In an email written at 8:30 this morning to Jimbo:
"I think he's being a little bit delusional in terms of how steroid use can affect a player's ability to hit home runs. Yes, he is correct, he was given a gift to hit home runs and yes, studying pitchers and shortening your swing (huh kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid) will help your ability as a hitter. There is no disputing the fact that PED's make you a stronger person AND there is a facet of hitting that is affected by a person's strength. If he'd admit that he doesn't think he would have broken the record without taking PED's, the baseball world would be a better place. Now is the time to send the message and put Ty Cobb's mind at ease."
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Apparently, his decision to admit his usage...was prompted by him becoming the hitting coach for the Cardinals. And a great hitting coach he'll make. During his heyday, his swing was virtually untouchable, much like Bonds. I referenced "huh kid" up there when McGwire refers to his shortening his swing, which at the time was a glorious example of physics and human ability, because I was privy to the Great Billie Johnson, hitting coach extraordinaire, who is a philosopher of sorts and used to reference McGwire's swing frequently during our "sessions." The pull between instinctual reaction and studied calculation in a baseball swing is incomparable. To break that down to a physical science a great achievement on some levels and him, along with a few other guys have truly progressed the art of hitting.
I'd like further insight to this though, "I was not in a position to do that five years ago in my congressional testimony..."
1 comment:
I don't see how they can keep the Steroid guys out of the hall of fame. First off I think so many people were doing it, hitters, fielders, and pitchers, that it was a fairly level playing field. Secondly how come the Steroiders are 'bad' but all those folks taking 'greenies' (aka amphetamines) in the 60's and 70's so that they could keep up the energy to play through baseball's grueling schedule are somehow not bad. Seems hypocritical. And thirdly Gaylord Perry admitted to doctoring baseballs, throwing spitters, lubing the balls with KY, and all sorts of illegal activities but yet he's in the hall.
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