Hall of Fame unworthy

Players who took steroids or won't come clean about them don't deserve selection.

February 12, 2007
 
Five years ago, who would have thought that Mark McGwire, the player credited with saving baseball with his record-breaking 1998 season, would receive only a third of the votes required to make the Baseball Hall of Fame? Some may think this punishment is unjust to a man who hit 583 career home runs, but baseball writers casting the votes sent a message that those who have used or are suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs are not welcome in Cooperstown. Other star ballplayers connected to possible steroid use, such as Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds, will be eligible in upcoming years, while McGwire remains eligible for the next 14 years. However, voters shouldn't let time change their minds.

The rules for election into the Hall of Fame state that voting is to be based not only on playing ability but also on sportsmanship, integrity and character. Although no one can deny the ability of McGwire, Palmeiro, Sosa or Bonds, their integrity, sportsmanship and character have been called into question regarding possible steroid use. If they have used steroids, they have tainted baseball and cast a dark shadow that lingers over the game today.

Records that used to be looked back on with awe now raise suspicion. McGwire's 70 home runs in 1998 drew great fanfare when he broke the previous record of 61 set by Roger Maris in 1961. However, after McGwire refused to be forthright before a congressional committee investigating steroid use, that record became suspect. In 2003, Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs, but his ties to steroid use have raised questions about his record, too. This year he continues his chase for Hank Aaron's record of 755 career home runs, but if he breaks it, that feat, too, will raise eyebrows.

Steroid use is cheating and generally improves athletes' performance. Cheating is a character deficit that has no place in the Hall of Fame. Those players who have come clean about their steroid use say they turned to drugs because they felt pressure to keep up with other athletes who used them.

But that's a cop-out. Instead of taking steroids, these players could have worked harder to get even more out of their talent and ability. By choosing drugs, they shortchange themselves and any chance at the Hall of Fame.

Two players who proved that you can succeed without taking steroids were just elected to the Hall of Fame. Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn worked extremely hard and went the extra mile to stay in the elite level of the game without taking steroids. They are two of the great guys in sports and are both deserving of the honor.

As for players such as McGwire, Sosa, Bonds and Palmeiro, the best thing that they can hope for, if in fact they have used steroids, is to admit it and apologize. They also need to be willing to work toward cleaning up steroid use in baseball. If they do, they would help their legacy, but it still shouldn't clear the way for them to be in the Hall of Fame. -- BILL SPAULDING, Notre Dame High School