Last week, in a case of the worst kept secret in baseball
history, slugger Mark McGwire finally admitted for the
record that he used steroids during his playing career.
After tearfully refusing to answer steroid questions
before Congress in 2005, it was obvious McGwire had used
steroids during his playing days.
And even though he hit a then-record 70 home run in
1998, and along with Sammy Sosa was widely credited with
saving baseball after the 1994 players’ strike wiped out the
World Series, McGwire will never gain entry into the Hall of
Fame.
Although many wanted him to admit his steroid use, he
said he doesn’t feel the steroids helped him hit home runs
or even hit the ball farther, saying he only took steroids to
recover from injuries. Which is, of course, ridiculous.
In the long run, unfortunately, it’s the Baseball Hall of
Fame and the Cooperstown merchants who rely on big
Induction Weekends who will suffer greatly from what is
now being called ``The Steroid Era.’’
McGwire has been on the ballot for four years and has
never received 25 percent of the baseball writer’s vote. He
surely would have been a first ballot inductee and big draw
if not for steroids.
In 2013, both Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens will become
eligible. If not for steroids, this likely would have been
the biggest Hall of Fame Weekend ever, surpassing even
that of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn in 2007.
But now it’s likely neither of them will get voted in. With
Pete Rose already banned from baseball for gambling this
would leave the Hall without the game’s all-time hits leader
and all-time home run hitter.
In 2009, Hall of Fame attendance dipped below 300,000
for the first time since 1997. In these tough economic times,
people need a reason to travel to Cooperstown and the Hall
has done everything in its power to improve programming
and add new artifacts.
But the stain of steroids is bound to haunt the Hall for
years to come as big name stars fail to gain entry and fans
get another excuse not to travel to Cooperstown.
inactive
January 26, 2010
Steroid era will hurt Hall
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- Mayor, board deserve praise Hats off to the mayor and village board for their work on formulating a budget for the coming year that calls for a reasonable tax rate increase while maintaining services and planning for capital improvements.
- It’s time to be creative For the last few weeks, we’ve devoted a lot of space in the paper to the dire news coming out of Cooperstown Central School regarding their projected budget for next year. With state aid decreasing, teachers and programs may be eliminated next year to make up the shortfall.
- Time to work together The election is over and we offer our congratulations to Joe Booan, Alton Dunn III, Lynne Mebust and Leslie Friedman for their victories.
- Katz is our choice for mayor Next Tuesday’s annual village election has a full slate of candidates for mayor, trustee and justice. Our choice for mayor is Jeff Katz, the senior member of the village board and the current Deputy Mayor.
- We’re in this together This year’s village election offers an interesting look at a pervasive aspect of small town politics _ newcomers versus native sons or daughters.
- Jump is annual highlight Our hats go off to all jumpers who took the plunge into freezing-cold water during the 15th annual Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump held on Saturday.
- Classic changes should enhance fans’ experience After last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Classic, we wrote an editorial outlining some changes that we felt would make the game more appealing to baseball fans. Coincidentally or not, we’re pleased to see museum officials have addressed most of those concerns for the second Classic, which is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 20.
- Every little bit helps The village’s attempt to capitalize on some of its unique baseball heritage is a step in the right direction. The plan to take advantage of the village’s iconic Doubleday Field by licensing the commercial use of images of the field and marketing a newly developed logo creates a welcome new revenue stream.
- Village should speak up Two weeks ago, Congressman Michael Arcuri said what should be obvious to everyone _ our water supply is our most valuable resource.
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