The Clones of Mark McGwire

During 1986 Mark McGwire was acquired by the Oakland Athletics by way of the USA Baseball Team. Mark McGwire won the American League Rookie of the Year in 1987 when he hit 49 home runs, 118 Runs Batted In, 557 at bats, and had a .289 batting average, he managed to achieve this without the use or aid of steroids. The next five years Mark McGwire would have an average of 35 home runs, but he would only hit 9 home runs in 1993 and 1994 due to some nagging reoccurring injuries that would hamper his overall productivity. Mark McGwire set the league on fire in 1996 where he would hit 52 home runs and lead the league in on base percentage .467, a phenomenal .730 slugging average, and was voted in as an American League All-Star for the seventh time.

When Mark McGwire came into the league in 1986 he weighed 215 pounds, and he was a lean natural hitter, this is what impressed the scouts, they knew that he could be developed into a power hitter with the right training. Without a doubt, it seemed that Mark McGwire was on his way to superstardom nearing the height of his career especially since he already had played in the majors for eleven years.

Just when his critics and many fans thought he could not best his last season, "Big Mac" hit 58 home runs, had 148 hits, and also had 657 plate appearances, in addition to hitting for 123 runs batted in. In 1997 Mark McGwire would be traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, the trade would resurrect his career from a prior two year slump of sorts. During the 1998 season Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs, this feat would shatter the all-time home run record held by the late Roger Maris - which his 61 home runs were a long time cherished record beloved by many die hard baseball enthusiast and fans world-wide.

The following year Mark McGwire would hit 65 home runs, and no baseball fan or media would question if this was by coincidence or natural raw talent. During the 2000 and 2001 season Mark McGwire overall batting average, runs batted in, and home run total were sub-par and average at best. The speculation of his dramatic decline did leave many baseball fans, sports analyst to question if he was taking some sort of steroid.

After Mark McGwire retired from baseball in 2001, the allegations and the Balco trial began to show that he may have not been so honest in breaking Roger Maris long-standing record after all.

After nine long agonizing years Mark McGwire has finally confessed to using and abusing steroids, not only did he lie to the public about his steroid abuse; he lied to himself and tainted his record breaking season. Time heals all wounds, or so they say, but the sad matter of the fact at hand is that there are many other Major Leaguers who are using steroids - and so they become the clones of Mark McGwire. If someday Mark McGwire is ever elected into the Hall of Fame there will be an asterisk next to his name and every other clone who are admitted after him, keeping the Hall of Fame records in their proper perspective.