McGwire wouldn't "address the issue." It doesn't matter what McGwire said there would always be those who would claim that he was hiding something. So why say anything in the first place. There is no evidence, outside of claims by guys who have something to gain by focusing attention on someone else, that he took any illegal substance. That and the fact that he got bigger over the years. So have I, I just don't have as much in muscle as McGwire.
The big issue for the sports writers is that Mark NEVER gave them all the interviews and deference they believe they deserve. And now he won't give them the story they drool over, how he achieved greatness through chemicals. So they are going to punish him by denying him his place in the Hall of Fame, at least the first time around. I remember that magical home run year. I was living in St. Louis and got to the ball park just as often as my schedule allowed.
Sammy Sosa was the sports writer's darling because he'd give an interview to anyone. He loved the spotlight, all the time trying to keep the pressure on McGwire. McGwire just wanted to play baseball, and has always hated interviews and the spotlight. NOT the way to get into the Hall of Fame. You have to kiss up to the sportswriters, because they are the ones who vote. Big Mac will always have my admiration. He could have made more money by signing with the Yankees or some other team, but he wanted to play for the Cards, and for LaRussa. He could have sat on the bench, and continued to collect his guaranteed salary, but he retired and let the Cardinals use the money for younger players. In fact, he could have demanded more from the Cardinals, and gotten it, but he wanted the money to go for payroll to improve the rest of the team.
BTW, McGwire could have hit a few more homers, or gotten some more walks, if the umpires had used the same strike zone for him that they did everyone else. As I said, I made just as many games as I could, and I generally sat high, but right behind home plate. No idea on high or low, but I can tell you with certainty that with some umps the strike zone increased by six inches on either side of the plate when Big Mac was up to bat. An umpire was guaranteed a spot on Sports Center if he called out Mac on strikes.
