gave it a jump start is pushed into seclusion. I can still look back and see the celebration for McGwire’s 62nd home run.

I can still remember Sammy Sosa running across his legendary home field with the American flag in hand. I remember the cheers and joy for baseball’s saving heroes, though I’m suddenly not supposed to. It’s all swept under the rug. It never happened.

My cheers, and yours, were for naught. We should have known better, though those in position to confirm nationwide suspicion gave us silence. It’s the player’s fault for using, and ours for believing otherwise. Those that govern the game draw no fault, and now exchange their salesman hats for those of enforcers.

Mark McGwire’s name has appeared on the hall of fame ballot twice in the past two years. They place his name beside others, knowing he won’t be granted entry. They place his name on the ballot and drive the blade deeper in his back.

The 1998 do-it-all for baseball marketing has become the league example of what “not to do”. It’s funny how you can belt a home-run ball that will land in Cooperstown, but the man swinging the bat will not.

View a list of those enshrined in the baseball Hall of Fame, and you’ll see no shortage of cheaters, but you’ll notice that it lacks scapegoats.

There is no penalty for those that sat in their offices and allowed it to happen. The league continued to prosper, and Bud Selig today is the highest paid commissioner in American Sports. And someday in the future, when we visit the Hall and view the 62nd home-run ball, we’ll also pass a space dedicated to the former baseball boss. Fair? I’d say not.

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!