Left field

UPDATE: Does Big Mac belong in the Hall of Fame?

Josh Hargreaves

Jan 11, 2010 20:18 UTC

In a statement sent to various news outlets on Monday Mark McGwire finally admitted what many had already suspected.

“I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize,” McGwire said in the release.  “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.”

McGwire said his decision to talk about his steroid use was prompted by his new position as St. Louis’ hitting coach.

McGwire said he feels he has an obligation to talk about this part of his career and answer questions.

The Lasting Hangover of Baseball’s Steroid Era

Today’s report by the New York Times revealed David Ortiz to be the latest in an ever-growing list of Major League Baseball players guilty of using illegal performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Ortiz’s name is now included on what has become an overhyped and mysterious list of names that tested positive back in 2003, before mandatory testing was put into place.

It was confirmed that Ortiz’s 2003 Boston Red Sox teammate Manny Ramirez is also present on the list, confirming lingering suspicion surrounding him ever since Ramirez was suspended 50 games this season for using an estrogen-based drug that acts as a masking agent for PEDs.