<div id="subtitle">After McGwireÕs admission, sport should work to stop drug use in the game</div><div><p> After being dogged for years by allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, retired slugger Mark McGwire on Monday admitted to using steroids over much of his career, including during the 1998 season when he hit a record-breaking 70 home runs.</p><p>McGwire said he used low doses of steroids and tried human growth hormone Òonce, twice maybe.Ó His admission is not surprising. In his book ÒJuiced,Ó Jose Canseco, an admitted steroid user, implicated McGwire. The two muscle-bound sluggers were teammates on the Oakland AÕs where they were dubbed the Bash Brothers.</p><p>Although Canseco has had no problem talking about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, McGwire has tried to avoid the issue. He was known for his strong work ethic and weight-training and would only admit to using what was a legal, but controversial, over-the-counter supplement that boosted testosterone. A painful appearance before Congress in 2005, in which he wouldnÕt directly answer questions about whether he used steroids, only inflamed suspicions. Hall of Fame voters snubbed him because allegations of steroid use hung over his candidacy.</p><p>Recently named the St. Louis CardinalsÕ hitting coach, McGwire apologized Monday for using steroids and bemoaned playing in baseballÕs steroid era. He has, however, become the face of that era.</p><p>Although players like McGwire have taken the blame for tarnishing the leagueÕs image because of their steroid use, baseballÕs ownership should accept its role as well. The league knew about the problem for years but did little to deal with it. Its drug policy allowed players to use drugs and supplements that were banned in others sports and the Olympics.</p><p>Baseball had a stake in the rise of home-run hitters such as McGwire. For example, fans jammed ballparks in the 1998 season when McGwire and former Cubs star Sammy Sosa, who has faced allegations of steroid use, were competing to break Roger MarisÕ single-season home-run record. The long ball drove in big revenue for Major League Baseball.</p><p>With big contracts awaiting home-run hitters and little to no penalty for using performance-enhancing drugs, players essentially had the leagueÕs tacit approval to bulk up with steroids.</p><p>The question is whether the league has cleaned up its act. It has since strengthened its drug policy, but it will take time to see if the new rules are effective. In the meantime, fans are still cynical, and that is a shame. Baseball should be committed to making sure the games are fair and players arenÕt illegally gaining advantages.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=67245616&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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