Baseball Archive

The Big Mac is now the Big Cheese: McGwire admits to steroids use

By
Zuri
Published: January 11, 2010Tags:
The Big Mac is now the Big Cheese: McGwire admits to steroids use

Mark McGwire has finally admitted to steroids use.

I think this is an amazing development in the post-Mitchell report era.

Mark McGwire has admitted to steroids use.

Wait…. let that sink in for a little bit …. Yes. Yes, it’s true. He’s admitted to steroids abuse … excuse me … use.

Score one for the sports journalists.

I think at this point, we’re looking at a full-fledged redemption plea in the works. After watching Andre Dawson get shooed in for the Hall of Fame last week, McGwire has poo-pooed his way back into the limelight the Pete Rose way. He took a play out of the Mea Culpa Book of Christ. As expected.

Now, as the collective eye of sports journalism cocks its head back toward Barry Bonds and uses its ever judgmental probe to pry him loose of his own confession, I’ll sit idly by and be thankful that I was right in tune with Captain Obvious and steadfast against the cheaters.

Score one for the journalists. Score one for me.

Here is the full text of McGwire’s statement he sent to the media:

“Now that I have become the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, I have the chance to do something that I wish I was able to do five years ago.

I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come. It’s time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected. I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize. I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989/1990 off season and then after I was injured in 1993, I used steroids again. I used them on occasion throughout the ’90s, including during the 1998 season.

I wish I had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era.

During the mid-’90s, I went on the DL seven times and missed 228 games over five years. I experienced a lot of injuries, including a ribcage strain, a torn left heel muscle, a stress fracture of the left heel, and a torn right heel muscle. It was definitely a miserable bunch of years and I told myself that steroids could help me recover faster. I thought they would help me heal and prevent injuries, too.

I’m sure people will wonder if I could have hit all those home runs had I never taken steroids. I had good years when I didn’t take any and I had bad years when I didn’t take any. I had good years when I took steroids and I had bad years when I took steroids. But no matter what, I shouldn’t have done it and for that I’m truly sorry.

Baseball is really different now — it’s been cleaned up. The commissioner and the players’ association implemented testing and they cracked down, and I’m glad they did.

I’m grateful to the Cardinals for bringing me back to baseball. I want to say thank you to Cardinals owner Mr. DeWitt, to my GM, John Mozeliak, and to my manager, Tony La Russa. I can’t wait to put the uniform on again and to be back on the field in front of the great fans in Saint Louis. I’ve always appreciated their support and I intend to earn it again, this time as hitting coach. I’m going to pour myself into this job and do everything I can to help the Cardinals hitters become the best players for years to come.

After all this time, I want to come clean. I was not in a position to do that five years ago in my congressional testimony, but now I feel an obligation to discuss this and to answer questions about it. I’ll do that, and then I just want to help my team.”

Update: Mark McGwire does not get the HOF nod

By
Zuri
Published: January 6, 2010Tags:
Update: Mark McGwire does not get the HOF nod

Update, 4:11 p.m.

If you haven’t heard, Mark McGwire did not get the Hall of Fame nod, conjuring up 23 percent of the votes. He needed 75 percent — or 405 votes — to be inducted, marking a continued dismissal by Baseball Writers Association of America members for his alleged steroid use.

Do you think this is the right decision? You can still vote below.

You can see the release from the BBWAA here.

—
I’m not sure if I’m as outraged by steroids as I was five years ago.

Oh wait, yes I am.

Today, we’ll find out if the collective baseball trust is still outraged as well, or if they’ve chosen to fall down on their swords of principle and let the red-haired slugger Mark McGwire into the Hall of Fame. (Details come in at 7 p.m. EDT.)

His numbers are still astonishing (583 home runs, including that magical 70 season in 1998). And his place in history is vague.

Will we always look at him as an embarrassment, unable to talk about the past? Or will we, after being introduced to the Mitchell Report and its fallout, be softened by our obviously moralistic tone?

I’d prefer we take McGwire and every other suspected cheater and put them on a black list for the HOF. And if they wanted to get off of the black list, they’d have to perform a lie-detector test (not 100 percent, but close) to become eligible again. And yes, they’d have to talk about the past.

What do you think?



And then there was one … Matt Holliday

By
Zuri
Published: December 30, 2009Tags: ,
And then there was one … Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday is on my 2010 wish list for the San Francisco Giants.

With the signing of Jason Bay causing galactic waves in Red Sox nation, Matt Holliday remains the last viable free agent on the market.

Wish list dreaming over here.

C – Bengie Molina
1B – Pablo Sandoval
2B – Freddy Sanchez
3B – Mark DeRosa
SS – Kevin Frandsen
LF – Matt Holliday
CF – Aaron Rowand
RF – Fred Lewis

A couple things about this list:

  1. I know the knock on Fred Lewis. His fielding is terrible and he’s been inconsistent at the plate, but I’d argue for upside over downside on him any day.
  2. Bengie Molina isn’t great, but Giants fans shouldn’t expect him to be either. He’ll get his numbers — slowly and untimely — and will look good on paper at the end of the year. But the positive is he’ll modestly provide stability at catcher and coach up the pitching staff, which is still relatively young, well throughout the year.
  3. I haven’t given up on Kevin Frandsen — or Nate Schierholz — but the time for patience is coming to a close. If they can’t prove that they’re worthy of their roster spots (you can throw Freddy Lewis in this mix) after 2010, the black and orange will need do a total restructuring without these fellas.

Am I the only one who thinks Mark DeRosa is a step sideways, rather than a step forward?

G-men, your move.

Hey Giants, still waiting on that big move

By
Zuri
Published: December 25, 2009Tags:
Hey Giants, still waiting on that big move

I wouldn't mind either Matt Holiday (left) or Jason Bay. Would you?


I woke up this morning, Christmas Day, and I was very disappointed.

Wonder why? Because I live in Red Sox nation and my baseball team is almost forgettable.

For shame.

If San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean were Santa Clause, Giants nation would be unwrapping Matt Holiday or Jason Bay for the 2010 season.

That would be a really nice gift. In fact, it’d be the best thing they’d done in a couple of years for the black and orange.

If the Red Sox and the Yankees don’t want to pay the money, then mid-level teams like the Giants, the Cubs, the Rangers and the Angels, need to swoop in and make an offer these guys can’t refuse. And seeing how Holiday is already acclimated to the Bay Area, it would be a good fit for him. And I’m positive we could stick him in the outfield anywhere.

To finish off my holiday wish list, I’ll take Adrian Gonzalez for the cherry on top.

Hey, I can dream, right?

Does your ball club suck? Don’t worry, they’re just consistent

By
Zuri
Published: December 22, 2009Tags:
Does your ball club suck? Don’t worry, they’re just consistent

Doesn't it look happy? (AP photo)

Doesn't it look happy? (AP photo)

The San Francisco Giants have been on the cusp of being a really good ball club for the last two seasons. This has been exemplified by the great staff pitching, and highlighted by two Cy Young awards for righty Tim Lincecum, the star of a very deep rotation that can extend to six pitchers if it really wanted.

And that’s where the highlights end.

Giants fans have promise in young guys like Pablo Sandoval, but are remiss to find golden nuggets elsewhere. In fact, if you asked any true fan of the black and orange, they’d be willing to throw in half the club — including Aaron Rowand — for another dynamic hitter. One which opposing teams would have to account for in the lineup. (I think all ball clubs are looking for that special hitter.) But you won’t see the Giants make a move for one. And neither will your sucky ball club.

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Giants have me on edge — and I like it!

By
Zuri
Published: September 6, 2009Tags:
Jonthan Sanchez is my homeboy -- so long as he keeps winning.

Jonthan Sanchez is my homeboy -- so long as he keeps winning.


Two days in a row the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies have pulled off wins. For the last three days, they’ve matched wins and losses. In the last 10 games for each team, the Rockies have gone 4-6 and the Giants have gone 7-3.

Yes, things have been interesting.

This is a playoff chase people. This is the nitty gritty that we always talk about. And the No. 1 thing in our way — in front of destiny — is the Godless Rockies. Even worse, a dependence on the Arizona D’backs to step up and win some games for the home team (the Giants).

I’m on pins and needles over here and I think I like it. Watching the game today with Jonathan Sanchez up against Braden Looper of the Brewers. Yeah, we’re playing the Brewers and I’m seeing fireworks.

That’s awesome.

The National League Wildcard standings as of Sept. 5, 2009.

The National League Wildcard standings as of Sept. 5, 2009.

You can’t outduel 11 strikeouts

By
Zuri
Published: September 4, 2009Tags: ,

They say Pedro out-dueled Tim Lincecum. I say they dont know what theyre talking about.

They say Pedro outdueled Tim Lincecum. I say they don't know what they're talking about.


The Phillies beat the Giants 2-1 last night (as the Rockies lost as well) and everyone seems to clamor that Pedro Martinez out-dueled Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum.

Hellooooo!!! Lincecum allowed two runs in the game, struck out 11 batters and gave up four hits. Martinez allowed one run (a homer), struck out nine and gave up five hits.

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Is it do or die yet for the Giants?

By
Zuri
Published: September 2, 2009Tags:

Is Brad Penny the fifth sign? Will he carry the Giants rotation to the promise land?

Is Brad Penny the fifth sign? Will he carry the Giants' rotation to the promise land?


My San Francisco Giants have had the pleasure of going most of the season without me penning at least 10 end-of-the-world columns in which I disparage this player or that, take Brian Sabean’s name in vain, and curse Bruce Bochy for his … being him.

Football has been on my mind, as you can tell. Along with Tim, we’ve been on football nonstop since two months ago. Last month, we wrote 22 football posts. That’s crazy. (Also, I think it’s the most we’ve ever written in the blog in one month. Chalk half of it up to our Super Bowl predictions, which are getting crazier every day.) But now I’ve got to focus in on what’s important: The National League Wildcard race.

(Yes, the start of the NFL season is going to be my No. 1 and I’ve still got two more fantasy football drafts to go, but I have to take into consideration a viable playoff chance for one of my favorite teams. Get off my back already!)

With Brad Penny riding in on a white horse, the Giants beat up on the defending World Series champions 4-0 Wednesday afternoon to edge the Giants closer to payday. He put in eight innings of bliss, making me still wonder — no, believe — that the Giants have the best five-man rotation in all of baseball and bats be damned, the team’s pitchers are going to will them into October.

It’s the only way.

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MLB All-Star game: Obama’s mystery pitch

By
Zuri
Published: July 15, 2009Tags: , , ,

I posted quite a few things on Twitter/Facebook in the beginning of the all-star game. Most of them observations on how things were going down in the leadup to the game.

I did not realize until actual game time that President Barack Obama would actually be throwing out the first pitch. (Call it my ignorance, but I just hadn’t been paying attention.)

Here’s what I posted on Twittter/Facebook about the pitch:

They didn’t have the behind view of the President’s pitch, I’m guessing just in case he effed that up… it’s been known to happen.

As Obama got to the mound to throw the pitch, Fox gives this terrible angle where you can barely tell if it’s going to reach the plate. To make matters worse, the camerman edges away from the plate as his throw approaches Albert Pujols, who is allegedly catching the ball. Afterward Fox announces everything is all good and the rest of the world is pissed.

Here’s the video:

Can Fox at least get the camera angles straight. The behind the pitcher angle is the one thing that should never be messed with, not even for presidents. As I said before, notable folks have been known to screw it up, but that’s the hilarity behind watching it.

Thanks again Fox for ruining that moment.

Sanchez’s gem gives Giants options

By
Zuri
Published: July 13, 2009Tags: , ,

Jonathan Sanchez

Jonathan Sanchez has arrived — and with him the wonderful world of choice.

In the four years that Sanchez has been a San Francisco Giant, he’s been rightfully labeled “potential” and “project.” He almost screwed that up this season with a 2-8 record before being promptly sent to the bullpen by manager Bruce Bochy, giving rise to Ryan Sadowski. In fact, if it wasn’t for Randy Johnson being old, he’d still be a middle reliever stuck on a team with too many of those guys.

And if it weren’t for Noah Lowry being on the disabled list for the rest of his life, Sanchez wouldn’t have even been in the rotation.

But Friday’s no-hitter — the Giants’ first since 1976 and the first of the MLB season — gives way to new and more interesting developments. Like football, the Giants have a pitcher’s dilemma.

Unlike football, this is a good problem to have.

There’s a stacked deck in favor of what the Giants can and want to do for the future, including trade options, bait and development. With Sadowski on the rise, Lowry in purgatory, Cain, Johnson and Lincecum locked, the Giants have the best six in baseball hands down. And while the issue of not having a bat didn’t go away because they didn’t make a move or because Pablo “Panda Bear” Sandoval is absolutely awesome, standing pat isn’t really an option. No, a slugger in the mix will be a recurring theme in the story of the ‘09 and 2010 G-men. Sanchez just drew himself the short straw on who will potentially be Brian Sabean’s next trade piece come winter for whoever that bat will be.

That’s a win for the Giants. And even if Sabean doesn’t want to part with Sanchez, whose best days are still ahead, he can continue to shop Cain (although I dislike this) and eventually drop Lowry off at the next meat market whenever he passes a physical. (Are they still paying that guy?)

Point is, the list of options just expanded ten-fold with a game the entire baseball community is buzzing about.

“Hey, world! Giants players are good, too. Come trade with us!”

It’s OK to look at the fringe benefits of an historical moment. But maybe, just maybe, we should bask in the glory of witnessing something so fantastic for a little longer. Where were you when Sanchez dominated the Padres? Did you get to see those nine innings of bliss, 27 outs of joy and wash down that inescapable error with a shot of triumph.

I’ve been watching the replay of all 27 outs on MLB.com, just taking it all in. On Saturday, I took in the game from center field of AT&T Park and there was no other accepted topic of conversation.

“Did you see Aaron Rowand’s catch? He looked like Willie Mays.”

Yeah, he did.

And Sanchez looked like all the potential we have been hoping for since mid-year last season.

He has arrived.

Editor’s Note: This column originally appeared in The Union.

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