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Block UserWhile FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal said that he can't quite bring himself to cast his Hall of Fame vote for the first prominent slugger of the Steroid Era to make it onto the ballot, here's what you had to say ...
ShooterB: When McGwire left the game, he was one of the most beloved players of all-time...and just a few years later, he is one of the most suspicious from the era? I believe if you are going to make that distinction about those from "The Steroid Era", then you should make it for everyone. Even those that weren't suspected, like Greg Maddux & Glavine. Keep in mind that before he was caught, Palmeiro would have probably been in that category. So your vote is going to be based on nothing more than public image? It will be interesting to see what happens in the future. By the way, when did the steroid era actually end? And what if someone is caught early in their career(and never again), but goes on to post Hall of Fame numbers? I think it's a tough call, but either way...you should be consistently fair about it.
seyah: Travesty. How can you possibly vote for the steroid induced performances of the Bonds and McGwires and put them in the same category (Hall of Fame) as those of Ruth, DiMaggio, Williams, Musial etc.? Apples and oranges. Enhanced performance players don't belong!!!!!!
bluegrassbroker: I am amazed at how many people forget that McGwire's season in '98 singlehandedly revived baseball. He may have made mistakes, but that has never been proven, period. Regardless, of all the accusations, he was an on and off the field leader and a great player. Certainly worthy of a HOF entrance. The idea that sportswriters like Rosenthal would "send a message" by not voting him on the first ballot, only to vote him in later is just as idiotic and hypocritical as taking steroids. He either deserves to be in, or he doesn't. Based on the evidence, I say he does.
Persecution: McGwire deserves to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Too much power is given to the so-called baseball writers, they are nothing but little minds and want-to-be athletes. Ball players should be voted by their peers.
dodgerdoug: If we are going to send the message that cheating to attain records is not going to be tolerated, now is the time. By NOT allowing McGwire and the related ilk (Sosa and Bonds) enter the HOF perhaps we can show others who come to play the game that character still means something in America.
mrextreeme: Baseball will reveal its character (or lack of) with this vote. The very least McGwire should suffer for his questionable character and actions is not making it in on the first ballot. At least make a little distinction between him and great players/men like Ripken and Gwynn. I question arguments that justify McGwire (and the rest of the lot) with lack of definitive evidence and then proceed to claim that McGwire is just a product of the 'Steroid Era'. The 'Everyone's doing it' justification requires definite evidence that it is indeed a fair playing field with everyone juicing. Exactly what these proponents insist is required in the other direction ... Keep the dopers out for at least a year if there is doubt about their character.
toncakes: I just want to say that I am disgusted by this. Mark McGwire helped breathe life back into the sport of baseball and is is a beloved sports legend. It has never been proven that McGwire used any illegal steroids and personally I don't know why anyone would just take Jose Canseco's word for anything. Since when did we as a nation start punishing people based on hearsay and circumstancial evidence?? Mark McGwire is an American Hero in my book and deserves to be recognized as such! Shame on you Ken Rosenthal, shame on you!!
jesaus: I was opposed to Mark McGwire making the Hall even before the steroid controversy. He is one of the most one-dimensional ballplayers ever seriously considered for enshrinement. He has fewer than 1,700 base hits, a lifetime BA of .262, was a mediocre fielder and could not run. Rafael Palmeiro, who everybody was dissing even before his fall from grace, is, in my opinion, far more deserving of getting the benefit of the doubt; he was a true, all-around ballplayer.
melvin302: I'm tired of hearing about these so called steroid allegation keeping great players out of the hall of fame. You people in the media think that these guys take steroids they become super athletes. Truth is more college athletes use steroids than professionals. How many of them do you see breaking records? My point is that there is only speculation that Mac used steroids, no proof. Do we prosecute people in court without evidence? Until there is evidence, all you sports writers who wish you had the talent to do what the athletes you persecute can, keep your opinions to yourself.
egeorge: Mark is a credit to the game. He did nothing illegal and against the rules. He should be elected to the HOF as soon as he is eligible!
HawaiianSpike: The enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a professional baseball player. One gets there by having a stellar career (being a pro among the pros) and accomplishing that feat fairly. Mark McGwire did not do that. He doesn't deserve the honor. He hasn't earned the right to sit among the greats of baseball who, by the way, got there the hard way, they earned it.
I'm disappointed in those responsible for nominating him in the first place. What were they thinking? By nominating McGwire, they are essentially condoning the illegal use of performance enhancing drugs by professional baseball players. Those responsible for nominating McGwire in the first place should lose the right to make future nominations. Maybe they should do the nominating for the Baseball Hall of Shame instead?