Mark McGwire Says He Would Have Broken Home Run Record Without PEDs

Mark McGwire admitted he used performance-enhancing drugs during his MLB career, but believes he didn't need them to set records. 

In an interview with Jayson Stark of The Athletic, McGwire said he could have still broken the single-season record with 70 home runs in 1998 even without the help.

"Absolutely," McGwire said, via ESPN. "I just know myself. I just know. I was a born home run hitter. I mean, unfortunately, I did [take PEDs]. And I've regretted that. I've talked about that. I regretted it. I didn't need to. That's the thing. Didn't need to."

McGwire had been a feared hitter for years with the Oakland Athletics, but he took the nation by storm in his first year with the St. Louis Cardinals, battling Sammy Sosa to be the one to break Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs set in 1961.

The first baseman hit 70 home runs that season and 65 in 1999. Barry Bonds eventually broke the record with 73 home runs in 2001.

While McGwire maintained that he had been clean throughout his career, he finally admitted to steroid use in 2010. Still, he thinks this didn't make an impact on his production during his playing days.

"Deep down inside, I know me as a hitter," he said. "And I know what I did in that box. And I know how strong my mind is. And I know what kind of hitter I became."

He retired in 2001 with 583 home runs but failed to earn a spot in the Hall of Fame after 10 years on the ballot. You need 75 percent of votes to be inducted but McGwire never topped 25 percent, per Baseball Reference.

The 54-year-old is currently a bench coach for the San Diego Padres.