Mark McGwire's steroid confession

On a monday where there really was nothing going on in the sports world Mark McGwire, in a testimony that surprised no one, took the opportunity to come clean about his steroid use during the 1990s. Now clearly there isn't a whole lot of sympathy or support for McGwire after he admitted this so late but I don't want to talk about whether he used PEDs to help hit home runs (he did, I don't care what he or anyone else says about injuries) or whether he belongs in the hall of fame (he doesn't) but rather how I think he made the best of a possibly bad situation by choosing to come out when he did.

The last time we heard from Big Mac was at that infamous congressional hearing five years ago when he refused to address steroid use in any way shape or form. I don't think anyone was prepared for his statement and a lot of people are wondering why now Mark? Personally I think his timing couldn't have been better given the circumstances.

Obvious when McGwire testified 5 years his plan was to basically plead the fifth and not refute the fact that he used PEDs, a move for which he was widely criticized at the time. In hindsight biting his tongue looks like the best move any of the players on that panel made that day especially when we think of how far Rafael Palmeiro fell after he flat out denied every using steroids and then testing positive the next year. I think McGwire was content after that to keep to himself and deal with the fact that everyone simply assumed he was guilty. I don't think his failing hall of fame bid had that much to do with his confession because he had received so little support in his first few years on the ballot that I'm pretty sure he had just given up hope.

The issue resurfaced because McGwire had been hired to be the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals this upcoming season and there is simply no way the media would leave the steroid issue alone now that he will be back in the MLB. He had to come clean at some point to end any speculation or distraction that might come about during next season and I think he couldn't have picked a better time. He choose a time in the MLB offseason where the fury of winter meetings and the free agency period had passed and there's a lull for the next couple of months before spring training. McGwire is finally biting a bullet that has been a long time coming and I think he's doing a good job of dealing with it. He's taking that unwanted steroid spotlight knowing that in time it will pass just as it did over guys like A-Rod and David Ortiz last season. He won't cause any distractions for his team and likely won't have to address the steroid issue very much anymore.

This will be a good move for McGwire because we will eventually become bored with his story especially since he isn't playing anymore and isn't a a viable hall of fame candidate. Both Mark McGwire and myself will be glad when that moment happens.