Voters aren't that stupidKevin Cowherd
Baltimore Sun
No. Big Mac - now there's an ironic nickname - was only getting about 24 percent of the votes needed to make the Hall before he admitted to juicing.
On the contrary, given his often vague and incredible answers to Bob Costas on Monday night, he might have damaged his Hall of Fame chances even more.
He didn't really think steroids helped him hit more and longer home runs?
He didn't remember the names of any steroids he took, when most pro athletes won't even swallow a Tic Tac unless they know what effect it'll have on their bodies?
He only took steroids to come back from injuries, not to bulk up so he could smack tape-measure shots and reap ever-bigger paychecks? Please. The Hall of Fame voters aren't dumb enough to fall for that.
Nothing has changedBill Shaikin
Los Angeles Times
It's highly unlikely that McGwire's admission of using steroids will lead to his admission to the Hall of Fame.
If a voter decided McGwire's career batting average of .263 was too low for a Hall of Fame first baseman in an offense-first era, nothing has changed.
If a voter decided not to vote for McGwire because of steroid use, nothing has changed - indeed, that use has gone from suspected to confirmed.
And it is not as if McGwire gets credit for sharing his story out of the pure desire to come clean - he 'fessed up because the St. Louis Cardinals told him he could not dodge the media if he wished to accept his new job as the Cardinals' hitting coach.
Tougher decisions awaitDave van Dyck
Chicago Tribune
What's the difference?
Like none of the voters had doubts that Mark McGwire had been poking himself all those years? After his non-testimony before Congress?
At last check, the last true believer, Tony La Russa, is not a member of the Baseball Writers Association. Perhaps some voters will be swayed, but not enough to make a difference.
McGwire is not the first Hall of Fame "test" case, because his numbers are very iffy anyway. So are those of Rafael Palmeiro.
The real problem comes when Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens become eligible soon.
They have the numbers and not one has admitted to anything - yet.
Who's buying his story?Joseph Schwerdt
Sun Sentinel
Mark McGwire was right to finally come forward. It's obvious he is trying to clear the air before spring training when he assumes his duties as hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Motives aside, it had to happen. McGwire's refusal before Congress to talk about the past and address his own steroid use was an embarrassment - for him and baseball. What McGwire's admission won't do is get him in the Hall of Fame.
McGwire says steroids kept him healthy but didn't help him hit home runs. But who's really buying that?
McGwire may get a few votes for the Hall for his confession, but too many voters won't believe him, won't ever vote for a steroid user or maybe didn't think he was worthy all along.