McGwire Admits To Steroid Use

It was about a year ago when Alex Rodriguez admitted (well, was caught) to using performance enhancing drugs. Here, on January 11, baseball is once again saddened to find out that another popular slugger has taken steroids. Only this time, the victim is not as surprising.

Today, Mark McGwire admitted to taking steroids during the late 1990's. In 1998, McGwire smashed 70 home runs, breaking the single-season home run record (which was later broken by another alleged steroid user, Barry Bonds). McGwire and Sammy Sosa were neck and neck for the home run race, but McGwire finished on top -- thanks to a little help. (Sosa, whose face is now discolored, tested positive for steroids.)

"I wish I had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I
truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid
era."

McGwire finished his career in 2001. During his career he smashed 583 home runs, batted .263 and had a .982 OPS. McGwire made the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot, but did not get in. The steroid controversy certainly will effect some votes from some writers.

McGwire is finally getting back into the game, which may have led to his confession. McGwire will be the Cardinals batting coach in 2010. Manager Tony LaRussa even went the distance of saying that McGwire could be activated as a pinch hitter in a pennant race!

I'm glad McGwire admitted it, but it doesn't remove the fact that he still took them in the first place. With all the Mark McGwire news, everything else in baseball has been overshadowed... and it's a shame it's for steroid purposes.

McGwire admitted to steroids, the sun rose, and it set today. Randy Johnson was measured to be tall; Bartolo Colon to be pleasantly plump.

Chase Utley admitted to excessive hair gel use. Utley claims he used LA Looks, which is legal around the league, but rumors are stating that Utley uses Redken, which is banned by baseball.

Okay, well the Utley thing is not true (well, it SORTA is), but it's a nice segway into today's real MLB news:

Greg Maddux will be the Cubs assistant general manager. Maddux is a first ballot Hall of Famer who had a 3.16 career ERA.

The Reds signed Aroldis Chapman to a five-year, $30 million deal. Chapman, a left handed pitcher, was Cuba's prized prospect. He tops 100 on the radar gun, but needs to improve his command.

The Giants agreed to sign Aubrey Huff, the Pirates are closing in on a deal with Ryan Chruch, and the Rangers signed Vladimir Guerrero.

QUOTE SOURCE: MLB.com