18 Jan, 2010
Mark McGwire Admits Steroid Use
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former St Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire has admitted using steroids when he was a player, including 1998 when he broke the single-season home-run record.
"I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize," the 46-year-old said in a statement on Monday.
McGwire belted 70 home runs for St Louis in 1998 to shatter the record of 61 hit by Roger Maris for the New York Yankees in 1961.
The record was then broken again when Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants registered 73 homers in 2001.
McGwire last played in 2001 and was hired in October as hitting coach for the Cardinals. He said he wanted to set the record straight before beginning his new role with the team.
"It's time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected," he said.
"I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989-90 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," added McGwire who started his career with the Oakland Athletics.
He joined the A's in 1986 and his 49 homers the following year led the American League and set a rookie record. The 12-times All-Star was traded to St Louis during the 1997 season.
McGwire is eighth on the all-time home-run list with 583.
Story and photo taken from: http://www.reuters.com
Psalm 15:1-4 (NIV)
1LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He who 4keeps his oat even when it hurts.
John 4:13-14 (NIV)
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
The story of Mark McGwire is a sad one. McGwire was always a well respected player. In 1998 he became larger than life. He and Sammy Sosa were in a battle to see who would break the single season home-run record. A record that hadn't been broken in over 30 years. Well, McGwire won. He hit 70 homeruns that year. The record was previously 61. The story was a magical one. Fans flocked to see him play all over the country and it felt like that was the only sports story that year.
But McGwire had a secret. As this article documents, McGwire admitted to using steroids before and during that magical season. He had denied it for many years even though many suspected that he was lying. The results of the lie are that he most likely will not be admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame and many fans who adored him now have their hearts broke.
This is why God wants us to be truthful to ourselves and each other. It is often not easy because we want to keep up a perception of ourselves (make ourselves look better) that is not totally accurate. Like McGwire, we live a lie that makes us so anxious inside that usually surfaces and makes our relationship with others much worse.
Jesus encountered many people who were living lies. Notice how he deals with the Samaritan woman at the well in the passage above (read 4:1-23 to see how beautiful Jesus interacts with her). He knows she has been living a lie but instead of focusing right in on that he leads her to the greater truth of living water. The living water is Jesus Christ who washes us clean and leads us into truth — truth about ourselves, the world, and God himself.
- What things in your life are hiding from God?
- Are you painting a picture of yourself that is not totally accurate? If so, ask God to forgive you and allow you to be truthful with Him and yourself. Tell another person (whom you trust). Pray together that God would allow you to walk in His Spirit and in truth.
As you encounter others who are living lies be gentle. Instead of pointing out their sins or telling them they need to live better point them to the "living water" — Jesus. Read John 4:1-23 again and watch how Jesus dealt with the woman from the well. Notice how handles her sin honestly but lovingly. He doesn't say it's ok, but he also does not blast her. He is always pointing her to the true source of truth and life. May we do the same.
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