A year after the steroid hearings, tremors persist, By: Joe Strauss
March 17, 2006, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
JUPITER, FLA. — Today marks the first anniversary of congressional hearings into steroid use in Major League Baseball. Tremors begun that day continue to roll through the game.
Attended by Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Curt Schilling and Jose Canseco, the hearings became a catalyst for MLB's tougher steroid policy. Palmeiro, whose denial of steroid usage that day included wagging a finger at the committee, tested positive last summer and is no longer playing. Sosa remains without a contract following an abortive season with the Baltimore Orioles.
To many, McGwire remains diminished by the experience. Unlike Palmeiro, McGwire made no assertion of innocence. Instead, the former single-season home run record holder parried questions about an issue that continues to mushroom.
"It's been a year. He's thought about it a lot more than I thought about it," La Russa said before Thursday afternoon's Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles. "Whatever seems right to him is OK with me. I respect him.
"I haven't been thinking about it every day. I don't want to do what a lot of people do, which is think about it for 10 minutes and then believe they have an expert opinion. I don't think that's smart or fair."
La Russa managed McGwire with the Oakland A's and the Cardinals. Last spring, he served as McGwire's most ardent supporter before the marathon hearings last St. Patrick's Day.
During the run-up, La Russa repeatedly impugned the credibility of his former MVP outfielder, Jose Canseco, and Canseco's book alleging rampant steroid use within the game. Among Canseco's claims was that he and McGwire, his one-time Bash Brother in Oakland, injected each other in bathroom stalls.
When March 17 arrived, an afternoon thunderstorm washed out the Cardinals' Grapefruit League game, allowing players and coaches to watch the hearings via a clubhouse television and the Internet. McGwire's refusal to detail his experiences stunned many, including his friend and former manager.
At the time, La Russa rationalized McGwire's testimony as a product of flawed legal advice. Others were less forgiving and interpreted the slugger's refusal "to talk about the past" as a tacit admission of guilt. Debate has ensued about whether McGwire is fit for induction into the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in November.
"What I also observed that day, and said at the time, he presented himself poorly," La Russa recalled. "He was uncomfortable. He was not responsive. So he left himself open to take damage from people who would have liked him to handle it differently."
Today's anniversary coincides with a firestorm ignited by recent allegations San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds became an enthusiastic steroid user after McGwire set the single-season home run record with the Cardinals in 1998. Commissioner Bud Selig is reportedly leaning toward investigating Bonds as he closes on Hank Aaron's all-time home run mark of 755.
Cardinals Hall of Famer Lou Brock thought McGwire's testimony represented a lost opportunity as well as an invitation to anyone inclined to believe his record 70 home runs were a product of pharmacology as much as talent.
"If there is an educated man or woman sitting there listening to that and drawing a conclusion of guilt, then I don't see how (McGwire) could object to that. His silence, in a way, provides them that opportunity," Brock said.
"He had the opportunity to say more," Brock added. "I do wish he had said more ... more that was relevant to the issue on the table."
Brock, a Hall of Fame outfielder and former all-time stolen base king, says he won't pass judgment on Bonds and remains skeptical regarding his alleged steroid use. But Brock also realizes he may be among a minority.
"At some point, the truth will prevail," Brock said. "He may break the record. But at some point it will come out. It's not going to go away. And what will baseball do? It was in our arena that it took place."
A witness at an October congressional hearing regarding ethics in sports, Brock said he believes McGwire did not use steroids. But he also holds the game responsible for the controversy because of its reluctance to enact a steroid policy.
"I think Mark could have said 'I played by the rules of the game,' which he did. Whether he used it or if he didn't use it, there was no rule against it," Brock said. "Would Mark have hit 70 home runs with or without it? Yes. Because he hit 49 as a skinny rookie."
McGwire did use the hearings as a stage to volunteer as a spokesman for an anti-steroid crusade. But during an appearance at Busch Stadium last August, McGwire altered his pledge, instead saying he would never again address the issue.
La Russa, who maintains McGwire strengthened himself legally under supervision of current Cardinals first base coach Dave McKay, Thursday wished for a player of stature to assume the role McGwire pledged himself for last March.
"I have long felt, and still do, there are certain players who need to publicize the legal way to get strong," La Russa insisted. "That's my biggest complaint. When those players have been asked, they've been very defensive or they've come out and said 'Whatever.' Somebody should explain that you can get big and strong in a legal way. If you're willing to work hard and be smart about what you ingest, it can be done in a legal way."
Added La Russa: "That's the basis of why I felt so strongly about Mark. I saw him do that for years and years and years. That's why I believe it. I don't have anything else to add. Nothing has happened since he made that statement to change my mind."
La Russa and general manager Walt Jocketty remain close to McGwire. The steroids issue, according to La Russa, has never become a focus of conversation.
"He knows I've defended him," La Russa said.
This March, however, finds La Russa less outspoken. Thursday was the first time he has spoken at length about the issue since the fresh allegations arose about Bonds. La Russa chafed when reminded that some, including Hall of Famer Willie McCovey, claim Bonds is receiving rougher treatment because of race.
"Mark is retired. Bonds is still playing," La Russa said. "If Mark was playing and the information about what is going on had been uncovered (about him), he'd be getting the same. I'm confident of it."
La Russa maintained his friendship with McGwire does not color his beliefs.
"I think the accusation is serious enough that you can't allow a personal relationship affect your personal opinion," La Russa insisted. "What I was going on was the hard work I saw him do. I saw him hit 49 home runs in 1987. I've seen this man's incredible talent. I've seen him work."
Brock offered a broader indictment, one that bypassed individuals and rests with the game.
"It doesn't really matter what baseball comes up with or determines," he said. "The ultimate arena for truth or innocence is in the minds of men."
