http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2005-03-18-mcgwire-stands-firm_x.htm
McGwire holds firm under oath
By Chris Jenkins, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — In the past, Mark McGwire has issued statements that he did not use illegal performance-enhancing drugs as a player. But facing Congressional committee hearings on steroid use on baseball, he was the only player unwilling to make the same claim under oath.
McGwire became emotional in making his opening statement, saying, "My heart goes out to every parent whose son and daughter were victims of steroid abuse," McGwire said.
"I didn't come here to talk about the past," McGwire said, noting he would "redirect" his foundation to help prevent youth steroid abuse.
Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said he respects the players' right to privacy but asked McGwire and others if using steroids was cheating.
Said McGwire: "That's not for me to determine."
Answered McHenry: "For you, individually, is it cheating?"
Said McGwire: "That's not for me to determine."
McHenry asked McGwire what his message would be as an anti-steroid spokesman. "Steroids is bad," McGwire answered. "Don't do 'em."
"How do you know they're bad?" McHenry said, asking if McGwire had seen their effects on others. "I've accepted, by my attorney's advice, not to comment on that issue," McGwire said.
McGwire's final challenge came from William Clay, D-Mo., who asked McGwire if he could tell children that he had "played the game with honesty and integrity."
McGwire answered again that he was "not here to talk about the past," eliciting snickers from the gallery.
Robert 21 (Baseball Fan), "I wanna welcome Mr. McGwire to these Hearings."
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
Robert 21: "In 1998 did you hit 70 home runs to break the single-season record set in 1961 by Roger Maris ?"
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
Robert 21: "What did you have for Breakfast....was IT Wheaties fortified with Roids ?"
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
Robert 21: "Mr McGwire, is it true that you once quite a Game of T-Ball, and ran Home with the T ?"
Said McGwire: "I'm Retired,"
Robert 21: "Thank You Mr. McGwire, we appreciate your Honesty."
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
McGwire holds firm under oath
By Chris Jenkins, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — In the past, Mark McGwire has issued statements that he did not use illegal performance-enhancing drugs as a player. But facing Congressional committee hearings on steroid use on baseball, he was the only player unwilling to make the same claim under oath.
McGwire became emotional in making his opening statement, saying, "My heart goes out to every parent whose son and daughter were victims of steroid abuse," McGwire said.
"I didn't come here to talk about the past," McGwire said, noting he would "redirect" his foundation to help prevent youth steroid abuse.
Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said he respects the players' right to privacy but asked McGwire and others if using steroids was cheating.
Said McGwire: "That's not for me to determine."
Answered McHenry: "For you, individually, is it cheating?"
Said McGwire: "That's not for me to determine."
McHenry asked McGwire what his message would be as an anti-steroid spokesman. "Steroids is bad," McGwire answered. "Don't do 'em."
"How do you know they're bad?" McHenry said, asking if McGwire had seen their effects on others. "I've accepted, by my attorney's advice, not to comment on that issue," McGwire said.
McGwire's final challenge came from William Clay, D-Mo., who asked McGwire if he could tell children that he had "played the game with honesty and integrity."
McGwire answered again that he was "not here to talk about the past," eliciting snickers from the gallery.
Robert 21 (Baseball Fan), "I wanna welcome Mr. McGwire to these Hearings."
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
Robert 21: "In 1998 did you hit 70 home runs to break the single-season record set in 1961 by Roger Maris ?"
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
Robert 21: "What did you have for Breakfast....was IT Wheaties fortified with Roids ?"
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
Robert 21: "Mr McGwire, is it true that you once quite a Game of T-Ball, and ran Home with the T ?"
Said McGwire: "I'm Retired,"
Robert 21: "Thank You Mr. McGwire, we appreciate your Honesty."
Said McGwire: "I'm not here to talk about the past,"
