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XXXXX DRUDGE RETORT XXXXX 19:47:22 UTC MON SEP 14 1998 XXXXX Cheering Fans Enable Home Run Champ's Co-Dependency!
By Ehrlichmann ST LOUIS -- Embattled slugger Mark McGwire, under increasing pressure from both critics and sources who protected their anonymity with colorful African masks, attempted to divert attention from his use of Androstenedione by hitting another record-setting home run today. McGwire, 35, divorced his wife of six years in 1990 and then went into a terrible batting slump. Sources close to the Cardinals organization stated that Big Mac "has never quite recovered from that [year, and] I think [the home run chase] is all a [big show] to convince us ... he's [better] now." After the 62nd home run on Tuesday, McGwire's 10-year-old son Matthew was conveniently on hand to hug his father once he completed the trot around the bases. "Why wasn't that kid in school?" asked Chicago Cub pitcher Steve Traschel. "Does Mac think the rules don't apply to him?" Traschel's comments echoed criticism from some in the American League, who have always maintained that McGwire's relationship with his son is based solely on image. "Everyone around here knows Matthew just likes being the batboy and will do anything to avoid losing that position, including pretending to love his popeye-armed steroid freak of a father," said Billy "Puffy" Akers, who goes to school with Matthew and is a former Cardinals batboy. "It's a completely political relationship. Big Mac gets to look like a loving father; Matthew gets to be on TV." McGwire's use of the muscle-building supplements Androstenedione and Creatine has prompted controversy throughout the baseball world. Androstenedione is not illegal in baseball, but it has been banned by the Olympic Committee, NFL, NCAA and the Iditarod dogsled competition. Sources in McGwire's camp pointed out that "Andro," as hard users refer to the drug, is also legal in the NHL, NBA, Little League and competitive Scrabble. Perhaps showing that he may have stopped using Andro, McGwire's 62nd home run barely eked over Busch Stadium's left field wall, depriving St. Louis fans of the opportunity to finance their own drug habits by selling the ball. Hoping to minimize fan disappointment, the Cardinals will host Syringe Night on Sept. 22 against the Houston Astros. X X X X In other news, CNBC legal correspondent Greta Van Susteren is deciding whether to press charges against President Clinton after a misunderstanding that occurred at the White House yesterday afternoon, according to a report filed on the DEJA NEWS service. The incident took place after Van Susteren asked to meet privately with the president to discuss ways that he could "get off." © DRUDGE RETORT 1998 |