[clydepepper]

I am honest enough to say that I, like everyone I talked to back then, thoroughly enjoyed the homerun chase of 1998.

McGwire and Sosa were both easy to like and to cheer for.

It would have been easy enough to see the red flags, but we did not.

If Bud Selig got 'filthy rich' while 'overseeing' the steroid era...so did
EVERYONE else in MLB...even the pitchers serving them up.

The owners (for whom the commissioner works) all kept quiet while they raked in the big bucks, content with what was goin on.

It's very easy to have 20-20 hind-sight and I'm the first to admit that I
was pulled in by those who turned out to be cheaters.

These days, the two things that I hate the most about those times are
that McGwire lied to Mrs. Maris's face and Barry Bonds 'passed' the great
Hank Aaron...and, in doing so, he, along with all the other 'roiders' have
forever changed the way I look at the all-time HR list and even how often
I even check it.

I have greater appreciation for Griffey and Thome because I firmly believe that their totals were achieved without 'help'.

One thing I will not do is say that I did not enjoy all the homeruns at the
time they were being hit.

You guys need to get off your high horse and 'fess up.



hcry