Steroids are classified as performance enhancing drugs. Did Mark take steroids? At the congressional hearing he refused to answer direct questions about the subject. He did say that he would use any celebrity influence that he may have to discourage young people from taking steroids.

Listed as No. 5 on the Hall's guidelines for voters is the phrase that most defines the qualifications of a Hall of Famer. It says: "Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played."

Let us not forget that baseball is not only a game, but entertainment. But not only that, to the players that play the game, it is competition. Each player is competing against every other player in the game whether they be a team-mate or not. Player contracts pay players based on their PERFORMANCE.

At the time that Mark McGwire is suspected of taking steroids, MLB had no official rule prohibiting the use of steroids. To this day MLB has no way of testing for Human Growth Hormone(hGH) and no official rule against hGH. In time I am sure that this will be rectified when the science of testing catches up, but until then, players are probably still using hGH to enhance their performance.

Can we blame them? Like I stated above, better play equals more money. Every single person on this planet wants to make more money. It is the American way. Baseball is America's past-time. People go to the game to be entertained, to see Home Runs, to see runs cross the plate, and finally to see their team WIN.

I think that Mark McGwire should be allowed into the Hall of Fame. He was only doing everything that he could to be a better baseball player. He was only doing everything that he could do to entertain the fans. Did he make more money because of steroids? Probably. Would you do the same? Probably.

Think about this. Mark McGwire was BORN with the TALENT to hit a baseball. BORN with the TALENT to see a ball coming at him at 90+ mph and make contact. He was hitting Home Runs before he started taking steroids. Just like Barry Bonds, Mark was born with this talent. That kind of talent does not come from a syringe, needle, or pill.

Yes, Mark McGwire should be in the Hall of Fame.

Learn more about this author, Keith Smitherman.
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