Mark McGwire says he 'definitely' could have hit 70 home runs without PEDs

quote:

The longtime Athletics and Cardinals slugger believes he would have reached the mark even without the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), The Athletic reported Monday.

“Absolutely,” he told the online sports outlet. “I just know myself. I just know. I was a born home run hitter. I mean, unfortunately, I did [take PEDs]. And I’ve regretted that. I’ve talked about that. I regretted it. I didn’t need to. That's the thing. Didn’t need to.”

McGwire added, “But I know. Deep down inside, I know me as a hitter. And I know what I did in that box. And I know how strong my mind is. And I know what kind of hitter I became. And yes. Yes. Definitely.”

Hes dilusional.

Believes his own BS!

McGwire looked as comfortable and natural swinging a bat as any hitter I've seen. I doubt PED's hurt his performance.

I do credit him with as amazing a sports feat I may have seen. Back in the day, in the PGA's off season, they held a skills challenge. I don't remember, maybe about ten touring pros faced off for two days of different golf situations.

They'd throw in some non-golf athlete for whatever reason. McGwire won that in fairly dominant fashion.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
I doubt PED's hurt his performance.

Well, uhh, yeah.

My dad was correct when he said it takes raw talent to hit a round ball with a round bat. He was of the camp that said steroids didn't matter one way or the other.

OK...I'll give him that it takes talent to hit the ball. But my debate with my dad was that PED's didn't necessarily make hitting the ball "easier", but what it did do was enable the abuser to recuperate and heal faster in those back-to-back-to-back games, thus allowing the abuser to be better rested in the 4th game of that road trip and having the strength to hit those home runs.

Others not taking PED's wouldn't be as rested and therefore not as strong. That's the edge I think PED's gave those guys...

quote:

I just know.

No, you don't know. You never will.

Yeah OK - That sounds about right Mark. You just keep telling yourself that.

Considering since the PED era has been over. Very few have been able to crest 50 home runs let alone even get close to 70.

Yeah, Mark Barry, A-Rod that whole crew sucks!

quote:

My dad was correct when he said it takes raw talent to hit a round ball with a round bat. He was of the camp that said steroids didn't matter one way or the other.

That is a total crock. Yeah, it mattered. Did you see how it physically changed their bodies. Marc M. and Barry B. and Roger C. were the really obvious ones. Yeah, it mattered. They all cheated themselves, those they competed against and those that paid to see them.

Yeah, Barry Bonds went from looking underweight to bulked up.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:...They all cheated ..

To me that's the main point. They were intentionally dishonest for personal gain. (And now he claims we would have been just as good had he been honest).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Scoutmaster,

I thought Mark didn't want to talk about the past?

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:OK...I'll give him that it takes talent to hit the ball. But my debate with my dad was that PED's didn't necessarily make hitting the ball "easier", but what it did do was enable the abuser to recuperate and heal faster in those back-to-back-to-back games, thus allowing the abuser to be better rested in the 4th game of that road trip and having the strength to hit those home runs.

"Hitting it" is one thing. That's probably an innate talent enhanced by years of practice. "Hitting the crap out of it" is definitely enhanced by PEDs.

Wonder what he's taking now? Surely it isn't a Mensa supplement.

I was a Cardinals fan at the time when McGire started here. It was exciting to watch the home run race between him and Sosa. Then came the steroids. Haven't followed baseball since that bullshit.

Asterisk behind his name, FOR LIFE.

Fucking cheater.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Yeah, Barry Bonds went from looking underweight to bulked up.

Just a little bit

Totally legit.

Before


After


After after

After Barry left baseball I had an occasion to talk with a former pro athlete turned orthopedic surgeon about Barry, his steroids and all that. During his pro days the doctor was good friends with Bobby, Barry's dad. Saw Barry as a kid all the way up through his baseball days.

He says without a doubt Barry is a prick with a huge ego and ego is why he used the PEDs. McGuire, Sosa and others were getting the headlines, money and flash and Barry wanted that too.

That said, he didn't fault Barry or the others for taking them because the steroids didn't give them any faster bat swing or hand eye coordination. These people all had trenendous athletic ability without the PEDs and they all were potential HOF material regardless.

As far as hitting the ball farther, he also said that the sanctuary of revered stats that fans are in love with isn't so sacred in the history of baseball and monkeying around with the game continues to this day.

Owners change the field dimensions for their hitters, they change the distance behind home plate and down the lines to catch more outs that might have gone into the stands.

So yes, McGuire is correct in that he was a natural born hiter who used PEDs to help his talent. Would Hank Aaron have made his record if the mound height hadn't been changed a few years earlier? Players used huge gloves to catch balls they might not catch so the game is messed with by everyone but the core talent doesn't change.