Sadly for Mark McGwire, he’s no Harmon Killbrew
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I guess I’m supposed to hate former A’s and Cardinal’s slugger Mark McGwire. The reality is I just can’t. From all I ever saw about McGwire I have to believe he’s a decent guy that made an error in judgement. And who knows. If not for the steroid fueled chase of Roger Maris’ single season home run record between Sammy Sosa and McGuire, baseball might not be near as popular today.
Mark McGwire wanted to be like Harmon Killebrew. Be a quiet professional. Not be part of a bunch of fuss. Make his son proud. And perhaps most importantly to him, be allowed to mind his own business. Performance enhancing drugs killed that dream for McGwire. And his 586 home runs don’t really matter now. McGwire can’t go anywhere without being asked, booed and teased. Harmon Killebrew could go anywhere and be comfortably anonymous. If he was recognized, it was a thrill for the fan that recognized him. Harmon was glad to sign autographs.
When I was a kid in North Chicago we got the White Sox games on channel 44. I saw Harmon Killebrew a few times. I remember him hitting some home runs and the announcers, Harry Carey and Bob Waller I think the other announcer’s name was, talk about what a great slugger and ball player Killebrew was. I was a lousy hitter in little league so when I saw Killebrew’s book on hitting at the Navy Exchange I bought it. Even though Mark MaGwire is currently the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, I doubt many people would buy any books written by him. Unless it’s a tell all book but I don’t think McGuire is bitter or needs the money like Jose Canseco appears to.
So yeah. I feel bad for Mark McGwire. He’s not going into the Hall of Fame despite his numbers and impact on the game in the late 90’s. And while he was hitting 70 home runs in 1998 nobody was mad at him. When a reporter peeked in McGwire’s locker and asked him what Androsteine was doing in there, it was the reporter that got ripped. Can’t blame McGwire for thinking the fans were with him. At least they were till he stopped hitting home runs. Maybe that gives Mark comfort that at least Barry Bonds was hated before he stopped hitting them.
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Oh dear Holty…you are well and truly lost aren’t you?
For God’s (or the deity of your choice) sake man!…You aren’t American you are English. Taking American citizenship is a good thing if you want to live there but stop being so fucking politically correct and American will yer???
It’s getting embarrassing.
If you really think you like – or give a fuck about – baseball (rounders) then you need psychiatric help mate.
Just saying….;-)
Whatever substances McGwire allegedly took might have made him stronger, but he still had a good eye and his timing was excellent. Is there a good eye category in the Hall of Fame?
It’s called ‘Rounders’ in England is played by girls.
I will say no more….
Even in baseball it’s about “what have you done for me lately?”