Mark McGwire admitted Monday to using steroids during his professional baseball career. AP:
McGwire said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade.
"I wish I had never touched steroids," McGwire said in a statement. "It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era."
McGwire also used human growth hormone, a person close to McGwire said, speaking on condition of anonymity because McGwire didn't include that detail in his statement.
McGwire's decision to admit using steroids was prompted by his decision to become hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, his final big league team. Tony La Russa, McGwire's manager in Oakland and St. Louis, has been among McGwire's biggest supporters and thinks returning to the field can restore the former slugger's reputation.
"I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come," McGwire said. "It's time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected."
Finally. At least McGwire admits to it now. Yes, he should have admitted to it years ago, but he has come clean and hopefully it's the full truth. He's got nothing to lose by saying this now. My respect level has gone up for McGwire now that he has just admitted the truth.
Now should he make the Hall of Fame? In my opinion, no. But at least his conscious is clean now. I'm sure that takes a load off his shoulders.