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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2010 > January > 13 > Entry
Believing Canseco over McGwire
Jose Canseco may have a resume filled with foibles, transgressions and pure knuckle-head behavior — I’ve known him since his days at Coral Park High in Miami and have seen a couple of these screw-ups first hand — but I’ll still believe him over Mark McGwire any day.
Five years ago in his book Juiced, Canseco — who teamed with McGwire to form the power-hitting Bash Brothers of the Oakland A’s from 1986 to 1992 — said that the two of them used steroids regularly.
McGwire denied it.
When called before Congress and asked about his steroid use, McGwire again refused to tell the truth, this time trying to wiggle away with his repeated stone-walling “I’m not here to talk about the past.”
Now comes his blubbering, disingenuous mea culpa — orchestrated by sports consultant Ari Fleischer, who was George W. Bush’s press secretary — that was done just in time so he can return to baseball as the St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach. And once again it seems to skirt a lot of truth.
Although in a series of calculated interviews earlier this week he finally admitted using steroids and human growth hormone for a decade — including the 1998 season when he shattered Roger Maris’ home run record — McGwire claims he only took the stuff in “low dosages” and only to help him heal faster from injuries.
Asked what drugs he took, he says he can’t remember.
But somehow he does remember he took them in “low dosages.”
That’s hard to believe.
I am glad he admitted as much as he did and I certainly don’t think he — and the few other players willing to admit to their steroid use — should be the only fall guys here.
Baseball’s owners, the players’ union and managers, too, all have been complicit in this. Home runs create a buzz around the game, more fans show up, everyone makes money and, of course, a manager can keep his job if a guy is jacking baseballs out of the park non stop and winning games for him.
That said, McGwire still has manipulated his message the past few days.
When ESPN’s Bob Ley asked him why he didn’t talk to Mitchell five years ago, he blamed it on his lawyers. I’m sure if this calculated soul bearing goes south, he’ll point the finger at Fleischer.
When asked repeatedly by Bob Costas if he thought his taking performance enhancing drugs effected his performance — more specifically if it helped him hit all those home runs with Oakland and especially the Cardinals — he said no.
Again, pure baloney
Then he tried to paint himself as something of a victim by saying he wished those drugs had “never come into my life.”
They came because he brought them in.
And if you listen to Canseco, they came willingly.
In Juiced, Canseco said he and McGwire — before games — would inject each other with steroids in the clubhouse bathroom.
McGwire still denies that happened.
Canseco took him to task Tuesday on an ESPN show in Chicago, saying: “I can’t believe he just called me a liar…again.”
In turn, McGwire — suddenly able to remember everything — told ESPN: “I am not going to stoop to his level. …None of that stuff happened. I know it. He knows it.”
Up to now though, what Canseco “knows” on this topic has turned out to be true.
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Comments
By RC
January 15, 2010 12:42 PM | Link to this
There is so much magical thinking about the effects of steroids on athletes (particularly in baseball), and it’s a topic I’ve personally never seen addressed anywhere. When I hear that steroids make you “better”, I need an explanation – why do they make you better? Steroids do decrease injury recovery times, and I’m sure that injured players whose roster spot is shaky would be sorely tempted. But they don’t magically make you a better hitter. I’ve always suspected that increased power numbers are due mostly to increased body mass – how much “strength” do you get to apply during the tiny fraction of a second the ball is in contact with the bat? And body mass is not an advantage for a pitchers (which is why there are no giant Barry Bonds-sized mutant pitchers). Pitchers used steroids to help recover from the abuse their arms took over the course of a season, not to try to “keep up” with the hitters. I would really like to see some kind of scientific analysis of the effects of steroids on the game. I’ve been waiting a long time.
By Fed Up
January 15, 2010 10:28 AM | Link to this
It’s hilarious everytime jerks such as McGwire inject God into their conversations as if by doing this, it proves what they are saying. God couldn’t care less about these thugs and whether they can hit, throw or run. Go back and notice how many times he talks about “God-given talent”. Yeah, well if you had so much talent, Mac, why take the drugs? Go on national tv and cry like a little baby. When I heard you, I said, yeah, he’s a republican. Get your A$$ in trouble and then whine about it.
By tom you are the best
January 15, 2010 8:42 AM | Link to this
It is probably Bush’s Fault. Ohh and who cares, its the past let the man live, for as long as he can. Can’t you find out anything else to write about.
By not a fan anymore
January 15, 2010 7:34 AM | Link to this
Steroids work that’s why athletes take them. Everyone wants an edge. If any profesional sports is serious about getting drugs out of their sport then they would random test EVERY athlete multiple times a year with a stringent progressive discipline exacted on EVERY violation, not justified by medical consensus. Failing that, all they are saying is we like the results, we just don’t want the stigma. If a player used drugs in an era untested or not banned then perhaps shame on them but there should be no recourse. As far as hitters using steroids in a era have there not been incidents of good pitchers using them too? Just trying to balance the playing field and “muscle” it right on by? Does that taint the strike out records? Or is it raising the bar on both sides of the plate?
By Ken
January 15, 2010 7:08 AM | Link to this
“Source” got it right. Eye-hand coordination makes contact with the ball. Steroids help get it out of the park. How many of those home runs would have just been caught in the outfield w/o the use of steroids?
By Really
January 14, 2010 8:31 PM | Link to this
Mandy, so which current players are juicing? Curious, do you think Tiger Woods has used ‘roids? No need to test because Mandy ( sorry if I’m picking on you ) can tell by looking. We know many people aren’t happy and want to treat these guys like dirt but, once again, was it banned when they took it? Was it tested for? What was the penalty if they tested positive? Whether you believe in innocent until proven guilty or not…how can these guys be penalized if they didn’t do anything against the rules when this took place?
By mandy
January 14, 2010 4:20 PM | Link to this
I think its so stupid when a caught players say it doesn’t help—then why in H-ll did they take it more than once.!! .and when a guy after age of 20 has major growth spurt that makes his hat size grow by more than an inch I pretty much assume he is juiced—look at 1st year players card for bonds and mcquire and then look 10 years later—their heads physically got bigger not just their ego..and I am pretty sure every player who injects a needle into their body is aware of what they are doing—you just don’t stick yourself for the fun of it usually
By Who's On First?
January 14, 2010 3:39 PM | Link to this
Theshawn, is it cheating if it wasn’t tested for, wasn’t banned and, no positive test results prove it? We’re you speeding on the way home if you weren’t given a ticket? We’re you cheating on your girl, if you checked out someone else? Rocket science…Sorry, I may never see your point. Baseball has no control over the HOF, although they probably could if they wanted but, anything done by baseball to these players of old is a tricky path and one that needs current union involvement even if it means a strike.
By theshawn
January 14, 2010 3:07 PM | Link to this
I love the copout artists who think cheaters should get the same respect guys who don’t cheat get….Hey, they deserve to be in the HOF cuz of their numbers the cheating apologists say….We who don’t cheat, have no respect for a performance that includes cheating, end of story. If you cheat, you’re out. It’s not rocket science.
By JON B
January 14, 2010 2:13 PM | Link to this
One may bare one’s soul, hence, baring one’s soul, not bearing soul.
By Tom
January 14, 2010 1:14 PM | Link to this
Never visited the Hall of Fame and have no desire, I don’t care about the HOF. Not sure why baseball would let writers decide who belongs instead of peers but, that’s the way it is. If they want to keep out the hit king, eligible by the rules the day he was suspended, and Bonds, the best player in my lifetime ( could be relaced by ARod when he’s done ), then the HOF is a bigger joke than I thought. Gee, we have a HOF that doesn’t include the leaders of this category or that…brilliant!
By jacob
January 14, 2010 11:57 AM | Link to this
McGwire’s not getting in. I live in St. Louis and listen to 101 EPSN almost every day. The overwhelming majority of sports fans here agree he either shouldn’t be allowed in the HOF, or he won’t get the votes anyways. This past ballot, he only garnered about 30% of the votes. He’ll never get 75%. And that is fine with me. If Bert Blyleven can’t get in, then there is no way McGwire or Bonds should be in either. “The writers should not be involved with the hall voting.” Typical whiner. Whenever someone who a whiner wants in doesn’t get in, the automatic response is “the system isn’t fair!” grow up. McGwire knew darn well he doesn’t deserve to get it. If steroids were “condoned until recently” then why the heck would he lie about it all these years. I wish I could have pity for McGwire, but I simply don’t.
By Scott
January 14, 2010 11:40 AM | Link to this
Steroids were not banned by baseball at the time. Everyone who points to Pete and says that these players should be banned are missing the point. Baseball has had one major commandment for decades, “Thou Shalt Not Bet On Baseball.” Steroids were condoned until recently, almost encouraged with a nod and a wink. These guys worked hard and went to extremes to to win and improve themselves. Call it cheating, but baseball has a long colorful history of cheating.
By Willie
January 14, 2010 10:56 AM | Link to this
MLB should ban all of these users from baseball. Pete Rose was banned for betting on the game but if he would have used drugs he would be managing again and be in the HOF. Steriods/PED’s cocaine, have had a bigger impact on the game than gambling ever has had.
By Brian
January 14, 2010 7:37 AM | Link to this
Canseco vs. McGwire? Which to believe? The first liar doesn’t stand a chance… Seriously, who cares? It is already clear both are long-time drug users.
By Professor
January 13, 2010 11:12 PM | Link to this
Source, your calculations don’t add up because not everyone on steroids hit more than 21 homeruns. I’m sure someone could go back and look at every bat but, the wind might keep it in the park or the wind might aid it. Are you suggesting everyone build a dome and keep it at the same temperature and humidity? What about the pitchers? Mark Schlemmer, former baseball coach and local sports radio guy, thinks a short reliever can’t throw 94-95 mph fast balls for 3 or 4 days in a row without a little help. Like somebody posted, why aren’t those guys throwing 100+? If HGH is bad and isn’t tested for or can’t be detected, how many use that?
By Source
January 13, 2010 9:26 PM | Link to this
Old School Everyone knows that steroids don’t improve hand-eye coordination. However, guys like McGuire and Bonds put on 30-40 lbs of muscle as a result of HGH. These guys lift a lot of weights and are much stronger as a result of the steroids. Just as they were capable of bench pressing 100 lbs more than they could without steriods, they can now hit a baseball further than before. Consider how many high fly balls these guys would typically hit to the warning track in a given year. If every one of these balls now goes 15 feet further thats a lot of newfound homeruns. Lets be conservative and figure one very deep fly ball (that used to be an out) every 30 at bats. (thats very reasonable for a power hitter) Each of these now travels an extra 15 feet and becomes a homerun. Every 30 at bats occurs 21 times (based on 4 at bats per 162 games) per season. This calculation would add 21 “steriod” homeruns to these guys. I don’t know of anyone who would argue that steroids enhance hand-eye coordination. It’s not a matter of batting average, it’s a matter of increased power hitting
By FordFairlane
January 13, 2010 9:05 PM | Link to this
HeII, OJ Simpson is a killer and he’s in the HOF!
By ohio ex patriate
January 13, 2010 8:24 PM | Link to this
Easy there nyc. Sounds like one who knows but is afraid to come forward and expects the press to be mind readers. Possibly your “story” doesn’t have any legs. Get over it.
By Old schooler
January 13, 2010 7:03 PM | Link to this
For someone who supposedly knew McGwire from way back, you and others seem to forget 1 or 2 things. 1. McGwire was hitting bombs out of the yards long before he got involved in the steroid issue. 2. If it weren’t for him and Sammy Sosa, baseball may not have made it into the 21st century. 3. I’m not sure, but I don’t believe that hand/eye coordination is improved by steroids or HGH. Yes I am a Cardinals fan, yes I think he should be allowed in just because he helped save baseball. There are members in the hall that have done drugs, that have done other shady things, yet nobody cares about them. Integrity my butt. The writers should not be involved with the hall voting. Most of you have your own agenda and if some ball player tweaks you the wrong way or doesn’t fit your mold you do your damnedest to make sure they don’t make it. Let their numbers and their PEERS vote them in, not you loser reporters.
By meg
January 13, 2010 4:03 PM | Link to this
And Pete isn’t allowed in the Hall of Fame…
By nyc
January 13, 2010 3:54 PM | Link to this
By Tom
January 13, 2010 2:08 PM | Link to this
I’d advise “Dad” not to take junior anywhere. His favorite band may lip sync at a concert you paid big money for. Who knows, some day you may read about a golfer or race car driver juiced…oops.
By No longer America's pastime
January 13, 2010 1:21 PM | Link to this
And that, son, is why I don’t take you to the ball park amymore. Love, Dad
By Larry
January 13, 2010 1:20 PM | Link to this
The problem isn’t whether player x or player y used steroids, it is what will be done about it. Jose Canseco thinks somebody that juiced is probably already in the hall of fame and, if the “list” isn’t revealed before enough time has passed then others will get in. So, do you accept that this was done when there was no testing…no penalty…or, testing that can’t detect? Do you punish the ones you know about only to later find out the pitcher/hitter was on something? Do you accept that it might have still been a homer but not as impressive? Do you say someone was helped one day but not the next without proof? I’m inclined to take the numbers as they are…spit ball era, dead ball era, high mound era…whatever and move on.
By Ed
January 13, 2010 1:17 PM | Link to this
I do think it’s vindication for Canseco. Everyone treated him like crap because of all the ugly, and true, things he laid out concerning steroids use by MLB players.